According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines. | 86% |
| Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades. | 86% |
| Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines. | 85% |
| Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit. | 85% |
| Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations. | 85% |
| Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements. | 85% |
| Trim excess material, using scissors. | 84% |
| Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines. | 83% |
| Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding. | 82% |
| Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed. | 82% |
| Repair or replace defective garment parts, such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings. | 82% |
| Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves. | 82% |
| Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines. | 81% |
| Fit, alter, repair, and make made-to-measure clothing, according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit, and applying principles of garment design, construction, and styling. | 81% |
| Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements. | 80% |
| Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors. | 80% |
| Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments. | 79% |
| Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired. | 79% |
| Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed. | 78% |
| Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric. | 78% |
| Put in padding and shaping materials. | 74% |
| Sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments. | 71% |
