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Dress-making in History:
Although most people had a family member to make their clothes, some people had a
knack for making clothes that looked a little better, fit a little better, and knew where
to get the better fabrics & trims. Others in the community started coming to them to
have their most important clothing made. This was the start of the dress-making
trade. Until the 20th century, most ordinary folks entrusted their best clothes to a
professional. It has been only recently that ready-made clothing has surpassed this
time-honored tradition and the many times the sizing standard has been changed
attests to how well “off-the rack” has worked. With sewing considered “women’s
work” dress-making was a natural choice for women who needed a profession. The
type of salon she offered would vary with her resources, her customer’s needs, and
the size of workshop she could run. Many were run out of the dress-maker’s home,
and some were defiantly a family business, incorporating every family member. Men
did find a place in dress-making, some making a transition from tailoring, or as a
cutter/draper in a large enterprise. Some men found a place assisting women dress-
makers in establishing credit, as fabric and notions suppliers, importers, or buyers, and
as collections agents for tardy bills.
Contact Us:
via email: ivywolfdesign@history-dressmaker.com
via phone: (301) 678-3713