Pattern cutter

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist and short courses

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in fashion or garment technology.

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course, for example:

• Level 2 Award in Fashion - Pattern Cutting
• Level 2 Diploma in Fashion
• Level 3 Certificate in Fashion and Textiles

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can do a material cutter intermediate apprenticeship, or fashion and textiles pattern cutter advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could start as a pattern cutting assistant or sample machinist with a clothing manufacturer or fashion design company and work your way up.

OtherRoutes

You can do short courses in pattern cutting through university fashion departments, colleges and adult education centres.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• physical skills like movement, coordination and dexterity
• the ability to work on your own
• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of maths
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to organise your time and workload
• active listening skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• business management skills
• knowledge of engineering science and technology

What you'll do:

Pattern cutters create pattern templates based on drawings from a fashion designer to make clothes.

In your day-to-day duties you may:

• follow the designer's notes and instructions
• drape and pin material pieces onto a dummy to get the right fit, then cut out a pattern based on the pieces
• alter and shape flat, standard pattern 'blocks' into a style
• modify non-standard pattern 'bases' taken from the company's pattern library
• work with machinists to make up product samples
• use computer-aided design programs to make up patterns
• use traditional hand-drawing methods
• check quality
• work with designers and garment technologists to produce a final pattern ready for production

Location : You could work in a workshop, in a factory or in a creative studio.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £30,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

36 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends occasionally

Career Path:

You could become head pattern cutter or grader or, with further training, move into fashion design or buying.