How To Be A Master Tailor

Step 1: A love of the job

I became a tailor really by accident. I was awaiting a place having studied textiles. I was awaiting a place at Leeds University and, rather than wasting time, I applied for a job in Saville Row and just fell in love with the whole concept of bespoke tailoring. Much to my father's disgust, when I had my place, I gave it up to continue in tailoring.

Step 2: Dexterity

Dexterity - that is the ease in use of hands. It takes normally about six months to be able to use a needle and thimble adequately. Our craft is very involved. A tailor will spend certainly five years learning how to sew. If he goes on to do cutting , which is a very skilled job, it will be a further three years of training. But the rewards are absolutely tremendous. Not just in financial terms but also in terms of being able to produce something which is second to none.

Step 3: Good customer relations

Generally speaking if we make a new customer, he stays with us for the rest of his life and he becomes really a very close friend. And more often than not his children, and for me sometimes grandchildren, become clients of mine now.

Step 4: To solve problems

The ability to diagnose and resolve problems. Very often, for example with the balance of a coat, there could be five different causes for one problem and it's very necessary to determine immediately what the correct problem is in order to get the correct solution.

Step 5: Commitment

For me the worst part of the job is the weekends because I just love what I do and really I can't bear to live without my work. I think its absolutely great.