Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

The main tasks and work activities of Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers are to assemble garments or textile products, draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references, design templates or patterns, position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces. In general, for the Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers, critical Thinking, active Listening, time Management, judgment and Decision Making and other 11 skills are required.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Job Description
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related 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. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers jobs. 40.66% of Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 11.53% of Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

2.86%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

40.66%

Post-Secondary Certificate

11.53%

Some College Courses

18.58%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

0.00%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

26.37%

Tasks and Work Activities of Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

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, 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.
Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.
Create design specifications to provide instructions on garment sewing and assembly.

Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Assemble garments or textile products.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Design templates or patterns.
Position patterns on equipment, materials, or workpieces.
Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.
Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.
Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
Construct patterns, templates, or other work aids.
Cut fabrics.
Program equipment to perform production tasks.
Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.

Skills and Abilities for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Dressmakers rulere.g. Curve sticks
Full body form or mannequine.g. Dress form mannequins
Shearse.g. Fabric shears
Dressmakers rulere.g. Hip curve rulers
Sewing machinese.g. Industrial sewing machines
Ironing boardse.g. Ironing boards
Squarese.g. L squares
Tape measurese.g. Measuring tapes
Scissorse.g. Paper scissors
Pattern cutting mats or boardse.g. Pattern boards
Dressmakers rulere.g. Pattern grading rulers
Shearse.g. Pattern paper cutters
Punches or nail sets or driftse.g. Pattern punches
Domestic clothing ironse.g. Pressing irons
Utility knivese.g. Round knives
Dressmakers rulere.g. Scale rulers
Punches or nail sets or driftse.g. Screw punches
Seam gaugee.g. Seam allowance gauges
Seam rippere.g. Seam rippers
Dressmakers rulere.g. See-through rulers

DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Skills and Abilities for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers