If you love to sew and make clothes, then there is a career for you. Pattern making, or pattern cutting in the U.K., is the career of making clothes. These specialists know how to draft patterns that will be the blue prints for garment construction.
There are several techniques and levels for which you can perform as a professional Pattern Maker. You can create patterns for mass production which relies on grading to create sizing such as small, medium, large. You can create patterns for an individual client by taking their measurements and drafting patterns specific to them.
People who make clothes as a career work with Fashion Designers or alone. The Fashion Design provides a sketch of the garment design and the Pattern Maker will create the pattern for the garment.
Pattern Makers can also create their own clothing designs. Typically Pattern Makers turn over new garment innovations more slowly than a Fashion Designer because the pattern drafting process is an engineering type process. However, when a Pattern Maker creates a new design, they are considered major innovators. A good example is Coco Chanel.
A highly skilled Pattern Maker can be called a Pattern Designer. Pattern Designers can create highly sophisticated mass market patterns with excellent efficiency and use of resources. In addition, Pattern Designers can tailor patterns to specifically fit a client uniquely. The best Pattern Designer can also take highly precise measurements, taking account of every curve of the body, to create a one-of-a-kind garment.
Pattern making, in modern French couture method, is the most sophisticated form of creating garments. Students educated in this technique bring new results to the fashion industry for the mass market and one-of-a-kind, luxury market.
One fashion institute preparing students in this skill is Academy of Couture Art in Los Angeles. The fashion college brings the sophisticated design techniques from Paris to the United States. The unique blend of French couture with production provides fashion designers and pattern makers with advanced skills for the career.
Academy of Couture Art’s Associate of Art degree in Pattern Design provides specialized and highly sufficient skills to perform immediately as an Assistant to a Head Pattern Maker. The Bachelor of Science degree in Pattern Design brings graduates to the level of Head Pattern Maker.
Do not be confused by Fashion Designer and Pattern Maker. Those in top level positions in a fashion company perform these tasks separately. Academy of Couture Art surveys for graduates performing as Fashion Designer show that Fashion designers do not use skills such as sew and construct garment on the job.
A career in making clothes is very rewarding. If you are a freelance pattern maker, you can manage your work day per project. Through Academy of Couture Art surveys, graduates who perform freelance as Pattern Makers can make anywhere from $50 – $300 per sample.
The best way to be prepared for a high level career in making clothes is to specialize in the studies of Pattern Making. This will ensure that you access more in-depth training to make a wide range of garments. In addition, course studies in French couture will best prepare you to be an innovator in making clothes.
The best degree in making clothes is at the Bachelor level. In the four year program, you can go beyond the foundations to create very complicated pieces such as coats, gowns, suits, and garments of rich creativity such as couture.
Fashion institutes that offer fashion show exposure is very important when considering a fashion college. When you graduate with a Bachelor degree in making clothes, you should be able to show the industry your creativity and innovations. Runway exposure provides the best access to industry professionals and names who would be clients for your fashion art.
As well, Pattern Designers need to have a strong working knowledge of the manufacturing process in collaboration with Fashion Designers. From the design concept, to pattern drafting, including textiles and components, branding, and beyond is crucial for high level preparation in the career of making clothes.
Pattern Designers have great potential to enrich fabrics in couture style. Their diverse understanding of fabrics and specialized skills in sewing provide strong foundations for artistic creation on fabrics. Rich fabrics typically on the couture runway can go for anywhere between $300 – $500 per yard. If you are also highly educated in these skills, you can sell your hand sampled work to major fabric companies.
To learn more about what you need to know in order to be the best Pattern Designer in fashion, explore the curriculum at schools reputable for making clothes. Check the quality of the garments made. Explore the fit and trust your eye to see the line of beauty. You can also explore the companies in which graduates receive jobs. One notable school placing graduates in luxury level and highly technical pattern making positions is Academy of Couture Art, Los Angeles.
If your hobby is making clothes, then you have an amazing future in Pattern Making. Quality pattern makers are in high demand.
