Dressmaking refers to the craft of sewing clothes and dresses. It is the art of sewing a beautiful dress from fabric.

The difference between a dressmaker and a tailor is that a dressmaker specializes in clothes for women including
dresses and blouses, suits, evening wear, wedding and bridesmaids gowns, and sportswear, while a tailor makes
clothes for men, such as suits, jackets, and coats. Tailors and dressmakers can both perform simple alterations from
adjusting hemlines in repairing a split seam on any garment that requires repair.

Dressmaking History
During the ancient times, some people did not able to consider dressmaking as one of the areas in
TVL for the reason that they did not have the idea as to what are the things that can contribute to themselves .In
some other way, as what they have observed that some people who were already engaged in this learning area, find a
way on how to earn a living. Thus, through learning some skills and theories about it, it can contribute a lot to the
development of oneself. Since dressmaking is an old profession, some historians argued that its history goes back
upon the invention of the needles. Finally, dressmaking as a career became very popular and common in their place
once woven fabrics like linen and silk became the norm.

History of Tailoring
Tailoring is the art of designing, fitting, fabricating, and finishing garments. The word “tailor”
comes from a French word - “TAILLER”- meaning “ to cut “. The Latin word for tailor was “SARTOR” meaning
someone who patches or mends garments. Then the English word “sartorial”, which is related to tailored garments,
is derived from this word. Today the word “tailor” generally refers to someone who creates custom men’s clothing
and perform some repairs.

Importance of Dressmaking

1. Dressmakers are the ones who can make impressive dresses out of any fabric.
2. They are great designers creating different trends.
3. Dressmakers create different concepts and think out of the latest fashion.
4. They the ones who can make any dream gown or dress a reality.
5. Dressmakers help in enhancing their body assets and their flows.
In studying dressmaking helps you to become a good entrepreneur in the near future, can establish a shop and at the
same time it can develop your skills.
Sewing Tools are instruments that aid in accomplishing a sewing task.
These are those which don’t require the use of electricity. These are used manually or by hand.

Sewing equipment is needed for sewing which aid in construction of garments of good quality and appearance.
These are those which require the use of electricity such as the sewing machine.

Sewing Kit is a small package containing items, such as threads, pins, needles, etc. that you need to sew something.

Classification of Sewing Tools and Materials

Measuring Tools
Measuring tools are instruments used for obtaining quantities, dimension or forces of real world objects. They are
also tools used to differentiate distances on particular materials or objects.

1. Tape Measure

It is also known as tapeline. It is made of non- stretchable strip used in taking body measurements.
It measures 150 centimeters in the front side and 60 inches on the other side.
2. Sewing Gauge
It is a small ruler with a sliding guide and is about six inches long, used to measure small hem areas and short
distances like hem folds, pleats, seam allowance, buttonholes, and tucks.

3. Ruler
This is the most common measuring device usually 12 inches long. It is used for general marking.
It aids in connecting lines.

4.Yardstick
It is used for general marking and for measuring fabric grainline when
laying out the pattern. This is a one-meter long wooden stick and is used to
measure fabric length by yard or meter.

Cutting Tools
Cutting tools are cutting implements- tools for cutting. These are instruments that serve well if properly
maintained. They should not be used for other household task. They must be sharpened regularly and the joints are
oiled occasionally for better use. In other words, they should be kept in good working order for periodic sharpening.
Sharp cutting tools make clean cuts and well-defined notches and they do not damage fabric. On the other hand,
Dull tools slow the cutting process and make your hand and wrist tire easily.
1. Shears
These are for cutting fabric, paper and other materials.
Types:
a. Cutting shears has blades that are straight and best for cutting fabrics usually 7-12 inches long.
b. Pinking shears has a zigzag edge used to cut the edge of seam allowance of fabric that does not ravel. It is used
also for cutting decorative materials.
c. Scalloping shears is a tool that has scallop blades used to cut parts of garments with series of uniform scallops.
2. Trimming Scissors
These are 3-4 inches long used for trimmings, clipping threads and snipping slashes.

3. Buttonhole scissors
These are intended for making buttonholes.

4. Seam ripper
This tool is intended for cutting off or ripping out stitches from seam either as a result of an error or during
alterations.

5. Thread clipper
It is a handy little spring loaded cutting tool
that allows for the snipping of threads.

6. Rotary Cutter and Mat

These are used by the garment industry. It works
like a pizza cutter and can be used by left or right handed
sewers. It works on a cutting mat to protect the blade
and the cutting surface.

Marking Tools
Marking tools are required for transferring pattern markings to garment fabric pieces and for making alterations on
garments.

1. Tailor’s Chalk
This is essential as a marker for use on materials.
It is available in a variety of colors and is used to mark the fabric. It is made of hard chalk and can be removed by
brushing.

2. Tracing Wheel
This is an instrument with serrated edge wheel that produces dots on the fabric. The smooth one creates a straight,
solid line.

3. Dressmaker’s Carbon Paper

It is a specially waxed carbon paper that transfers the tracing wheel’s markings to the fabric. This is available in
different brands with different instructions.

4. Chalk Pencils/Dressmaker Pencil

This is available in white or pastel shades. This is used to make fine lines on fabric. It has an erasing brush at one
end.

5. Liquid Marking Pen

It comes in two types. The one that washes out and it should not be used on fabric that show water marks. Another
one is that fades after 48 hours. The mark should be removed pressing the fabric.

6. Wax chalk
This is available in black or white and is used for woolen fabrics. Wax can be removed by pressing.

Pinning and Sewing Tool

Pinning tools are devices used to fastened or designed to pierce on the fabrics or any materials, or to joined two or
more garment parts temporarily while doing sewing operation.

1. Pin cushion
It is a cushion available in different shapes and colors used to hold pins and needles to prevent them from accidents
and scattering in the workplace.
2. Hand Needle
These are available in different sizes and used for temporary stitches, hemming, and other sewing purposes.
Sizes are 7 to 10.

3. Sewing Needle Threader

This is a diamond shaped wire attached to a handle and wire used to insert thread through the needle eye. It consists
of two parts; the handle and the wire.

4. Thimble - This is a small cup placed on the tip of the middle finger to protect it from being pricked by the needle
while sewing. It is made of metal or plastic.

Pressing Tools
These are tools used to make the fabrics or materials smooth, to give a form or shape, to remove crease or wrinkles
with the application of heat, moisture and pressure.
 It involves No sliding of iron.

Flat Iron
It is a roughly triangular flat surface that is heated used to press clothes to remove wrinkles, flatten seams, crease
hems.

Sewing machine is an equipment which is very indispensable in any sewing activity, whether it be repairing,
altering clothes, or recycling household article. It is a textile machine used to sew, stitch fabrics and other materials
together with thread and needle. Special care should be given.
 PARTS OF THE SEWING MACHINE IN THE ARM AND HEAD

Color Theory

The color of the garment is usually the first reason to attract you. You should know the best color combination for
your design. You must study the color wheel on how to match color with its intensity and value. And you must also
learn the terms and rules that apply to colors.

Primary Colors – the sources of all colors. Thousands of colors in the world, they are all made up of these colors –
red, blue and yellow.

Secondary Colors – are produced when mixing two equal amounts of primary colors. These colors are – orange,
green and violet.
 Types of Hazard

1. A chemical hazard is any substance that can cause harm primarily to people.

2. An electrical hazard can be defined as a dangerous condition where a worker could make electrical contact with
energized equipment or a conductor, and from which the person may sustain an injury from shock; and/or, there is
potential for the worker to receive an arc flash burn, thermal burn, or blast injury.

3. Ergonomic hazards include:

 improper adjusted workstations and chairs;

 frequent lifting;

 poor posture;

 awkward movements;

 using too much force;

 vibration.

4. Psychological hazard relates to mental health and behavioral disorders.

5. Radiation Hazard (RADHAZ) describes the hazards of electromagnetic radiation to fuels, electronic hardware,
ordinance, and personnel. In the military these hazards are segregated as follows:

a) Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Personnel (HERP)

b) Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO)

c) Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Fuel (HERF)

6. A biological hazard or biohazard is anything coming from living organisms.

7. Physical hazards are those substances which threaten your physical safety.