Annual Salary
£0 to £0
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
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Swap to Performing arts or Games or go back to all job sectors
Dressmakers create and alter clothing like dresses, trousers and shirts for their customers.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: in your own business; managing your own hours
There will be
4.8% fewer Dressmaker jobs in 2027.
You could:
You could work in a workshop or from home.
You can get into this job through:
You could take a college course before looking for work. Courses include:
You may need:
You could get into this job through a garment maker advanced apprenticeship.
You may be able to gain some of the skills you would need through a sewing machinist intermediate apprenticeship.
You'll usually need:
You can apply directly to work as a dressmaker. You would need experience and the ability to demonstrate to employers and clients that you have the skills they are looking for.
You can find short courses in dressmaking techniques at adult education centres and with private training providers. These include how to use a sewing machine, pattern making and pattern cutting, They may not lead to a qualification, but they will teach you some of the skills needed for this kind of work.
Some dressmakers teach themselves through online guides or books.
You can find out more about working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.
With experience you could take on a supervisory role, move into a related career like fashion or textile buying, or become self-employed.
You could specialise in making or altering particular garments like children's clothes, dance costumes or wedding dresses.
You could also work in costume production for theatre, TV and film.
You'll need: