Work as seamstress, maybe, for a time (9)
I believe the answer is:
makeshift
'for a time' is the definition.
(makeshift can mean temporary or provisional)
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
(Other definitions for makeshift that I've seen before include "temporary expedient" , "temporary measure" , "Interim, temporary" , "this'll do for now" , "(Acting as) temporary substitute" .)