You want to become a tailor but don’t want to give up your job? Then part-time training is the realistic route. Here you will find out how it works, how much time you need to plan for and what you can do with it afterwards.
Can you train as a tailor part-time?
Yes. The Cutting, Sewing and Tailoring course at the Swiss Fashion Academy takes place on one course day a week in Zurich and lasts six months. On the other days you keep working and earning a living while you learn the craft.
You choose your course day when you enrol. The current weekdays and start dates are on the course page.
Who is part-time training suitable for?
It is aimed at adults who want to move into the fashion industry, set up their own studio or sew clothes for their own customers. You don’t need any sewing experience. Basic drawing skills, a sense of aesthetics and manual dexterity are helpful. The minimum age is 16.
The big advantage: you take a manageable risk. Only once you have mastered the craft do you decide whether and when to change careers.
How much time do you need to plan for?
In addition to the course day, you need time to practise at home. Techniques only stick once you repeat them, and you also research on your own for your course work. So plan a few hours a week on top of the lessons.
What do you learn on the course?
You work with domestic, industrial, overlock and zigzag sewing machines and learn to identify and handle the most common fabrics, including delicate fabrics and leather. You draft patterns with special tailoring rulers. You sew zips, buttons, buttonholes, hems and pockets and construct sleeves and collars.
As course work, you make a straight skirt, a classic blouse, a dress and a pair of trousers. You can find all details on content, dates and prices on the Cutting, Sewing and Tailoring course page.
What qualification do you receive?
After passing the exams, you receive a certificate from the Swiss Fashion Academy as a skilled fashion tailor. The Swiss Fashion Academy is an eduQua-certified private school for adult education. The course is not a vocational apprenticeship and does not lead to the Federal VET Diploma (EFZ).
What can you do after the training?
With the certificate, you can work in a studio, an alteration shop or for a clothing manufacturer, for example in product development or quality control. Many first take on their own orders alongside their job and set up on their own later.
If you want to design your own collections, you can go on to the Fashion Designer Course.
And if you want the EFZ later?
After your certificate and a few years of professional experience, the second-chance route under Art. 32 of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training Ordinance (VPETO) is open to you. It allows you to register for the EFZ qualification procedure without an apprenticeship. Preparation courses are offered by the industry associations. How the apprenticeship itself works is explained in our guide Tailoring apprenticeship Switzerland.
How can you find out whether the course suits you?
The easiest way is a free trial lesson: you join half a day of classes and ask your questions directly to the course leader. Book a free trial lesson
Prefer to talk in person? Call us on 044 340 10 70, write to us via the contact form or on WhatsApp.
Updated on 7 October 2026
