UgoTailoring is the passion of some people in Nigeria. It makes sense since the Nigerian fashion industry according to Statista, is projected to reach $1.1 billion in 2024. It is also a growing industry with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate of 9% between 2024 and 2029.
Clothing is one of the basic needs of human beings. However, clothes are one of the strongest expressions of culture- something that Nigeria seems to have in abundance. Nigeria has over 371 ethnic groups and over 500 languages. The society also has both western and traditional influences living side by side. With a diverse culture comes diversity in fashion.
As a result, there are many tailors in Nigeria. But just like any other workman, tailors need some key materials to function effectively.
If you are curious about the tools and materials a tailor should have in their toolkit, then this article is for you. I would go over who a professional tailor actually is and the tools you need to start out as a new tailor in Nigeria.
Who is a tailor?
A tailor creates clothes that are customised to fit a specific individual. People employ the services of tailors when they want clothes that suit them in terms of body size and taste. Clothes bought at boutiques do not always provide the comfort that comes with well-fitted clothes and tailors provide such services. They are quite affordable too.
Tailor vs fashion designer
Fashion designers are quite different from tailors. They design creative clothing styles which are then brought to life by skilled tailors.
Tailors often work to modify existing garments and make them suitable for people while fashion designers create beautiful clothes from scratch using skills like sketching, pattern-making and draping. Both tailors and fashion designers have different training and skill set.
10 essential tailoring materials
I will go over some materials you should have in your toolkit as a budding tailor.
1. Fabrics
Fabrics are an important aspect of quality clothes. While selecting Fabrics, seek the best texture and aesthetics that is suitable for the garment you have in mind.
There are different types of fabric such as Cotton, Linen, Satin, Silk, Wool, Ankara and Synthetics. As a tailor you have to consider your client’s taste and what they would be comfortable in.
2. Laces
Laces are special types of fabric used to decorate clothes and make them look more attractive. You find them on bridal gowns and sometimes they are used for home decor.
There are different types of lace like embroidered lace, crocheted lace, chantilly lace, basketweave lace, chemical lace, knitted lace and needle lace.
Lace is used for decorative purposes, edging, flouncing and other design techniques that make garments attractive.
3. Measuring tape
As a tailor, a measuring tape is one of the tools that are very useful for your work. It is used to measure the client’s body size and clothing material. Measuring tapes are flexible materials that are about 60 inches long.
Using the tape, you can measure the width of the client’s waist, bust, as well as the client’s arm length, the length of their legs and any other measurements that would help you create clothes that are a perfect fit.
4. Zippers
Zippers are used to bind the edges of a fabric’s opening. They make it easy to take clothes off when necessary. But their use extends beyond dresses to bags and upholstery items where they also serve as gatekeepers, providing cover and an entry point for each piece of clothing.
Handling Zippers requires care as they are often fragile and easily damaged. You should avoid applying too much force when handling your zippers. It is also important to keep them clean and protect them from dust to avoid damage.
5. Needles
Needles are pointy pieces of slender metal with an eye for passing thread used to perform manual tasks in tailoring. They are used to sewing, doing embroidery and stitching tough materials that the sewing machine may not do well.
These essential tools can also cause injury because of the nature of their use. Keep them in a labelled container and have it properly covered for safety. When using needles to work on clothes, work with good lighting to reduce the risk of injury.
6. Needle threaders
Needle eyes are very small and you might spend a lot of time trying to pass thread through them. That is what Needle threaders are for.
They are small pieces of metal with a wire loop that can pass through the eye of the needle. If you follow the following steps you can quickly thread your needles using these tools.
- Pass the wire loop through the needle’s eye
- Hook the thread on the wire loop
- Finally, pull the needle threader out through the needle’s eye, passing the thread through the needle’s eye in the process.
7. Buttons
Buttons are round-shaped parts of a garment used to open or close them. They are usually fastened to two edges of a cloth where they serve this purpose.
They are commonly made of plastic but they can also be made of other elements like wood, metal, stone or even glass. Buttons also contain openings through which fastening thread is often passed.
Buttons also have decorative value on clothes. Nice buttons can add to the aesthetic value of fashionable clothes.
8. Scissors
Scissors usually contain handles and two sharp metal blades. They are used for cutting fabric in the course of a tailor’s work.
While sewing, scissors come in handy as they are useful in cutting thread, creating beautiful patterns and giving garments a neat look especially at the edges.
9. Sewing machine
Sewing machines are probably the most well-known tailoring equipment out there. They are used for stitching and repairing clothes. They usually contain a horizontal arm and a needle and come in different kinds.
There are different types of sewing machines. The common ones include the manual and treadle sewing machines. If you are starting a tailoring business you’ll definitely be needing one of these.
10. Awl
When sewing tough fabric you’ll need your awl to puncture holes through it. It is a slender piece of metal with a pointed end and a handle- usually wooden that makes your stitching easier.
Is the tailoring business profitable?
Yes, tailoring business can be profitable in Nigeria. With our complex and culture-rich environment, culture finds expression in our fashion. A lot of people work with tailors to create made-to-fit traditional dresses that can’t be found in boutiques but that is not all.
Tailors work to modify, repair or improve the various clothes brought to them by clients and fashion designers need tailors to create clothes following their design ideas. So, as a result, you have a wide market for tailoring services.
Qualities of a good tailor
To succeed as a tailor you need several essential skills. I will list some of them below;
- Sewing skills
- Attention to detail
- An eye for design
- Good fashion sense
- Organisational skills
- Time management
Conclusion
Tailoring is a profitable profession with a huge market in Nigeria. If you are an aspiring tailor, understanding the various materials used by the tailor and knowing their uses is key to starting a successful tailoring business.
Ugo
