Seamstress / Tailor

Retrofête; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick Time

Job summary

Retrofête in New York City is seeking a skilled seamstress or tailor to support our in-house alterations service. This hands-on role involves fitting, altering, and repairing garments to ensure each piece leaves the store looking custom-made.

You will work on the floor with clients and at the machine, managing fittings, beading, embroidery, and repairs as needed. A professional, discreet approach with clients is essential, along with reliable weekly scheduling.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated garment alteration experience (professional, bridal, costume, or comparable hands-on background).
• Confident with hems, side seams, waist band and take in, sleeves, darts, zippers, and closures.
• Skilled with an industrial or domestic sewing machine and hand-finishing techniques (blind hem, slip stitch, invisible repairs).
• Comfortable working directly with clients during fittings in a professional and discreet manner.

Responsibilities

• Client alterations: hems, waist take in, side seams, sleeves, zippers, closures, repairs.
• Fittings on the floor: accompany stylist, assess fit, pin and mark garments, explain what is possible and set turnaround expectations.

Skills

Garment alteration experience

Fittings with clients

Attention to fabric handling

Professional and discreet clientコミュニケ

Tools

Sewing machine (industrial/domestic)

Job description

We are looking for a skilled Seamstress or Tailor to support the launch of our in-house alterations service. This is a hands‑on role working directly with our clients and our merchandise: fitting, altering, and repairing pieces so every garment leaves the store looking like it was made for the person wearing it.
You'll be part of the store team, not tucked away in a back room. Some of your time will be spent at the machine; some will be spent on the floor with clients, pinning and marking during fittings.

Responsibilities

• Client alterations: hems, waist take in, taking garments in and out, sleeve and strap adjustments, button and closure work, seam and lining repairs
• Fittings on the floor: assist the stylist and their client, meet clients, assess fit, pin and mark garments, explain what's possible and what isn't, and set realistic turnaround expectations
• Delicate fabrics: hand-finish and alter silk, chiffon, lace, and beaded pieces with the care they require
• Stock repairs: mend damaged or returned merchandise so it can go back on the floor rather than be written off
• Workflow management: log incoming alterations, tag and track garments, hit promised pickup dates, and keep the workroom organized
• Partner with the sales team: flag fit issues on the floor, suggest alteration options that help close a sale, and communicate timing to associates so they can update clients

Requirements

• Demonstrated garment alteration experience (professional, bridal, costume, or comparable hands‑on background)
• Confident with hems, side seams, waist band and take in, sleeves, darts, zippers and closures
• Skilled with an industrial or domestic machine, plus hand‑finishing techniques — blind hem, slip stitch, invisible repairs
• Comfortable working directly with clients during fittings, including a professional and discreet manner around body and sizing conversations
• Reliable and able to commit to a consistent weekly schedule
• Organized enough to track multiple garments and deadlines

Nice to Have

• Experience with luxury or designer merchandise
• Beading, embroidery, or other hand embellishment repair
• Knitwear repair
• Familiarity with a serger and/or blind hem machine
• Bilingual (a plus for client fittings)

Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $25 - $28
• Hours: 16 - 24 hours per week
• Sick Time