FASHION CAREERS: Pattern Companies Lacie Peacok, Nicole Gonzalez, Noel Laws, Andrea Cudal

Careers in Pattern Companies Sketch Assistant Pattern Checker Grader Instruction writer Technical Illustrator Customer Service Representative

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

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.

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

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,

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

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

More career info… EDUCATION REQUIRED (minimum) SALARY RANGE (per year) LOCATION(S) Sketch Asst AA/AS degree in Fashion Design $23k - $36kCA, 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 - $35kCA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international Technical Illustrator AA/AS degree in Art, Illustration, or Fashion Design $23k - $36kCA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international Cust. Serv. Rep HS but training and experience preferred $20k to $30kCA, NY, FL, OR, NC or international