All About Pattern Makers (& Pattern Cutters)

[ffannny]

what do you thing, being fashion designer or maybe being a pattern maker 2 get the succest in the future ( real world ), which 1 of them have d'biggest apportunitty ?
help me

 

[mdankwah]

i would think pattern cutter but if you want to be a designer it's also a good idea, that's what i'm planning on doing next year

 

[Designer]

If you are asking then you had better take up pattern maker

 

[Lena]

patternmakers are much more in demand than designers, but to be a designer you absolutely need to know your patterns, it's just up to you to choose where you prefer to 'excel' , good luck anyways

 

[softgrey]

i agree with lena...that a good patternmaker is always in demand and can command very nice salaries...i hope you are good at math...

 

[pinkmonkey]

I'd say both, but pattern cutters pay is often low and many are based at factories in third world countries...

Does depend who you work for though.

 

[luvkoshi]

Originally posted by softgrey@Oct 18 2004, 10:38 AM
i agree with lena...that a good patternmaker is always in demand and can command very nice salaries...i hope you are good at math...

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I never thought of that... Math! Can fashion and math co-exist? But... But... I suck at math

Anyway, I say don't choose a career based on what's currently more in demand (trends do change- especially in fashion). Go for what's in your gut, what drives you and gives you pleasure, because ultimately no matter what you decide, if you want to succeed, you'll face many challenges, responsibilities, and just plain ol work... in such a competitive industry, you must be motivated beyond money.

 

[Luna]

Designers get all the credit.. Pattern makers do all the dirty work.

I was offered a pattern making job for accessories, but I dont think I can handle working in a factory...

 

[clay]

I would say PM. Simply because I pay people up to $300 a pattern. But you would benefit as a designer that is an excellent PM. I rarely make over $300 a day working as a staff designer ( but that may be about to change!).

It is especially good if you want to start your own business. Usually great pattern makers are great sewers also.You combine the technical with the creative and you have the foundation for a great career.

Great sketching is important also, especially in the High End/Couture arena. A great portfolio will open many doors ( believe me
my hand sketches need tons of improvement, but I constantly improve also, along with computer sketching).

Good luck!!!

 

[marrimoda]

patternmakers need to work with fractions well, or centimeters...while thats not easy breezy, its not exactly finite mathematics or calculus. Really its not like being an engineer or something.

Technical designers make more than patternmakers of course they are more of a management position. but as lena and clay and others have said its really important for a designer working in their own business to have good patternmaking skills.

 

[ffannny]

Originally posted by clay@Oct 23 2004, 04:33 PM
I would say PM. Simply because I pay people up to $300 a pattern. But you would benefit as a designer that is an excellent PM. I rarely make over $300 a day working as a staff designer ( but that may be about to change!).

It is especially good if you want to start your own business. Usually great pattern makers are great sewers also.You combine the technical with the creative and you have the foundation for a great career.

Great sketching is important also, especially in the High End/Couture arena. A great portfolio will open many doors ( believe me
my hand sketches need tons of improvement, but I constantly improve also, along with computer sketching).

Good luck!!!

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Hi clay, its nice 2 got a suggest from u.my name's fanny, im 21 year old.im from indonesia.
i had another question from 4, i hope u willing 2 answer.
u said "I pay people up to $300 a pattern". r u sure about it? its sooo much cost got!
and than u said "A great portfolio will open many doors " , actually i have a prestation in my Fashion design. I have been study in ESMOD Jakarta. and 3 years class. im the best fashion DEsigner here (esmod). i admit that im creative.
my design mostly creator like, i mean i lmost make a new design, im try not to imitate design from another Designer. And i can make a pattern.but its not a flat pattern, its Moulage ( make a pattern on the dummy directly). tehnictly i have a talent in pattern, but in sewer im so suck!
What u think i could do? i need ur suggest, because i think ur an expert on it (fashion world)
back to my second (question, can i show my portfolio by internet? i realy need a job outsiede my country. because my country didn't have an opportunaty. u know..its indonesia... maybe u ever heard about it..
beside that, i have to learn about fashion world directly on the fashion country, right?
maybe god blessing me and i got a job in fashion country... sorry, mybe u thought that im so matrealistis..ehmm..actually i had an twin babies behind meriage..i mean my boy friend left me.naah...from now on..think i have to working hard to get big demand to give a living for my babies.., im so sorry..i didn't mean to talk this to you..he..he.. maybe im involved..
by the way..thanks for read my letters..
GBU..clay...

 

[clay]

Fanny, nice to meet you. I hope all goes well for you.

1) Patterns: Yes here in states patternmakers can make alot of money. Some work for themselves or set up businesses that serves others ( companies or individuals). Also the range differs with experience and if you work for a fashion company. They can make little or alot.

You stated you mostly drape the pattern on a dress form( we call it draping). That is good also. Combine that with your flat pattern skills and you are on your way. We learn both in school, but you have to master both I believe to be good paternmaker.
Sewing may not be as important if you understand and know how it is supposed to be done when you make the patterns( do you understand that?)

2) I post my portfolos online on three different places:
Portfolios.com (5 free pics to post)
Coroflot.com ( 5 free pics to post)
Styleportfolios.com. (This is the best one and you may post up to 18 pics for free until the end of the year. Then it goes down to 3 free pics I believe.)

3) As a mother you owe it to yourself and your children to do whatever it takes to get your career going. There are opportunities out there (in your country and others), we just have to be determined to find them and be ready for them when they appear. That is why preparing yourself is so important. I have wasted alot of time. I do not wish the same for you. In the fashion industry you have to constantly learn and improve upon your skills and knowledge to grow as person and designer or whatever part of the business you work in. It never stops, if it does, your will never move forward. I know cause I hit
a few bumps in my career because I did not push myself further. But the good thing is I started, now things are getting better or at least more interesting.

So good luck Fanny and continue to grow and learn and you will be alright.
IF you have anymore questions feel free to ask me or other members here. Its a nice place to get others opinions.

 

[ffannny]

please give me another opinion................

 

[maskedmannequin]

If you feel that your TALENT lies in design, then go for design, but if you feel that you are talented in patterncutting, then train to be a pattern cutter!
Pattern cutters are certainly in more demand than designers, so if you're moving countries, then you're more likely to get a job in pattern cutting, but only if you have the skills that are needed.
I would suggest that if you haven't done flat pattern cutting, that you learn this method as well.

 

[MoDeLwAnaBe]

Pattern Designing!?!

i am a beginer designer, dream big to be one day working in the fashion industry-for now i am working part time designing my evening gows.
I dont have the opportunity to go to a fashion school right now but I am learning to sew better and my question is to all who is interested in helping me- I will be so happy for any answers that you may have and i personally will thank you and fashion spot for the answers....


So to begin, what is the most easiest way or maybe I shall say how do you make your own patterns? Do you use a special software-can I buy the software for a home computer? What are the suggestions....
And mostly do you suggest a Fashion School??? Because I know how to sew and its pretty good...my imagination is quite excellent for designing - I just need to know how to make the pattern and I will be set for now...untill I find some money for school


Any help I WILL FOREVER APPRECIATE!

 

[kem]

if going to fashion school is not an option now , try buying books of pattern drafting to create patterns. one book that i use in fashion school for pattern drafting is by an author called helen joseph armstrong. and try your hand and learning to do flat sketches and croquis for your designs. a good book for illustration is called " 9 Heads " by nancy riegelman. that would help alot. im in my first semester at fashion school in toronto canada and im learning sooooo much. so it is good that you do sew , maybe when you do get the opportunity taking courses towards a diploma might be good. i hope my info helps!!

 

[Elegance.Is.Refusal.]

from experience pattern drafting is quite hard to do without someone there to show you how to do it. I would be lost if i was trying to learn it at home by myself. Im not sure if there is any software out there that would do it for you. But doing it by hand is quite effective. From a basic block you can create anything by moving or removing darts, making things bigger, flaring things out or taking them in.

if you havent got the money or time to go into full education see if you can find a evening class near you, so you can learn the basics then buy a book and im sure you can create any pattern you need.

 

[gius]

^I'm very curious to what you mean by it's quite hard to do... You basically need a basic block to form the rest of your designs, and it is just about accurate measurements. After that is where it gets complex maybe (the darts and so on). Is t his what you mean?

 

[zamb]

Im glad you started this thread, as i said i would help you , but didnt think that the Art/Fashion thread was best for me to post the info.

well........as the above fellow members said, it would be good to buy a book on the subject , as this may be really helpful.
also, if you have a little money ( i know you say you cant afford school, i dont understand how you cant "afford" school....., but thats another story ) and there are thrift stores near you, you can buy old garments and pick them apart to see how the pattermn pieces were made.

 

[zamb]

also, there are companies like Vogue and Butterick, that make patterns that are sold in certain craft stores, they are not really designer patterns but they are good enough for you to learn the fundamentals.
the most important part though is "training your eye" by this i mean looking at different garments and observing where the seams, darts, pockets and other parts are positioned, understanding what they do, and why they are at the position they are placed. this will help you to understant the principles of fit and proportion which is critical to pattern drafting and fit.
another great thing is, never be afraid to practice and experiment, saas the more you do the more you learn.
i have more to say but this will be enough for now, as i have a couple of things to do before i go to bed.
hope i was of help to you.

Zamb