Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Career Description: Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
• Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.
• Determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material, and mark fabric accordingly.
• Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, and/or grading devices.
• Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.
• Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.
• Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.
• Discuss design specifications with designers, and convert their original models of garments into patterns of separate parts that can be laid out on a length of fabric.
• Mark samples and finished patterns with information such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.
• Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
• Examine sketches, sample articles, and design specifications to determine quantities, shapes, and sizes of pattern parts, and to determine the amount of material or fabric required to make a product.
• Trace outlines of paper onto cardboard patterns, and cut patterns into parts to make templates.
• Trace outlines of specified patterns onto material, and cut fabric using scissors.
• Swab molds with solutions to prevent products from sticking.
• Complete work tickets, and place them with products.
• Activate machines to shape or form products such as candy bars, light bulbs, balloons, or insulation panels.
• Remove molds, mold components, and feeder tubes from machinery after production is complete.
• Remove materials or products from molds or from extruding, forming, pressing, or compacting machines, and stack or store them for additional processing.
• Measure, mix, cut, shape, soften, and join materials and ingredients such as powder, cornmeal, or rubber in order to prepare them for machine processing.
• Send product samples to laboratories for analysis.
• Thread extruded strips through water tanks and hold-down bars, or attach strands to wires and draw them through tubes.
• Ignite burners to preheat products, or use torches to apply heat.
• Clean dies, arbors, compression chambers, and molds, using swabs, sponges, or air hoses.
• Disassemble equipment to repair it or to replace parts such as nozzles, punches, and filters.
• Pour, scoop, or dump specified ingredients, metal assemblies, or mixtures into sections of machine prior to starting machines.
• Install, align, and adjust neck rings, press plungers, and feeder tubes.
• Couple air and gas lines to machines to maintain plasticity of material and to regulate solidification of final products.
• Measure arbors and dies to verify sizes specified on work tickets.
• Cut outlines of impressions with gravers, and remove excess material with knives.
• Fill etched characters with opaque paste to improve readability.
• Brush or wipe acid over engraving to darken or highlight inscriptions.
• Expose workpieces to acid to develop etch patterns such as designs, lettering, or figures.

Emerging Tasks

• Create design specifications to provide instructions on how each garment should be sewn and assembled.
• Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
• Make adjustments to patterns following fittings.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• attach or mark identification onto products or containers
• calculate dimensions or specifications of fabric or leather pattern
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• cut or trim fabric or leather
• draw designs, letters, or lines
• draw master pattern for fabric or leather goods
• estimate materials or labor requirements
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• make independent judgment in assembly procedures
• measure and mark reference points or cutting lines on workpieces
• measure, weigh, or count products or materials
• prepare instructions for workers
• press garment or fabric
• read specifications
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use hand iron
• use hand or power tools
• use portable electric fabric cutter
• operate pulp or paper making equipment
• operate woodworking equipment/machinery
• read specifications
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• set up production equipment or machinery
• test manufactured products or materials
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
• set up and operate variety of machine tools
• sharpen metal objects
• solder electrical or electronic connections or components
• test mechanical products or equipment
• understand service or repair manuals
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use arc welding equipment
• use combination welding procedures
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use knowledge of metric system
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$17.18
• Average annual wage (2007) - $35,740.00

• Employment (2006): 9,209

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