What are the responsibilities and job description for the Alterations Tailor / Sewist position at Ed Barbo's Columbia Clothing?
Ed Barbo’s Columbia Clothing is looking for an experienced alterations tailor or sewist to join our downtown Duluth menswear store. This role may be part-time or full-time, depending on the right candidate’s experience and availability.
For more than a century, Columbia has helped Northland customers dress for weddings, work, celebrations, and everyday life. Fit is central to that work. The person in this role will complete careful alterations and repairs on suits, sport coats, trousers, formalwear, shirts, and other garments while protecting each garment’s balance, drape, and finish.
This is a hands-on role for someone who takes pride in precise work, communicates clearly, and can manage a steady queue of garments on committed timelines. Most work will support garments sold by Columbia, with outside alterations accepted selectively.
What you’ll do
- Complete common menswear alterations, including trouser hems, waist and seat adjustments, tapering, sleeve-length adjustments, jacket suppression, seam work, and basic garment repairs.
- Inspect garments and determine whether the requested alteration is practical and appropriate.
- Use machine sewing, hand sewing, pressing, and finishing techniques to produce clean, durable results.
- Preserve the garment’s proportions, construction, and original appearance wherever possible.
- Work from fitting notes and alteration tickets, flagging questions before cutting or sewing.
- Complete standard work on the store’s committed timeline and communicate promptly when a garment needs more time or a different approach.
- Keep alteration work, tools, and the work area organized.
- Collaborate with sales staff on fittings, measurements, rush requests, and customer expectations.
- Assist with fittings and pinning when experience and scheduling allow.
What we’re looking for
- Demonstrated sewing and garment-alteration experience. Professional experience is preferred, but strong work samples and practical skill matter more than a particular credential.
- Confidence with both machine sewing and hand finishing.
- Careful judgment when working on tailored clothing, formalwear, and customer-owned garments.
- Ability to work independently, manage several garments at once, and meet promised dates.
- Clear communication and a willingness to ask before proceeding when a garment presents an unusual construction or fit issue.
Especially helpful
- Experience altering men’s suits, sport coats, dress trousers, or formalwear.
- Experience with fittings, measuring, pinning, pressing, or garment repair.
- Familiarity with industrial sewing or specialty alteration equipment.
- Tailoring, apparel-construction, costume, bridal, or production-sewing experience.
Schedule and compensation
- Part-time or full-time: approximately 20–40 hours per week.
- Exact schedule will be based on store needs and the candidate’s availability.
- Pay range: $22–$35 per hour, based on demonstrated skill and experience.
Finalists may be asked to discuss or show examples of past work and complete a short, paid practical skills demonstration.
Ed Barbo’s Columbia Clothing considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Pay: $22.00 - $35.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $22 - $35