What will I be doing?

There are about 12,000 full-time tailors in the U.S. A tailor makes, alters and enhances clothing for others. If you have the skills and the experience to offer these services, consider starting your own tailor service.

What will I need to start?

Besides skills in alterations and clothing making, tailors also need to know how to work with customers. One tailor specializes in helping executives. She goes to the executive’s office for the fitting and, once done, delivers the custom-tailored clothing to the office.

If you have experience in this trade, you probably already have the tools you’ll need. Many tailors have a second set of basic tools they use on the road.

Who will my customers be?

Customers for your tailor service include individuals, clothing resellers and alteration shops. You can specialize in suits, for example, and offer your services to alteration shops that may not have anyone on staff to do the work.