Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Overview

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers has a national median salary of $62,750 per year, with -15% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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

Work Values

• Support
• Relationships
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.
• Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
• 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.
• Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.
• Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.

Work Activities

• Getting Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Thinking Creatively
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Processing Information
• Working with Computers
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Detailed Work Activities

• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers:

Video Resources