FASHION CAREERS: Pattern Companies

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FASHION CAREERSPattern Companies

• Lacie Peacok, Nicole Gonzalez, Noel Laws, Andrea
  Cudal

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Careers in Pattern Companies

• Sketch Assistant
• Pattern Checker
• Grader
• Instruction writer
• Technical Illustrator
• Customer Service Representative

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Sketch Assistant
Job Description Create technical sketches of garments (also known as technical flats) to clearly convey how garment may be fabricated Sketch drawings for presentation Sometimes help select fabric appropriate to achieve designs silhouette, texture and structural elements
Personality Qualifications Personable, able to work in partnership with designer. Creative and vocal about sharing ideas and suggestions Punctual, highly organized, always intent on completing tasks in a timely manner Perfectionist, keen on details
Should be good at Illustration, understanding how different fabrics drape over the body, knowing where to draw appropriate darts/seam lines/pleats and other structural elements to make sense of garment design
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Pattern Checker
Job Description Checks for pattern accuracy and trues/corrects inconsistencies in patterns Helps designer identify problems in pattern that affect garment outcome Interprets designers fitting notes and applies changes to pattern to achieve designers desired fit Creates sample garment of corrected patterns Add patterns for interfacing, contrasts, etc
Personality Qualifications Personable able to work in partnership with designer. Highly observant Punctual, organized, always intent on completing tasks in a timely manner Perfectionist, keen on details Comfortable with repetitive tasks Innovative
Should be good at Garment construction, knowing the importance of right/wrong sides, seam allowances, grainlines, notches, and proper labeling. Measuring quickly and accaurately. Visualizing how a pattern should be to achieve a certain look of a garment.
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Pattern Grader
Job Description Adapt pattern blocks/slopers to create smaller and larger sizes Use Computer-aided design (CAD) to manipulate a pattern into a range of sizes Properly label, mark and notch patterns
Personality Qualifications Analytical thinker Able to work with others Punctual, highly organized, always intent on completing tasks in a timely manner Perfectionist, keen on details Comfortable with repetitive tasks
Should be good at Scaling patterns, knowing the difference in pattern sizes, measuring accurately
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Instruction Writer
Job Description Make scale drawings of garments and their parts for use in reproduction Work from sample garments or designers sketches to understand the manner in which garment is to be assembled Convey in words clear instructions for arranging patterns for cutting and assembling Create charts that identify each pattern piece and properly name each for quick understanding of what the pattern piece is for
Personality Qualifications Analytical thinker Perfectionist, keen on details Well-spoken, concise Able to work with others Punctual, highly organized, always intent on completing tasks in a timely manner
Should be good at Writing, illustration (at least technical flats), clothing construction, knowing various construction terms,
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Technical Illustrator
Job Description Enhance written instructions of patterns with visual representations Work from sample garments or designers sketches to understand the manner in which garment is assembled Use symbols and shading to represent specific pattern instructions
Personality Qualifications Analytical thinker Perfectionist, keen on details Creative Good at communication without using words Imaginative and visual
Should be good at Illustrating, replacing words with images, knowing how garmetns are constructed, various types of stitihing and seams
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Customer Service Rep
Job Description Provide exceptional customer service by communicating with customers Be informative about companies goals/initiatives and what the company provides Answer questions and come up with quck solutions to resolve customer problems Follow up with customers, understand and build rapports for future business and networking
Personality Qualifications Personable, outgoing Quick critical thinker Creative and ambitious Strong communication skills Convincing
Should be good at Working with people, using various communication technologies, using verbal skills effectively
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More career info
EDUCATION REQUIRED (minimum) SALARY RANGE (per year) LOCATION(S)
Sketch Asst AA/AS degree in Fashion Design 23k - 36k CA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international
Pattern Checker Certificate or years of experience in pattern drafting 20k - 50k (can increase with experience) CA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international
Grader Certificate or years of experience in pattern drafting 20k - 50k (can increase with experience) CA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international
Instruction Writer HS but certificate/degree preferred 20k - 35k CA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international
Technical Illustrator AA/AS degree in Art, Illustration, or Fashion Design 23k - 36k CA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international
Cust. Serv. Rep HS but training and experience preferred 20k to 30k CA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international