How employable are seamstresses?

CareerExplorer rates seamstresses with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Are seamstresses in demand?

The global marketplace has displaced once steady jobs for seamstresses and textile workers. Sewing on a large scale is done overseas. It is for this reason that the job outlook in this sector is projected to be below the average for all occupations. Most opportunities for seamstresses in the United States will be in self-employment or with independent, small business shops where customers bring articles of clothing for mending and other repairs. The decline in demand for seamstresses is due in part to general consumerism and the increased availability of low-cost clothing. Nowadays, rather than have it repaired, people are more likely to replace a damaged piece of clothing with something new. Therefore, skilled seamstresses who can diversify and offer clothing repair in conjunction with dressmaking or another specialization are likely to have the best employment prospects. Some jobs may be available with larger department or chain stores offering the services of a seamstress to perform alterations which may be needed on newly purchased items from the store. The high rate of retirement in the field is expected to contribute some job openings, as well. The number of openings for seamstresses will exceed the number of job seekers, indicating unremarkable long-term prospects for the occupation.