patternmakers (of apparel & textiles) create the “blueprint” or pattern pieces for a particular apparel design. This often involves “grading,” or adjusting the pieces for different sized garments. Grading once was a time-consuming job, but now it is quickly completed with the aid of a computer. Markers determine the best arrangement of pattern pieces to minimize wasted fabric. Traditionally, markers judged the best arrangement of pieces by eye; today, computers quickly help to determine the best layout. A large proportion of pattern makers are self-employed and do freelance work—full time or part time—in addition to holding a salaried job in design or in another occupation. Pattern Makers convert a clothing designer’s original model of a garment into a pattern of separate parts that can be laid out on a length of fabric. After discussing the item with the designer, these skilled workers usually use a computer to outline the parts and draw in details to indicate the positions of pleats, buttonholes, and other features. (In the past, patternmakers laid out the parts on paper, using pencils and drafting instruments such as rulers.) Patternmakers then alter the size of the pieces in the pattern to produce garments of various sizes, and they may “mark” the fabric to show the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material.
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Apparel Workers
Laundry and Dry Cleaning Workers Merchandise Displayers / Window Dressers / Visual Merchandising Photographers - Fashion & Glamour Production Management / Engineering |