,
Breton seamstresses in a shop (1854). Before the
Industrial Revolution, a seamstress did hand sewing. '' by
Richard Redgrave, 1844 • "Dressmaker" denotes clothing made in the
style of a dressmaker, frequently in the term "dressmaker details", which includes
ruffles,
frills,
ribbon or
braid trim. "Dressmaker" in this sense is contrasted to "
tailored" and has fallen out of use since the rise of
casual wear in the mid-20th century. •
Mantua-maker, in the 18th century a maker of
mantuas, or in general a dressmaker. •
Modiste, a maker of fashionable clothing and accessories, with the implication that the articles made reflect the current
Paris fashions. •
Fabrician, a person who is considered an expert in making modifications and alterations to fabrics and other articles of clothing. •
Sewing professional is the most general term for those who make their living by sewing, teaching, writing about sewing, or retailing sewing supplies. A sewing professional may work out of the home, a studio, or a retail shop and work part-time or full-time. This work may include any or all of the following sub-specialties: • A
custom clothier makes custom garments one at a time, to order, to meet an individual customer's needs and preferences. • A
custom dressmaker specializes in women's custom apparel, including day dresses, career wear, suits, evening or bridal wear, sportswear, or lingerie. • A
tailor/tailoress makes custom menswear-style jackets and the skirts or trousers that go with them for men or women. • An
alterations specialist or
alterationist adjusts the fit of completed garments, usually ready-to-wear, or restyles them. Note that while all tailors can do alterations, by no means can all alterationists do tailoring. •
Designers choose combinations of line, proportion, color, and texture for intended garments. They may have no sewing or patternmaking skills and only sketch or conceptualize garments. •
Patternmakers flat draft the shapes and sizes of numerous pieces of a garment by hand using paper and measuring tools, computer using CAD software, or by draping muslin on a dress form. • A
wardrobe consultant or
fashion advisor recommends styles and colors for a client. • A
seamstress is a woman who sews, especially one who earns a living by sewing. Before the
Industrial Revolution, a seamstress did hand sewing, especially under the
putting-out system. Older variants are
seamster and
sempstress. • A
costume designer is a person who designs costumes for a film, stage production, or television show. ==See also==