What Is a Seamstress?

A seamstress is a woman who is skilled at sewing, and makes her living by doing so. Seamstresses may make clothing and alterations.

Definition

A seamstress is a woman who makes a living by sewing. It can include making clothes or any other items made of cloth, as well as repairing or altering them.

Duties

Seamstresses work with fabrics of all kinds, including clothing, linens or upholstery fabric. They sew things from scratch, redesign garments, and make alterations or repairs.

Required Knowledge

A seamstress must have a strong knowledge of fabrics, linings, patterns and fasteners, like zippers and buttons. They must be highly skilled at sewing, both by hand and using a sewing machine.

History

Seamstress has been a traditional occupation for women, dating back to the late Stone Age. The term "seamstress" first came into use in the late 1500s.

Famous Seamstresses

Betsy Ross is well known for constructing the first United States flag in 1776. American civil rights activist Rosa Parks was a seamstress in Montgomery, Ala.

Other Word Forms & Variations

A male in this occupation is called a seamster or tailor. Variations on the words include "sempster" and "sempstress."

References

• Seamstress, Webster's Third New International Dictionary Unabridged
• About Seamstresses
• Definition of Seamstress