High School
Get as much experience as possible by taking sewing, tailoring, and clothing classes that are offered by vocational or family and consumer science departments. There are also a number of institutions that offer either on-site or home-study courses in sewing and dressmaking. Art classes in sketching and design are also helpful. Math classes, such as algebra and geometry, will help hone your abilities to work with numbers and to visualize shapes.
Postsecondary Training
Tailors and dressmakers must have at least a high school education, although employers prefer college graduates with advanced training in sewing, tailoring, draping, patternmaking, and design. A limited number of schools and colleges in the United States offer this type of training, including Thomas Jefferson University, the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and Parsons School for Design, also in New York. Students who are interested in furthering their career, and perhaps expanding from tailoring into design, may want to consider studying in one of these specialized institutions. It is, however, entirely possible to enter this field without a college degree.
Some aspiring tailors and dressmakers train for the field by completing apprenticeships with experienced workers.
Certification
Certificate programs in sewing, tailoring, draping, patternmaking, and fashion design are offered by colleges and universities. For example, Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, offers an apparel construction certificate program. To earn the certificate, students must complete the following courses: Industrial Sewing Methods, Flat Pattern I and II, Apparel Design and Construction, Advanced Industrial Sewing Methods, and Draping. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.
Other Education or Training
The Association of Sewing and Design Professionals offers educational workshops and presentations at its annual educational conference (https://sewingprofessionals.com/conference). PatternReview (https://sewing.patternreview.com) offers sewing classes on its Web site.
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