Assistant Denim Tailor (Austin)

imogene + willie • Austin, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a denim tailor with a passion for heritage menswear/womenswear and garment longevity. At Imogene and Willie, we don’t just "fix" jeans; we restore them. You will be responsible for high-precision alterations, including authentic chainstitch hemming, and complex denim reconstructions (darning). The ideal candidate has a coachable attitude, eagerness to learn, quickness accompanied by precision and accuracy, and a perfectionist’s eye for stitch counting, thread matching, and seam allowance. This is a part-time, in-person role based at our Austin, TX store who will report to our Lead Tailor and Tailor Shop Manager.

Requirements

• Experience: We are open to candidates with all levels of experience. You must have a strong desire to learn the skill of denim tailoring. It is essential to the role to understand basic garment construction, fabric integrity, and work with patience and precision.
• Equipment Mastery: Proven ability to operate industrial sewing machines. Familiarity with needle-feed, drop feed, chainstitch, and overlock machines. Understanding of selvedge denim, indigo dye properties, and the difference between sanforized and unsanforized fabrics.
• Precision: Ability to maintain a consistent 1/4" or 1/2" seam allowance on denim ranging from 10oz to 21oz.
• Cultural Fit: A friendly, collaborative attitude. We are a small team that thrives on shared knowledge, willingness to improve, and a team-player mentality.
• Customer Experience: A strong willingness to always go above and beyond for customers. Having a solid understanding of our offerings and being able to communicate our services to customers.
• Problem Solver: You look at a shredded knee blowout and see a puzzle, not a chore.
• Detail-Oriented: You notice when a thread color is one shade too dark or too light and won't settle for "good enough."

Nice To Haves

• Background in selvedge denim or tailoring would be preferred.

Responsibilities

• Jean & Trouser Hemming: Execute precise chainstitch hems in under 10 minutes using our Pegasus W-200 machine, ensuring the correct "roping" effect for raw denim enthusiasts. In addition, executing precise trouser hems on varying types of fabrics in under 15 minutes.
• Denim Repair & Darning: Prepare jeans for darning repair on behalf of Lead Tailor. Including structural repairs on blowouts, pocket bags, and honeycombs using color-matched backing fabric at correct weight and hand-feel depending on the garment.
• Custom Alterations: Must show skill or willingness to learn how to re-attach original hems, execute darts, replace and repair zippers, and jean reconstructions while maintaining the garment's factory aesthetic.
• Machine Maintenance: Perform basic oiling, threading, and troubleshooting on industrial lockstitch, overlock, and chainstitch machines.
• Administrative Duties: Intake and accurately log data for remote/local alterations and repairs in Airtable. Work with the customer experience team and use customer communication platforms to perform customer outreach regarding alterations and repairs.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and Full-Time benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Paid Parental Leave, just to name a few)
• Generous retirement contributions to ALL employees: 401(k) + 4% employer match
• Generous product discounts

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees