What does a pattern maker do?
Pattern maker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real pattern maker resumes:
- Manage team processes and production of costumes with other pattern makers and technical designers to ensure deadlines are meet.
- Design and create women's apparel production patterns including dresses, tops, pants, and jackets.
- Knock offs, draping, and digitizing.
- Work with Lesage embroidery and Lemarie feather supplier.
- Plot markers stencils for contractor's cutting production.
- Work with denim and twills for bottoms and jeans.
- Interpret sketches from designer by both draping and computer patternmaking methods.
- Design kayak chairs, bimini tops, & boat covers utilizing cad.
- Paint spot templates, for chemical milling tools and router jigs per process specs.
- Work with knits, rayon, wools, chiffons, cottons, and embroidery fabrics
- Set up and operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding and cutting equipment.
- Draw files using the SolidWorks software for new products in development by the company.
- Have built a strong relationship with the different buyers, and in-house departments as well.
- Perform basic math and geometry skills for making simple calculations used in product research and design.
- Design and develop new samples and patterns for fire block layer and dress cover of aircraft cushions.
Pattern maker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Pattern Makers are proficient in Sketch, CAD, and CNC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Mechanical skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Pattern Makers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Sketch, 22%
Developed garments from flat sketch, Draping, Pattern making from first pattern through production pattern making and fit.
- CAD, 9%
Used methods of draping, flat pattern and CAD (Gerber System).
- CNC, 9%
Performed precision machining on tooling using vertical and horizontal mills Minimum 7 years experience operating CNC mills.
- Blueprint Specifications, 6%
Make parts to blueprint specifications.
- Tech Packs, 6%
Make pattern correction and related them to overseas factories communicating through photo and tech packs in order to correct changes.
- Apparel, 5%
Duplicated vintage apparel and adapted patterns for modern construction techniques, whilst maintaining integrity of original designs.
Most pattern makers use their skills in "sketch," "cad," and "cnc" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential pattern maker responsibilities here:
Computer skills. The most essential soft skill for a pattern maker to carry out their responsibilities is computer skills. This skill is important for the role because "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to use programmable devices, computers, and robots on the factory floor." Additionally, a pattern maker resume shows how their duties depend on computer skills: "utilized lectra cad system to transfer manually generated patterns to computer. "
Mechanical skills. Many pattern maker duties rely on mechanical skills. "these workers must be comfortable with machines and have a good understanding of how all the parts work.," so a pattern maker will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways pattern maker responsibilities rely on mechanical skills: "worked on industrial design/model construction - mechanical and free hand work for both commercial and military specifications. "
Physical strength. This is an important skill for pattern makers to perform their duties. For an example of how pattern maker responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "metal and plastic machine workers must be able to secure and tighten heavy fixtures into place." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a pattern maker: "create electronic patterns using patterning software and digitizing physical patterns or transferring from cad software or similar methods. ".
The three companies that hire the most pattern makers are:
- 99Degrees
4 pattern makers jobs
- Lippert Components2 pattern makers jobs
- Harrison Steel2 pattern makers jobs
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Compare different pattern makers
Pattern maker vs. Technical pattern designer
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a pattern maker are more likely to require skills like "cad," "cnc," "blueprint specifications," and "apparel." On the other hand, a job as a technical pattern designer requires skills like "adobe photoshop," "human body," "line production," and "market trends." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that technical pattern designers earn slightly differ from pattern makers. In particular, technical pattern designers are 15.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a pattern maker. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Pattern maker vs. Designer and patternmaker
Each career also uses different skills, according to real pattern maker resumes. While pattern maker responsibilities can utilize skills like "cnc," "blueprint specifications," "apparel," and "core boxes," designer and patternmakers use skills like "measurement specifications," "market research," "technical design," and "fit sessions."
Designer and patternmakers earn similar levels of education than pattern makers in general. They're 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Pattern maker vs. Pattern technician
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a pattern maker is likely to be skilled in "blueprint specifications," "tech packs," "apparel," and "core boxes," while a typical pattern technician is skilled in "design elements," "fit comments," "pattern library," and "cushions."
Most pattern technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to pattern makers. For example, they're 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Pattern maker vs. Production pattern maker
Even though a few skill sets overlap between pattern makers and production pattern makers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a pattern maker might have more use for skills like "cad," "cnc," "blueprint specifications," and "core boxes." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of production pattern makers require skills like "fit sessions," "in-house," "computer system," and "production process. "
The average resume of production pattern makers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to pattern makers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.Updated January 8, 2025
