seamstress

American  

[seem-stris, sem-] / ˈsim strɪs, ˈsɛm- /

noun

• seamstresses
  plural

1. a woman whose occupation is sewing.

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seamstress British  

/ ˈsɛmpstrɪs, ˈsɛmstrɪs /

noun

1. a woman who sews and makes clothes, esp professionally

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Gender

See -ess.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• seamstresses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of seamstress

First recorded in 1605–15; seamst(e)r + -ess

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Explanation

A seamstress is a person whose job involves sewing clothing. You could be a seamstress if you hem your own pants, but most seamstresses work in factories sewing garments using sewing machines. Traditionally, a seamstress was a woman who sewed seams in clothes using a machine, or occasionally by hand. Seamstresses weren't considered as skilled as a dressmaker, who makes custom clothing, or a tailor, who alters clothes to fit a specific person. Each of these titles is a distinct job, but they are commonly used interchangeably. Some people use the newer, unisex term sewist instead of seamstress.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

seamstress seamstresses

"I have been a seamstress, I've been a designer. I've been bringing the costumes - the designs of my husband and my daughter - bringing the costumes to life."

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

JoelSamuel's mother Juliet, a 41-year-old seamstress, said: "I just can't wait to see him doing the normal things that everybody does at his age."

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

She traces her relationship with making clothes back to being the eldest child of a seamstress.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2026

As more women took traditional corporate jobs outside the home, schools eliminated home-economics programs, which were a steppingstone to becoming a professional tailor or seamstress.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

“And now I shall go back and show my fellow elves that the child of a clerk and a seamstress is as good and brave as the most famous knight in the kingdom.”

From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin

Sorcinelli, aided by 11 seamstresses, displayed the green silk forming the basis of Leo's vestment for Rimini, rolling out the sumptuous fabric onto a long table.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Time and again, the 11th-Century seamstresses who created it - who are believed to have been in England, probably Canterbury - were so skilled that the story they are telling looks like it's in 3D.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he spent his teenage years in the U.S., growing up in a community of seamstresses and store owners who always found reasons to do more rather than less.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

The Kerns struck the deal last June for an initial investment of 25 million euros, while also committing to keeping the brand in Italy and rehiring about 200 employees, including the seamstresses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026

They also engaged the best seamstresses to make the floating graduating dresses and to cut down secondhand pants which would be pressed to a military slickness for the important event.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

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