Description
Alter wearing apparel repairing or adjusting it to the clients/manufacturing specifications. Perform altering by hand or using equipment.
Alternative labels
alter garments
fit clothing
adjust wearing apparel
fit wearing apparel
adjust clothing
repair garments
repair clothing
fit garments
repair wearing apparel
adjust garments
wearing apparel alteration
alter clothing
Skill type
skill/competence
Skill reusability level
sector-specific
Relationships with occupations
Essential skill
Alter wearing apparel is an essential skill of the following occupations:
Clothing product grader: Clothing product graders produce patterns in different sizes (i.e. scaled-up and scaled-down) to reproduce the same wearing apparel in different sizes. They draft patterns by hand or using software following size charts.
Wearing apparel patternmaker: Wearing apparel patternmakers interpret design sketches and cut patterns for all kinds of wearing apparel using various handtools or industrial machines complying customer requirements. They make sampling and prototypes in order to produce series of patterns of wearing apparel in different sizes.
Clothing technologist: Clothing technologists work on the design, development and production of textile and apparel products. They carry out a range of technical, investigative and quality control work to ensure the end product (from clothing to household up to industrial textiles). They perform to specifications, improve production efficiency and quality while liaising with those involved in the production process. They liaise with designers, adapt designs to suit production methods, make and size pre-production garments, source fabrics and accessories, undertake quality evaluations of materials and check the quality of the final product, and consider ecological aspects.
Wearing apparel presser: Wearing apparel pressers use steam irons, vacuum pressers, or hand pressers to shape wearing apparel.
Sewing machinist: Sewing machinists sew components of wearing apparel together. They can repair and renovate wearing apparel by hand or by using a different sewing machines.Â
Dressmaker: Dressmakers design, make or fit, alter, repair tailored, bespoke or hand-made garments from textile fabrics, light leather, fur and other material for women and children. They produce made-to-measure wearing apparel according to customer’s or garment manufacturer’s specifications. They are able to read and understand size charts, details surrounding finished measurements etc.
Sewing machine operator: Sewing machine operators tend specific sewing machines in the industrial production chain of wearing apparel. They perform operations such as joining, assembling, reinforcing, repairing, and altering of wearing apparel.
Tailor: Tailors design, make or fit, alter, repair tailored, bespoke or hand-made garments from textile fabrics, light leather, fur and other material, or make hats or wigs for men. They produce made-to-measure wearing apparel according to customer’s or garment manufacturer’s specifications. They are able to read and understand size charts, details surrounding finished measurements etc.
Clothing sample machinist: Clothing sample machinist create the first made-up sample of a garment design. They resolve regarding the makeup of garments taking into consideration bulk production to ensure sealing samples are ready on time.
They press finished garments and make quality control checks.Â
Clothing fashion designer: Fashion designers create concepts and make sketches by hand or using softwares of their creative ideas. They analyse and interpret fashion trends in order to propose new ideas with high aesthetical value. They perform forecasting and market research to put together collections. They build collection lines by operating mood or concept boards, colour palettes, materials, drawings and sketches considering among others ergonomical criteria, etc.
Clothing alteration machinist: Clothing alteration machinists ensure the alteration of finished garments in line with business demands. They are responsible for the quality of any alterations or customisations and brand generic stock in line with customer branding guidelines.
Optional skill
Alter wearing apparel is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this skill may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.
Clothing finisher: Clothing finishers set haberdasheries (e.g. bottoms, zips, and ribbons) and cut threads. They weigh, pack, label materials and products.
References
- Alter wearing apparel – ESCO