Krawiec

Krawiec is a Polish noun for a craftsman who makes, alters, and repairs clothing to fit individual customers. A krawiec typically works with fabric selection, measurements, cutting, sewing, and fittings, producing garments such as suits, coats, dresses, and shirts. In modern Poland, krawcy may work as independent artisans, in small ateliers, or in larger fashion or garment manufacturing settings.

The word reflects the traditional tailoring trade and has long belonged to urban professions in Poland. Tailors have historically operated within guilds and workshops, emphasizing precision, fit, and finishing. The craft has adapted over time with changes in sewing technology and fashion, while the core skills of measurement, patterning, and sewing remain central.

Practices and tools: Traditional tailors rely on scissors, measuring tapes, chalk or marking tools, pins, needles, and a thimble, along with hand-sewing techniques. Modern krawcy often use sewing machines, overlocks, and occasionally computer-aided pattern tools. Training commonly combines in-work apprenticeship with vocational courses, and professional status has historically been recognized through guild affiliation or certification.

Surname: Krawiec is also a Polish surname derived from the tailoring trade, meaning that ancestors were associated with sewing and garment making. It is a relatively common surname in Poland and among people of Polish descent.