Fashion Design Review

Clothing patternmakers make full-size paper or fiberboard patterns for clothing. Patternmakers translate the designer’s sketches into its various pattern pieces.  These workers need to have knowledge of body proportions and a familiarity of fabric to do this job. 

Pattern makers are very important to designers and fashion houses, as they act as liaisons between designers and manufacturers.  Styles today are more complicated and pattern makers are even more essential to the success of a design. There should be opportunities for talented people who choose to focus in this area, as the numbers of persons entering this trade has declined. 

To become a patternmaker, you need to have a certificate from a vocational or technical school. Advanced technical skills are necessary as are the ability to use drafting tools (calipers, squares, straight and curved rules), and good computer skills  - specifically with CAD programs. You will need to have the ability to visualize the finished design, and good communication skills as well.  Salaries in this field range from $11,000 – $150,000 annually