Generally, a seamstress sews clothes, fabrics and apparel for a living. A tailor works at altering clothing and apparel to fit a client/customer. They can make clothes as well and might be tasked with hemming and mending. Usually, a tailor will work more with suits and coats and even fancy dresses such as ball gowns.
I do a mixture of both, just ask and I can get it done.
Tailors perform the following duties:
- Taking client measurements
- Mending and hemming garments
- Removing and adding seams
- Pinning garments
- Repairing rips in garments
- Providing time and cost estimates to customers
- Cutting and measuring fabric and other textiles
- Sewing garments using sewing machines or needle and thread
- Fitting garments for customers and recommending alterations
- Making final adjustments for fashion shows and special events
A seamstress or seamster performs many of the same functions as a tailor but may also have specialized skills, including:
- Measuring and fitting customers
- Hemming and making other alterations
- Hand-sewing and using a sewing machine
- Marking garments and items for alterations
- Constructing garments and other items out of fabric and other materials
- Baste stitching
- Crocheting
- Petit pointing
- Tatting
- Hand-beading
- Adding closures, such as zippers, buttons and fasteners
- Placing embellishments
- Using design templates and patterns
- Discussing garment plans with fashion designers, producers and costume designers
- Creating and following client order forms
- Steaming and pressing garments and other items
- Repairing fabric rips and tears
- Communicating project status to customers