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51-6052.00 · Task explorer

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

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This source lists 22 tasks, including 22 marked Core and 0 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2020.

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22 tasks shown

Core · Task 12177 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.

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Core · Task 12181 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.

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Core · Task 12176 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.

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Core · Task 12179 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.

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Core · Task 12190 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.

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Core · Task 12175 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.

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Core · Task 12187 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Trim excess material, using scissors.

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Core · Task 12180 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.

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Core · Task 12189 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.

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Core · Task 12185 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.

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Core · Task 12178 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves.

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Core · Task 12192 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Repair or replace defective garment parts, such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings.

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Core · Task 12186 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines.

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Core · Task 12184 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

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.

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Core · Task 12191 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements.

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Core · Task 12194 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors.

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Core · Task 12182 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments.

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Core · Task 12193 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired.

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Core · Task 12183 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed.

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Core · Task 12188 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric.

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Core · Task 12196 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Put in padding and shaping materials.

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Core · Task 12195 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.