TLE 7/8

Dressmaking / Tailoring
Module 1 - Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies

Lesson 1 - Basic Concepts in Dressmaking

Dressmaking refers to the craft of sewing clothes and dresses. It is the art of sewing a beautiful dress from fabric.
Since dressmaking plays an important role in one’s life, this module helps you become more competitive by developing
your skills and competencies in earning a living. Here are some samples of the common dressmaking/tailoring products.

Definition of Dressmaking
The craft of sewing clothes and dresses is otherwise known as dressmaking and it is the art of sewing a beautiful
dress from fabric.

Difference between Dressmaker and a Tailor

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
1803 - Oxford English Dictionary first recorded “dressmaker”
- Paris, London, other fashion centers
- Most women who did not make their own clothes at home employed a dressmaker
- Based on printed illustrations called fashion plates.

650,000 years ago - Ancestors covered their bodies with animal fur and skin as well as barks and leaves of trees
- The main purpose was simply to protect fragile human body against the rain, sun, wind and
cold.
- Primitive clothes were tied up or wrapped around the bodies as people went foraging for food.

19,000 years ago - Evidence of needles made of bones and ivory

6,000 years ago - Woven textiles (linen) were found in Egypt

5,000 years ago - Silk culture in China

- Early beginning of dressmaking

Silk Road - Gives significant role in trading in China, India, Egypt, Rome and Mesopotamia

Greek and Roman - clothes were simple lengths of wool or linen secured at the shoulders with sashes used as
belts.
- Peplos (a loose ankle-length robe worn by women)
- Chlamys (a knee-length robes worn by men)
- Himation (covered with a loose cloak)

Middle Age - Byzantines dress themselves with richly patterned, embroidered clothes draped over a tunica,
tree replacement of toga.

Later Middle Ages - 14th century, the start of European Fashion

- People now used lacings and buttons
- Expensive silk from Italy
- The beginning of Tailoring
19th Century - Sewing Machine was invented

20th Century - Synthetic fiber rayon was discovered

After World War II - No stopping of fashion in fashion capitals in the world (Paris, Rome, New York and London)

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.

The Importance of Dressmaking in our Daily Lives

1. Clothing is one of the basic needs in our daily lives and is an important part of our society.
2. People practice self-expression by the clothes they wear.
3. We should lean atleast the basic sewing for us to create or fix our own clothes and garments.
4. People make careers out of studying clothes and fashion.

Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs)

Characteristics of a good dressmaker:

1. Confident. Trust yourself that you can produce a good output and let themselves appreciate it.
2. Systematic. A successful dressmaker should be knowledgeable enough in using his/her tools and equipment. He/she
can finish his work on time without wastage of time and available resources.
3. Persistent. A dressmaker should be self-determined and willing to come up with a good quality garments.
4. Accurate. A successful dressmaker should be precise enough in taking body measurements to the clients, draft
patterns and sew the garments .
5. Patient. A dressmaker should accept client’s requests without any complain and it should be considered the situation
as a great challenge.
6. Opportunity Seeker. With the skills learned and acquired in school, you have to develop the ability to look for a place
or establishments for shops like schools, offices, markets, wherein you can sell your products or offer your services.
7. Efficient. A responsible dressmaker keeps on striving for excellence, making each work an improved one compare to
the previous.
8. Committed. A successful entrepreneur is committed and dedicated to one’s work.
9. Cheerful. This means a happy and smiling appearance create a positive mood.