Carving out a career as a seamstress
Becoming aprofessional seamstress, or seamster, as males are called, requires much more than being adept with a needle and thread. Seamstresses must be able to read and cut out patterns, know how to work with different types and weights of fabrics, adjusting their sewing machines accordingly, and so much more. A successful seamstress, or seamster, will have in-depth knowledge of all the aspects of the craft of sewing.
People who employ a seamstress to alter or repair their clothing are generally quite fussy about their appearance. They have an appreciation for wrinkle-free, straight seams, perfect fit and, with respect to the dressmakers they might employ, creativity and originality.
The career of a seamstress can run the gamut from doing alterations out of the home to being a world class designer of high fashion items. Seamstresses and seamsters might be self-employed, work for a business or perform their craft on an individual client contract basis.
Qualifications needed to become a seamstress:
A person who can wield a needle with skill could be self-taught, but to acquire professional credentials might take classes in a fashion or trade school. Some seamstresses get their start by working for a business as an apprentice.
Those who desire a higher level of compensation might take advanced courses and acquire a bachelor’s degree in fashion design. A professional seamstress might also have a combined degree in fashion design and merchandising.
As with all professions, the higher the education and experience, the greater potential for a higher level of compensation for the seamstress or seamster.
A person aspiring to carve out a successful career in sewing might need to possess the following:
A person who likes to sew and has a genuine talent for that activity always has a means of support literally in her/his hands. Even if a dream of becoming a world famous dress designer never comes to fruition, there will always be a demand for qualified sewers to make alterations, and custom design clothing for others.
