How Does a Pattern Maker Spend a Workday?

Job Description

A pattern maker is responsible for making a fashion designer's vision come to life. A fashion designer will often just sketch several designs on paper. It is the role of the pattern maker to take the sketch and transform it into a garment. In fact, next to designing, pattern-making is one of the most important jobs in the fashion industry. Because many designers do not know how to sew, the pattern maker must assist them in translating the paper sketch into a garment made of specific fabric and cut and tailored to fit different sizes and body shapes.

Typical Workday

A pattern maker works a typical eight-hour workday, although overtime is possible under tight deadlines. A pattern maker arrives at the fashion designer's showroom around 9 a.m. As soon as she arrives, the designer presents the pattern maker with sketches of different outfits. The sketches may include different types of garments, such as dresses, suits, pants and jackets. To turn these sketches into clothes, the pattern maker first obtains the fabric that the designer would like to use for the garments. The pattern maker determines whether the chosen fabric can be cut and sewn without damage before beginning the project. Then, the pattern maker determines the sizes for the clothing. Using precise measurements that correspond to various clothing sizes, the pattern maker cuts the fabric, leaving enough cloth to sew the pieces together. The pattern maker may use a mannequin or clothes form during the sewing process.

Other Duties

Pattern makers may also create cardboard or paper cutouts of their patterns for future use. The pattern maker draws markings for stitching on the cardboard or paper cutouts to indicate where to sew the pieces together. Placement for ornamentation such as embroidery or beading is also drawn onto the cutouts. These cutouts are used as prototypes for similar types of garments to be created during subsequent seasons.