dressmaker
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /drˈɛsmeɪkə/
US
- /ˈdrɛsˌmeɪkər/
Description
- seamstress
- maker of dresses
- custom clothing maker
Imagine a time before fast fashion, when clothes were made to fit one person well. That is where a dressmaker comes in. A dressmaker is a person who makes dresses and other clothing, especially women's clothing, for individual customers. The word often suggests custom work, careful sewing, and a good fit. While a tailor is often linked with suits and men's clothing, a dressmaker traditionally works more with dresses, skirts, blouses, or wedding wear. You might picture someone working in a small shop, helping a client choose fabric, taking measurements, and slowly turning cloth into something personal.
The word "dressmaker" brings to mind careful handwork and clothing made for a real person, not for a store rack. A dressmaker is someone who makes dresses and often other items of clothing, especially women's clothing, for individual customers. The work usually involves measuring the client, choosing or adjusting a pattern, cutting fabric, sewing the pieces together, and making changes until the fit is right.
Traditionally, the term was used for a person who specialized in women's garments such as dresses, skirts, blouses, and coats. A tailor was more often linked with suits, jackets, and other structured clothing, especially for men. In modern use, the line is not always strict, but "dressmaker" still strongly suggests custom-made dresses or similar clothing.
A dressmaker does more than sew. They may talk with clients about style, fabric, shape, and small details. They might make a pattern from scratch, change an existing one, fit the garment during the process, and add final details such as buttons, lace, or other decoration. The word can also appear in historical stories, where people visit a local dressmaker instead of buying ready-made clothes.
Today, dressmakers still work in areas such as bridal wear, formalwear, costume making, and custom clothing. So when you hear "dressmaker," think of someone who turns fabric into clothing that is made with care, shaped for one person, and meant to fit both the body and the occasion.
Examples
- 1
Profession
My grandmother worked as a dressmaker for most of her life.
Meaning
dressmaker
a person who makes dresses professionally, often for customers
- 2
Wedding dress
She took the fabric to a dressmaker and asked for a simple wedding dress.
- 3
Historical clothing
In the past, many women went to local dressmakers instead of buying ready-made clothes.
Phrase
ready-made clothes
clothes made in standard sizes, not specially made for one person
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- dressmakernoun
Forms
- dressmakerspluralnoun