How to become a tailor, dressmaker, furrier or milliner
Official title: Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners
Also called: Tailor, Furrier, Milliner, Dressmaker, Fur tailor, Shop tailor, Custom tailor, Master tailor, Custom furrier, Tailor supervisor, Alterations dressmaker, Ready-to-wear garment tailor
Tailors, dressmakers and furriers make, alter and repair tailored clothing, dresses, coats and other made-to-measure garments. Milliners make, alter and repair hats. This unit group also includes alterationists who fit, alter and repair garments. They are employed by clothing retailers, clothing alteration shops, dry cleaners and garment manufacturing companies or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Tailors, dressmakers and alterationists
- Make made-to-measure garments, such as dresses, suits and coats according to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications and fit
- Design, select and/or modify commercial patterns to customers' and clothing manufacturers' specifications
- Fit, mark, cut and sew fabric
- Fit, alter and repair garments according to customers' requests by hand or using sewing machines
- Furriers
- Make, alter, restyle and repair natural fur garments and accessories
- Milliners
How to become one
Completion of secondary school may be required. Tailors and dressmakers require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit men's or women's garments and may require completion of college or other courses in tailoring or dressmaking. Furriers require several years of experience in selecting pelts and making, fitting, styling and altering fur garments and accessories. Milliners require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit hats and caps. Alterationists require demonstrated ability to sew, alter and repair garments.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $37,050 a year The middle half earn $34,125 to $42,900.
- About 12,600 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 12,800 are projected by 2033. (+1.6%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a tailor, dressmaker, furrier or milliner?
Completion of secondary school may be required. Tailors and dressmakers require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit men's or women's garments and may require completion of college or other courses in tailoring or dressmaking. Furriers require several years of experience in selecting pelts and making, fitting, styling and altering fur garments and accessories. Milliners require demonstrated ability to sew, style and fit hats and caps. Alterationists require demonstrated ability to sew, alter and repair garments.
How much does a tailor, dressmaker, furrier or milliner earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $37,050 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $34,125 to $42,900.
Is a tailor, dressmaker, furrier or milliner a growing career in Canada?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2033: about 12,600 people now and 12,800 later (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a tailor, dressmaker, furrier or milliner?
Usually not. Only 9% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03