What are the responsibilities and job description for the First Hand Tailor - Historic Clothing & Dress position at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation?
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 89 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, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, 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 First Hand Tailor reports directly to the Cutter/Draper/Patternmaker. The person in this role assists the Cutter/Draper in fittings, takes detailed notes to facilitate action from the fitting. The Firsthand Tailor acts as a lead to employees in lower level roles with in Historic Clothing and Dress, providing general day-to-day guidance and mentoring.
The First Hand Tailor is responsible for assisting in the preparation and distribution of “work bundles” for which they will notate, explain, and direct other Tailors to sew. This employee may serve as a Tailor based on business need and is responsible for assisting with cutting, preparation of fabric, and pattern making as directed by the Cutter/Draper. The Firsthand Tailor may conduct clothing-related research and study as directed by the manager of the Department of Historical Clothing & Dress. The
person in this role is also responsible for maintaining records of supplies/notions in Operations and confirming orders/approval of orders.
Main Duties:
Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as
directed and approved by the supervisor.
Required Education and Experience:
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 89 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, The Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute, 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 First Hand Tailor reports directly to the Cutter/Draper/Patternmaker. The person in this role assists the Cutter/Draper in fittings, takes detailed notes to facilitate action from the fitting. The Firsthand Tailor acts as a lead to employees in lower level roles with in Historic Clothing and Dress, providing general day-to-day guidance and mentoring.
The First Hand Tailor is responsible for assisting in the preparation and distribution of “work bundles” for which they will notate, explain, and direct other Tailors to sew. This employee may serve as a Tailor based on business need and is responsible for assisting with cutting, preparation of fabric, and pattern making as directed by the Cutter/Draper. The Firsthand Tailor may conduct clothing-related research and study as directed by the manager of the Department of Historical Clothing & Dress. The
person in this role is also responsible for maintaining records of supplies/notions in Operations and confirming orders/approval of orders.
Main Duties:
- Take direction from the Cutter/Draper to take notes, plan and calendar workflow, and is responsible for preparing and cutting fabric.
- Collaborate with the Cutter/Draper to complete all pattern making, cutting, and prep work.
- Records and documents instructions from the Cutter/Draper for each project and provide daily direction and guidance to Tailors to execute the work, ensuring Tailors understand instructions and answer questions as needed.
- Assists Cutter/Draper with fittings, including, but not limited to handing the Cutter/Draper pins during the fitting, taking detailed notes, and photographing to record the fitting.
- Responsible for setting up and preparing the fitting room for client visits to include tasks such as: providing pins, marking chalk, measuring equipment, clean dressing room, necessary and prepared clothing items to ensure a timely and smooth fitting appointment.
- Responsible for notating fitting photos, measurement sheets, and fitting notes digitally and upload to CW OneDrive for access by the department.
- Promptly communicate complications, textile issues, garment construction problems, or needs to Tailors and Cutter/Draper.
- Perform analysis of garment construction methods in accordance with the textile selected and its
- Consult with manager, specialized fashion trades people, and the Historical Clothing and Dress Committee to further knowledge/skills regarding technique and skill development.
- Perform repairs/mending as needed of garments to keep them in top quality.
- Other duties as requested.
Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as
directed and approved by the supervisor.
Required Education and Experience:
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a professional sewing environment, such as a Professional Costume shop, Tailor shop, or Clothing Factory; personal online shops and home sewing environments do not qualify.
- Bachelors’ degree in textiles, historical clothing or related field.
- Working knowledge of historical clothing with a preferred emphasis on the late 18th century.
- Working knowledge of research practices to create academic-style presentations about material culture.
- 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
- Standing between 2-5 hrs per shift
- Sitting for prolonged periods of time
- Using Hands constantly
- Stooping, crouching, and kneeling up to 2 hours per shift
- 40 hrs/week FT
- Shift schedule 8:00 AM- 4:30P