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How exposed to AI is a Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewer?

Of the 22 tasks O*NET lists for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 19 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Alterations ExpertAlterations SewerBridal DesignerClothing Pattern DesignerCustom DressmakerCustom SewerCustom TailorDressmakerSeamstressTailor
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
22
tasks rated for this occupation
9%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 18
17k
people do this job in the US
51 of 107
least protected in production

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

3
  • Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements
  • Estimate how much a garment will cost to make, based on factors such as time and material requirements
  • Develop, copy, or adapt designs for garments, and design patterns to fit measurements, applying knowledge of garment design, construction, styling, and fabric

Cannot be sped up

19
  • Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines
  • Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades
  • Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines
  • Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit
  • Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations
  • Trim excess material, using scissors
  • Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines
  • Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding
  • Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed
  • Take up or let down hems to shorten or lengthen garment parts, such as sleeves
  • Repair or replace defective garment parts, such as pockets, zippers, snaps, buttons, and linings
  • Press garments, using hand irons or pressing machines
  • Fit, alter, repair, and make made-to-measure clothing, according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit, and applying principles of garment design, construction, and styling
  • Position patterns of garment parts on fabric, and cut fabric along outlines, using scissors
  • Record required alterations and instructions on tags, and attach them to garments
  • Confer with customers to determine types of material and garment styles desired
  • Examine tags on garments to determine alterations that are needed
  • Put in padding and shaping materials
  • Sew buttonholes and attach buttons to finish garments
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.