seamstress

American  

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

noun

1. a woman whose occupation is sewing.

---

seamstress British  

/ ˈsɛmpstrɪs, ˈsɛmstrɪs /

noun

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

---

Gender

See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of seamstress

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

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

Grant, who has been a seamstress for 15 years, said she was sworn to secrecy after the first phone call which was difficult as she was "not good at keeping secrets".

From BBC • May 20, 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

But “Dead Lover” hews closer to Laura Moss’ modern medical take, “birth/rebirth,” and even more closely to Zelda Williams’ cute, poppy “Lisa Frankenstein,” in which a young seamstress stitches up a reanimated boyfriend.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Originally from a poor and mountainous district of Bamiyan, Rahesh worked for five years in construction in Iran, where his wife Marzia was a seamstress.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Fannie reported that her younger daughters attended school that year, that she was a widow and mother of four, and that she worked as a seamstress.

From "Fannie Never Flinched" by Mary Cronk Farrell