Starting Out as a Tailor Apprentice? Here are the 7 Top Things You Should Know

Starting your journey as a tailor apprentice is a huge accomplishment. You are entering a field that integrates creativity, skill, and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit. The first few months, however, are not as easy as they may sound. With sore fingers, tricky calculations, and all sorts of difficult customers, many apprentices feel a little overwhelmed. You shouldn’t feel bad, because remember, every master tailor was once in your shoes. To help you learn quickly and avoid some of the more common mistakes that can lengthen your apprenticeship, we have put together some tips.

Patience Is Your Most Important Tool 

Apprentices in tailoring don’t have a time limit. That’s because it takes years to master the craft. You will sew crooked seams and make buttonholes that look terrible. That is learning. When you keep practicing and the progress you’re making feels like it is going exceedingly slow, that is the time to be patient. This can be the case for some beginners. 

Learn Fabric Types Before Complex Techniques

A lot of tailoring apprentices learn stitching skills first. This does not guarantee success. Knowing how a certain stitch reacts to a certain type of fabric is essential. Pairing the right stitch to the right fabric is the first step to using advanced techniques. Having a strong background in fabric is crucial to success. 

Familiarise yourself with fabric properties. Different fabrics have different properties. Not knowing these results in mistakes when starting client projects. Your knowledge of fabric will help you avoid mistakes when working with real clients.

Measuring Matters More Than You Think

One millimetre can ruin a garment. Seriously. As a tailor apprentice, accurate measurement is your most important skill. Always double-check measurements before cutting, write them down, and learn the difference between body measurements and garment measurements.

When your master corrects your measuring techniques, give him your utmost attention. This is the last step from being a novice tailor. If you are able to measure, everything will be easier.

Watch Everything Your Master Does

Do not obey instructions passively but be an observer. Watch how senior tailors pick up their scissors, how they tack cloth, how they deal with difficult customers. How to be a good apprentice tailor boils down to how to watch and learn from how the masters handle issues. When they correct an error, ask what prompted that action. When they turn down a project, ask what the rationale is. Observing and learning is a lesson that no textbook can teach.

Invest in Quality Basic Tools

When you are just starting out, you don’t need to buy the most expensive equipment. However, the tools that you use shouldn’t be the cheapest either. Make the right decisions and buy a pair of scissors made for cutting fabric, a measuring tape that doesn’t stretch, a few sharp needles, and some good sewing pins. These tools need to be the ones that you can rely on each and every single day, and it is your responsibility to buy tools that will help your progress rather than ones that will hold you back.

Read More: Hiring Your First Apprentice: 6 Red Flags to Dodge and a Foolproof Training Plan

Network With Fabric Sellers

The fabric seller can be more than just a salesperson; they can even become a great mentor. Fabric sellers know which kinds of materials will work best for certain types of projects. They also know where the special materials are, and they might give you a discount for being an apprentice. 

Always treat them nicely, ask them questions, and don’t buy from them just once. This will give you access to better materials for your projects, and it will give you better knowledge to help you work better in the future.

Start to Build Your Portfolio

Even while apprenticing, it’s a good idea to start documenting your work. Remember to take photos of your completed projects before client handover. These will become your portfolio once you open your own shop. Over time, you’ll have proof of your skill and progress to show future clients. It’s a good idea to form this habit early and to improve your portfolio, even if your early works aren’t masterpieces.

Your Journey Starts Now

Being a tailor apprentice is a difficult and highly rewarding experience. These are the basic tailor apprentice tips you need to get to the top of your game and become a master of the craft. No doubt, if you have fine skills, your services will be sought for everywhere. 

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