Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers: Job Description
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
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What Do Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Take On?
Typical responsibilities of fabric and apparel patternmakers include:
- 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.
- Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.
- Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.
- Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
What Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Need to Know
Top fabric and apparel patternmakers combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Types of Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Apparel Patternmaker
- Clothing Pattern Preparer
- Clothing Patternmaker
- Computer Patternmaker
- Cutter
- Designer
- Draper
- Embroidery Operator
How Many Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Are There?
There are about 341,384 fabric and apparel patternmakers working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +3.9% over the projection horizon.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $38,392 |
| Hourly median | $18.46 |
| 10th percentile | $26,029 |
| 25th percentile | $32,211 |
| 75th percentile | $44,574 |
| 90th percentile | $50,755 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,350 |
| New Jersey | $80,860 |
| California | $77,440 |
| Missouri | $69,180 |
| Florida | $65,570 |
| Oregon | $62,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,850 |
| Washington | $50,510 |
| North Carolina | $49,980 |
| Mississippi | $44,740 |
| Virginia | $43,010 |
| Texas | $33,300 |
Where Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Earn the Most
Pay for fabric and apparel patternmakers shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $96,795 | 36.0% | 4.09 |
| Far Western US | $75,596 | 40.0% | 2.55 |
| Plains States | $69,180 | 2.0% | 0.98 |
| Southeast | $50,613 | 17.2% | 2.24 |
| Southwest | $33,300 | 4.8% | 0.48 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | NY | $101,620 | 760 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $79,820 | 780 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $75,460 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | MO | $71,250 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | OR | $62,720 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | PA | $55,850 | 30 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | NC | $53,780 | 120 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | NC | $45,910 | 90 |
Top Industries Employing Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Most fabric and apparel patternmakers work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 1,590 | $51,610 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 540 | $101,310 |
| Wholesale Trade | 420 | $86,220 |
| Retail Trade | 130 | $72,570 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 80 | $65,590 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 70 | $70,650 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tools and Technology
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Creative Cloud software (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Illustrator (hot technology)
- Desktop publishing software: Adobe InDesign (hot technology)
- Graphics or photo imaging software: Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for fabric and apparel patternmakers is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Contact With Others
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level fabric and apparel patternmakers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Craft Artists (Supplemental)
- Commercial and Industrial Designers (Supplemental)
- Fashion Designers (Primary-Short)
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic (Supplemental)
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Short)
- Tool and Die Makers (Supplemental)
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic (Primary-Long)
- Sewing Machine Operators (Primary-Long)
Degree Programs
Aspiring fabric and apparel patternmakers often complete programs in:
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
References
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 51-6092.00 (Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers).
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