CAREER PROFILE CLOTHING ALTERATION HAND - Skillset

Clothing alteration hands
modify and repair items
of clothing. They may use
hand or machine sewing
techniques and will have
expert knowledge of
garment construction.
What does a clothing
alteration hand do
They may be involved in fastening
new zips, taking in or letting out
seams, shortening or lengthening
hems and replacing trims. Clothing
alteration hands may also work
on specialist pieces, such as
bridal gowns.
The salary of a clothing
alteration hand
When starting out, a clothing
alteration hand could expect to be
paid around £11,000 a year with
experience earning up to £16,000.
Supervisors could earn £22,000
a year or more.
Hours and working environment
Alteration hands usually work around
40 hours a week. Saturday work
is common for those employed in
laundries and dry-cleaners.
Part-time work and flexible hours
are very common.
A self-employed alteration hand
may have a small, home-based
workroom. Those based in a laundry
or dry-cleaners may have a small
workroom or working area within
the store. Workrooms are usually
warm and well-lit but can be small
and cramped.
Skills and interests
To have a career as a clothing
alteration hand, it is important to
have good sewing skills. These can
be obtained on a relevant course but
on-the-job experience is also very
valuable. The following skills and
interests would also be useful:
* an interest in fashion and a
knowledge of tends and fabrics
*
*
a focused approach to work with
attention to detail
to be self-motivated and able to
work alone and to deadlines
Entry into a career in
clothing alteration
Work-based learning qualifications
such as apprenticeships or NVQs are
a common way to get started as a
clothing alteration hand and many
companies will prefer candidates
to have a relevant qualification.
Check what options are available
at your local college or visit
www.abcawards.co.uk
Further training to develop a
career in clothing alteration
Mastering different sewing
techniques comes with experience.
It can be useful to work alongside
more experienced alteration hands
to enhance practical knowledge.
A wide range of short courses,
qualifications and workshops in
tailoring and garment production
are also available from the
London College of Fashion
www.fashion.arts.ac.uk.
Opportunities in the field of
clothing alteration
Opportunities for promotion may be
limited, although supervisory posts
may be available in larger companies
to those with the relevant experience.
Experienced alteration hands could
become self-employed and may
combine alteration work with design
and craft roles. Strong business
and marketing skills are useful for
those who become self-employed.
Experienced clothing alteration
hands may also move into teaching.
Case study
Gail Sharlotte has
worked at Johnson
Apparelmaster for 20
years as a clothing
alteration hand and
has always had a
passion for sewing.
When Gail started work,
no formal qualifications
were available in sewing
so learned most of her
skills on-the-job or at
school. Gail says “Don’t be
afraid to ask for help there
will always be someone
around to offer you tips
and advice. You need to
have a good eye for detail,
have an understanding
of garment construction
and be conscientious as
someone will have to wear
the garment you are
working on”.
Gail’s work is varied as she
may be repairing an arm
sleeve one minute and
attaching a new collar
the next. Gail says “I love
the work I do as it’s really
varied and interesting
with every garment
requiring something
different and I really look
forward to coming to work.”
For more information visit
www.skillfast-uk.org/generationf