Tailor Business and Client Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What should a tailor always document when a client brings in a garment for alteration?
- The client's name, the garment description, the requested alteration, and the agreed price (Correct answer)
- Only the garment's brand and purchase date
- The client's phone number only
- The fabric composition listed on the care label
Correct answer: The client's name, the garment description, the requested alteration, and the agreed price
A complete alteration ticket must record the client's name, a description of the garment, the specific alterations requested, the agreed price, and the promised completion date.
Question 2: What is a 'garment tag' used for in a tailor shop?
- A numbered tag attached to identify each garment and match it to its work order (Correct answer)
- A care instruction label sewn into the garment by the manufacturer
- A price sticker attached to the sales rack
- A size label added after alterations are complete
Correct answer: A numbered tag attached to identify each garment and match it to its work order
A garment tag with a number is attached to each item brought in for work and corresponds to a written or computerized work order so garments are not lost or confused.
Question 3: What US law governs the labeling requirements for textile products sold in the United States?
- The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (TFPIA) (Correct answer)
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- The Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA)
- The Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act
Correct answer: The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (TFPIA)
The Textile Fiber Products Identification Act requires that all textile products sold in the US include labels disclosing fiber content, country of manufacture, and manufacturer identity.
Question 4: What is the industry standard practice for pricing an alteration?
- Quoting a fixed price per alteration type based on time, skill, and materials needed (Correct answer)
- Charging by the hour regardless of the type of alteration
- Charging a flat percentage of the garment's original retail price
- Offering alterations free with any purchase
Correct answer: Quoting a fixed price per alteration type based on time, skill, and materials needed
Most professional tailors price alterations based on a fixed rate per alteration type, which reflects the time, skill level, and materials required for each specific job.
Question 5: What should a tailor do if a requested alteration would structurally damage or ruin a garment?
- Advise the client honestly that the alteration is not recommended and explain why (Correct answer)
- Perform the alteration anyway since the client is paying
- Refuse all service and send the client away
- Do a partial alteration without telling the client
Correct answer: Advise the client honestly that the alteration is not recommended and explain why
A professional tailor has an ethical obligation to inform the client when a requested alteration cannot be done without damaging the garment, and should explain the limitations clearly.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'fitting appointment' separate from a measurement session?
- To assess how a partially constructed or altered garment fits and make live adjustments (Correct answer)
- To take initial measurements before starting work
- To deliver the completed garment to the client
- To discuss fabric and style options before starting
Correct answer: To assess how a partially constructed or altered garment fits and make live adjustments
A fitting appointment allows the tailor to evaluate the garment on the client's body at an intermediate stage of construction or alteration and make any necessary adjustments.
Tailor Business and Client Management 1
What should a tailor always document when a client brings in a garment for alteration?