What do Pattern Makers do?  Where do Pattern Makers work? FS takes a look:

Pattern Makers
About Pattern Maker: 

Pattern makers work closely with fashion designers and design departments to create an initial rough draft of what the designer has in mind for any given garment. Independent designers that are just starting out might create their own patterns, but if they are established or work for a large company, they usually work with a team of pattern makers. Years ago, pattern makers created sample patterns by hand. Today, they use a variety of advanced techniques and machines to produce samples.

Alternate Titles For the Role 
Clothing Pattern Preparer
Clothing Patternmaker
Computer Aided Pattern Designer
Computer Patternmaker

Pattern Maker Job Description: 

Pattern makers main function is to take the designer’s ideas and translate them into
pattern samples. After the samples are made, the designer may request a few tweaks
before the final sample pattern is made. It is up to the pattern maker to create a final
sample that will be used to mass-produce the garment.

Pattern makers work for fashion designers, retail companies, textile companies, design
studios, and other manufacturing facilities. Some pattern makers are self-employed, so
they might work for multiple clients at a time.

Becoming a Pattern Maker: 

Employers prefer an associate or bachelor’s degree in fashion design, pattern making,
pattern engineering, or pattern-making technology. Many employers also look for entry-
level workers with experience through an internship, apprenticeship, or paid position.
Retail sales experience or experience in textiles or apparel design is also helpful.

Other important skills include computer skills, organizational skills, math proficiency, the
ability to multi-task, precision and accuracy, and the natural ability to work with different
body proportions. Because pattern makers might work with industry professionals
overseas, the ability to speak Spanish or Chinese is a huge plus.

Pattern Maker Education Training & Advancement: 

Many schools offer certificates, associate and bachelor's degree programs in fashion design & related fields that will help jump-start one's career as a pattern maker. These programs expose students to practical opportunities in order to get started in the fashion industry, and give a solid foundation on which to begin a career. Some fashion schools will over specific lines of study for aspiring pattern makers & those looking for textile careers.

As important as formal education is establishing your both your creative and technical skills. In addition to the creative aspects of fashion, pattern makers needs to be proficient at sewing, stitching and manipulating fabrics. Extremely detailed oriented pattern maters need to demonstrate their organization skills, attention to detail, and even quantitative skills.

Always have a good portfolio of ideas and strategies to present. Get your ideas out there, and be your own sales agent.

Pattern Maker Jobs & Careers: 

At the time of this writing there were nearly 300 pattern maker jobs on Indeed. And opportunities exist in both direct to consumer, retail roles, as well as industrial/production roles.

Pattern Makers tend to have regular schedules and work weeks, however, product timelines/deadlines can often add work and stress to their jobs.

While medium to large companies will often employ several pattern markers, smaller companies frequently can't afford to have a full time pattern maker on staff. As a result, a robust field of "free lance" pattern makers has evolved. Taking a freelance path means you not only have to be an expert pattern maker; but also be able to market yourself, and find work.

 

Regardless of the location, styles or trends, the fashion industry will always need to people to make the deals happen.

 

Pattern Maker Salaries: 

Depending on the type and size of the company, experience, geographic location, and
education, pattern makers may earn as little as $19,000 on the low e, up to $85,000 (or
more) on the high end. Lower salaries are just a starting point for pattern makers with
little to no experience. By the time they reach mid-level, which may only be a few years,
pattern makers can earn $40,000 or more per year.

Self-employed pattern makers may earn more or less depending on the same factors listed
above, along with the number of projects they choose to tackle each year.

Best Places to be a Pattern Maker: 
Alaska Alabama Arizona Mesa Phoenix Tucson Arkansas California Burbank Fresno Oakland Hollywood Inland Empire Long Beach Irvine Los Angeles Monterey Orange County Sacramento San Diego San Francisco Saratoga Stockton Sunnyvale Colorado Colorado Springs Fort Collins Denver Connecticut Bridgeport Farmington Hartford Delaware Dover Newark Florida Ft. Lauderdale Jacksonville Miami Orlando Tampa Georgia Athens Atlanta Gainesville Savannah Hawaii Honolulu Idaho Illinois Carbondale Chicago DeKalb Glen Ellyn Macomb Normal Palatine River Forest Schaumburg Indiana Indianapolis Muncie Lafayette Vincennes Iowa Ames Kansas Manhattan Overland Park Wichita Kentucky Bowling Green Lexington Louisiana New Orleans Maine Maryland Baltimore Princess Anne Massachusetts Boston Framingham Newton Michigan Detroit Hancock Lansing Mt. Pleasant Troy Minnesota Minneapolis Saint Paul Mississippi Missouri Kansas City Montana Nebraska Omaha Nevada Las Vegas New Hampshire New Jersey Newark Paramus West Paterson Woodbridge New Mexico Albuquerque New York New York White Plains North Carolina Charlotte Durham North Dakota Ohio Cincinnati Cleveland Oklahoma Tulsa Oregon Portland Pennsylvania Philadelphia Pittsburgh York Rhode Island South Carolina Charleston South Dakota Tennessee Cookeville Nashville Texas Austin Denton Dallas El Paso Fort Worth Houston Huntsville Lubbock Nacogdoches San Antonio San Marcos Waco Utah Salt Lake City Vermont Virginia Arlington Blacksburg Richmond Sterling Virginia Beach Washington Ellensburg Pullman Seattle West Virginia Fairmont Morgantown Wisconsin Milwaukee Oak Creek Stout Wyoming