Tailor - Historic Clothing & Dress

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is "that the future may learn from the past" through preserving and restoring 18th-century Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation. Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library. Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today's evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

The Tailor A constructs 18th century-style garments and accessories from historically accurate patterns using both historical and modern sewing methods. Along with constructing these clothes, the tailor will also be responsible for altering garments after they have been fit by the Cutter/Draper and First Hands. The tailor will create these historical clothes by working with several different kinds of natural fibers including wool, silk, linen, and cotton. Tailor A will use professional sewing machines and hand sewing techniques. Tailor A may be asked to assist in fittings with the Cutter/Draper and/or First Hands. Tailor A is expected to work quickly and execute the required tasks with the speed and accuracy of a highly trained professional.

Essential Functions:

• Constructs 18th century-style garments using knowledge of historical and modern sewing techniques as directed by the cutter/draper and first hands. Tailor A will execute those techniques using both hand sewing and machine sewing.

• Alters garments to Cutter/Draper's or First Hand's instructions.

• Assists Cutter/Draper or First Hands in fittings as needed.

• Consults with First hands, Cutter/Draper and Department Manager about finishing techniques to create an 18th century-style garment that is accurate, wearable, and presents a clear interpretation of daily clothing worn in 18th century Williamsburg.

• Communicates any complications, textile issues, garment construction problems or needs quickly and efficiently with the First Hands and Cutter/Draper.

• Always analyzes the garment construction methods in accordance with the textile that is chosen and its specific needs in relation to the historical accuracy of the period represented by Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. If more efficient or historically accurate methods are discovered, those methods are immediately brought to the attention of the Cutter/Draper, First Hands, or Manager for approval.

• Freely consults with manager, specialized fashion trades people, or the Historical Clothing and Dress Committee to find direction for their technique and skill development as it pertains to clothing production in our facility.

• Research days, when available, will be targeted at learning skills and techniques that pertain to the work done in our facility. Examples include, but are not limited to, machine sewing and factory production methods for speed and efficiency. Handsewing classes from professional tailors and garment workers. Machine embroidery methods for the equipment we have in our facility. Training courses for understanding and maintaining the machinery that is regularly used for our production. Management enrichment courses to create a better work environment. Pattern making for production sewing.

• Takes an active and ongoing role in continuing their own education about the clothing and material culture of the late 18th century from reliable sources.

• Performs repairs/mending on garments to keep them in top quality working order.

Required and Preferred Education and Experience:

Required:

• 1-3 years in a professional sewing environment (Professional Costume shop, Tailor shop, or Clothing Factory) or 5-10 years of general sewing experience (Non-professional)

Preferred:

• Interest in clothing & material culture of the latter half of the 18th century

• Experience working on an industrial sewing machine

Qualifications:

• Ability to work in a fast paced, creative environment.

• Familiar with pattern making, sewing, and historical clothing terminology.

• Proficient in hand sewing with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.

• Excellent Machine sewing skills on both commercial and domestic sewing machines with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.

• Ability to take direction from First Hands and Cutter/Draper with emphasis on clear communication and taking notes to maintain/verify clarity.

• A verified interest in historical dress and how it is made with emphasis on late 18th century preferred.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.