Making A Career Out Of The Oldest of All Textile Arts: Sewing Degree
Sewing is a wonderful hobby, but by increasing your knowledge and skills of the field through formal studies, it can also become a viable career. If you would love to make a living through sewing then completing a course to become a professional seamstress is a great way to do it. Sewing is a great skill to have if you would like to earn extra money by working from home creating or altering garments. It is also a skill that is useful in numerous professional industries, so the possibility exists of turning your hobby into your career.
Sewing Degree Information
There are numerous courses and classes available online that focus on sewing, but for a degree you will have to pick a course such as Associate of Applied Science in Fashion Design or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design, as these include sewing components. With a fashion design degree you will learn not only sewing skills, but also pattern drafting, design and the construction of different types of apparel.
Sewing Degree FAQs
Is It Possible To Study Sewing Online?
Online classes in sewing are available, but you will need your own equipment to participate. These typically include a computer with internet access as well as a sewing machine. Special software might also be required depending on the type of lessons. Course materials can include everything from text based instructions to video tutorials, which you can then observe while working on your own sewing machine. Some courses also assign an online tutor to assist you with the learning process while providing feedback and monitoring your progress.
Who Is An Ideal Candidate To Study Sewing?
To excel in sewing it helps if you have a passion for it and love working with your hands. It is also ideal for people who are very creative and has a keen interest in the fashion industry. Since sewing is a skill that you learn it is important to be dedicated and willing to learn without giving up as it can be difficult. Manual dexterity is equally important, as is being able to pay attention to detail. If you plan on going into business for yourself with your sewing ability, then customer-service skills will be to your advantage.
What Are The Possible Career Options After Studying Sewing?
After mastering the art of sewing there are a couple of options available to those who want to turn it into a career instead of just a hobby. Those who are good at sewing often go on to work in the fashion industry where they create or alter garments. Others go into business for themselves by focusing on a smaller client base and tailoring or altering clothing articles. There are a variety of different industries that have a need for seamstresses, dressmakers and tailors, such as theaters or film companies.
What Are The Benefits To Studying In This Field?
Even if you have already mastered the basics of sewing you can refine your skills by completing professional courses. It can also provide you with the confidence that you need in order to begin your own business. In most cases you can also learn valuable information about safety issues or technical machine information. While you are studying you can simultaneously build up a portfolio of your work, which can come in handy when seeking employment.
What Type of Responsibilities Might I Have When Working In The Sewing Industry?
Sewers have various responsibilities, depending on the industry in which they work. Primarily you might be responsible for the cutting, trimming and stitching of clothing or other articles, such as bags or shoes. When working for yourself, you might also have to take accurate measurements of your clients, communicate with them about designs or materials and then sew clothes by hand or with a sewing machine.
How Much Can I Potentially Earn In This Field?
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, tailors, dressmakers and custom sewers tend to work in clothing stores or personal and household goods repair and maintenance industries. Other industries include dry-cleaning and laundry services, department stores and cut and sew apparel manufacturing. Your income potential will depend on where you are employed, but figures for 2019 indicate a mean hourly wage of $16.60, which translates to a mean annual wage of $34,530. Hand sewers appear to earn a mean annual wage of about $31,020, although this figure is higher in states such as Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey and Washington. Those who continue their education and put their sewing skills to good use as fashion designers can potentially earn a median pay of $73,790 per year.
