Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Also called: Cutter · Designer · Fabric Cutter · Pattern Designer · Pattern Maker · Pattern Technician
Median pay (national)
$67,670
$34,590–$112,540 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,860
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-10.2%
~300 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for fabric and apparel patternmakers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $112,540 versus $34,590 at the bottom 10% — 3.3x. The median of $67,670 leaves roughly 66% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -10.2% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 12 states with released data, New York pays the most for this role (median $100,350, +48% vs the national median), while Texas sits lowest at $33,300 — a 201% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material, and mark fabric accordingly.
- Trace outlines of specified patterns onto material, and cut fabric, using scissors.
- 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.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe InDesign
- Gerber Technology AccuMark
- PatternMaker
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management