About Tailoring Apprenticeships

When we think of learning the tailoring trade one is first drawn to the idea of securing a tailoring apprenticeship. For many, this can be both a positive and negative experience. It’s the temperament of the tailor that makes for a good master. During Rory’s time at Henry Poole’s, three apprentices left prematurely owing in most cases to the attitude of their masters. Many masters find it difficult to relate to their apprentices. Many see themselves in a parental role which in and of itself can cause friction between the two parties. Many older masters reared their children during the time of corporal punishment when hitting a disobedient child was normal. Though they may not have physically assaulted their apprentices, shouting and scolding was a normal response to errors made.

Like any child, scolding instils fear which can cause one to become nervous and insecure in their abilities. Not all tailors are born to be teachers. There can often be a lack of patience, understanding and self-reflection that is needed to understand how difficult it is for a novice to grasp the techniques, skills and terminology that accompanies a tailoring apprenticeship.

Others see the apprentice as a means of increasing their weekly wage, having someone to do the donkey work. It can often take years for an apprentice to progress as the master is not encouraged to keep teaching their apprentice new techniques or even have a plan in place that see the tailoring apprenticeship through to a full working tailor and eventually master.

Rory always believed he was the one who pushed his tailoring apprenticeship forward. His own strength of character saw him finish his coat making apprenticeship years before most others in his place. Rory had a driving force and a level of commitment and wasn’t easily distracted by outside influences. When his other counterparts were leaving at 6 pm to return home, Rory worked on often until midnight making projects of his own to improve his skills, add to his wardrobe and ultimately advance his tailoring apprenticeship.

All masters need faith in their apprentice. When they give them something to work on, the apprentice won’t put it beyond repair. There is a sense of give and take between the two. Once an apprentice feels confident, they will wish to pull away from their master so they too can earn a living, but for the master, it is this time that is the most profitable for them. An apprentice with skills is a great earner and can help supplement their income.

After all, has the master not earned it? All that time spent teaching, correcting and overseeing needs to have its own rewards.

Click here to know more.

Looking for a tailoring academy and online tailoring classes? As a bespoke tailoring school, The Handcraft Tailor Academy teaches the secrets to Savile Row tailoring online or in-house. Fifth Generation,Savile row trained, awarding Master Tailor.