Bridal And Clothing Alterations Seamstress/Tailor, Fitter

Master Seamstress/Tailor and Fitter
Expert Sewing Professional

Are you passionate about clothes that fit? Do you have an attention to detail and strong work ethic? Are you looking for a collaborative and creative place to work? Join us at Sugarcane Studios where we do professional sewing work with a personal touch.

The Company:

Sugarcane Studios is a small, professional sewing studio that serves the local Asheville, NC community by offering high-quality sewing services of all types. What started as a one-woman business is growing steadily and now has a small, but mighty staff. We specialize in Bridal and formalwear, but also do general alterations, make custom clothing, build a variety of costumes, and take on other creative projects as they come up. The work is varied and interesting, [but challenging] and always of the highest, professional quality. We move at a fast pace and always have a full-schedule. We love challenging projects and showing our community the value of high-level sewing.

• We believe in openness, communication, quality work, and a supportive environment.
• We search for the most creative, dedicated, and hard-working people
• We are constantly striving to improve and better ourselves and our work so that we can better support our clients.
• If you have a growth mindset and you thrive under pressure, you are probably a great fit for our team!
• We are looking to expand our team and add an expert tailor who shares the same drive, passion, and commitment as our current staff.

The Position:

We are looking for an experienced Seamstress/Tailor who has fitting experience, good communication skills and loves to work on a team. Must have ample alterations experience...bridal alterations experience a plus!

Ideal Candidate Traits: Candidate must have intermediate to advanced professional sewing experience, a positive attitude, a willingness to learn new things, take directions, and give/receive constructive criticism. Experience in all types of alterations is mandatory….bridal experience is a bonus, but can be trained if not extensive. Knowledge of menswear is vital too.

This position will begin as sewing-focused, but will take on fittings after about 6 months of training. You will work directly with other members of our team, interpreting their fitting notes and collaborating on problem solving, so you must be a good communicator, have great people skills, ability to take direction, and the ability to meet deadlines. Additionally, you will need to be flexible and willing to work on anything from large, heavy wedding dresses…to jeans…to silk slips, for example. I am looking for someone who is committed to improving their own skills, as well as looking for ways to improve the process and our studio systems continually. This position is collaborative and creative. Our studio is body-positive and affirming.

When fitting, this position is also essentially an education and sales position as you will be showing clients how their clothes should fit and making suggestions on how they can look their best, as well as communicating costs. You will work directly with customers and may oversee and/or train other seamstresses, so you must be a good communicator, have great people skills, ability to teach, and large amounts of patience and grace. Basic patternmaking skills are not necessary, but a bonus!

Job Responsibilities:

- Will be responsible to use the processes and systems that Sugarcane Studios has developed which have led to hundreds of 5-star reviews online from over 1200 happy brides served.

-Will begin by sewing other fitter's work for most of the first bridal season to understand the flow and the standards of the shop. Then, once comfortable, will begin training to take on fittings with clients. By early 2025, you will be fitting regularly.

- Will communicate with fellow staff on each project, to accomplish the correct fit and to do the alterations with the highest level of quality possible.

- Will work with studio manager to manage the workflow and the client schedule.

- Will look for ways to improve their own work as well as the systems and processes of the shop.

- Will participate in the cleaning and organizing of the shop, answering the phone, greeting customers, and other general studio tasks as all employees are expected to help with when needed.

- Will make custom studio products such as veils, robes, dresses, etc. as ordered by clients or to be sold in our small retail area.

Requirements:

• If you're the right person for this opportunity, you must be an experienced, intermediate-to-advanced sewer who has an ample knowledge of clothing construction.
• 3+ years of relevant experience, including fitting experience (alterations shop, bridal industry, special occasion garment construction, corsetry, costume, etc)
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and handle multiple priorities
• Excellent communication and leadership skills...and a positive attitude.

Compensation: $17+/hr starting rate, dependent on experience and skill-level.

Terms: Full-time. Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30-6pm, with at least 1 Saturday off per month, if desired. Start date: mid-late May 2024, TBD.

Benefits: Accrued PTO, 8 paid holidays, 2-wk paid Christmas break at end of year, small health insurance stipend, matching 401K (w/ waiting period). Large, beautiful workspace and supportive team. Possible end-of-year bonus based on profitability and performance.

Additional Company Info: Sugarcane Studios is a company with a big vision. More employee benefits will be added as the company grows. We are looking for people who want to be a part of this growth and can see themselves helping reach this vision by being dedicated long-term.

If interested, please send a cover letter telling me about your experience, skills and why you would be great for the job, along with a resume with references.

Candidates will be contacted to answer a few questions via email, and then to set up an interview.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus opportunities

Experience:

• Sewing: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Asheville, NC 28803: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person