Procedure of Pattern Making

The importance and necessity of pattern maker in apparel industry is inexpressible. A pattern maker can convert fashion designers imagination to the materialized. A pattern maker is he who makes garment pattern based on Fashion designers/Design team provided idea/sketch. The sustainable of a design mostly depends on pattern makers expertise, efficiency and capability. As we know the fabric cost of a garment is required 50% (percent) of total value. So, if 1% fabric cost is possible to save by efficient pattern maker, this will increase the profit margin. So we can easily realize the significance role of a pattern maker in apparel industry to gain the profit margin. 

A pattern maker working procedure has mentioned below.

A) Work Sheet Review

1) Have to review all the packages/ program completely point by point for clear understanding. For this task pattern maker should consult with concern merchandiser regularly.

2) Have to collect the entire basic information/Development manual to follow that package.

3) Have to confirm all the packages are clearly understood. It will be better if receive any reference sample from buyers end to review.

4) Have to know sample development schedule and dispatch time before start pattern.

5) If any confutation or unclear point, should clear it before start pattern making.

B) Basic Pattern

1) Check previous season or buyer mention block to avoid fit problem.

2) Check block measurement and write beside of new style measurement sheet.

3) Should carefully rectify block for new style.

4) Consider measurement loose for sewing, refer to previous similar style.

5) Consider the design line from mark sample or sketch.

6) If available copy pattern construction from previous style.

7) Should use mark and pin sample to make new style pattern.

8) Should apply update comments to avoid any missing and mistake.

C) Style Pattern

1) Before create the style pattern have to understand all the construction clearly.

2) Have to understand importance of notches & internals for details.

3) Have understood seam allowance requirements based on machine & product construction.

4) Add fabrication as mention BOM with compare sketch details.

5) Proceed to make lining pattern from shell pattern based on style.

6) Check the full style pattern again ones ready, Like Join seam, fabrication, notches,

Internals, seam allowance and all parts are created.

7) Pattern maker should make some mock up for critical points to fit the sample and consult with seniors if necessary.

D) Marker Making

1) Have to make correct model with all the pattern and correct fabrication.

2) Before start the marker, Pattern and Marker man has to check Fabrication with fabric type and all pattern pieces are there to avoid any missing and mistake.

3) Marker man should collect all the fabric width information.

E) Sewing Pattern

1) Have to study buyer spec sheet clearly and sketch details attentively and follow all of their sewing pattern guide line.

2) Have to print out all needed pattern and be ready for sewing.

3) The entire finish pattern should be plot finish pattern, should not with allowance.

4) All the important position should be confirm by seniors.

Beside this a pattern maker has to maintain below responsibilities:

As we know if a pattern maker makes a mistake it will bring great loss to concern garments company. So garments owner should take care of pattern section and give them good working environment with motivation. It’s human nature that whenever they will get more and then they will pay more attention to their duties.

1) To be energetic for the development of patterns regularly and no compromise against product quality & measurement.

2) Have to find out quick solution against any problem arisen regarding patterns and identify root causes if some lines fail to achieve hourly target and take prompt corrective actions.

3) To be sincere to fulfill the pattern demand of buyers to improve the product quality.

4) To keep-up communication through e-mail or other way with the concern parties.

5)  Motivate and give training to subordinates to enrich their stillness.

6) Communicate with Merchandiser, CAD, Cutting, Printing, Embroidery, QC and Sewing floor for any functional requirement.

7) Hardly devoted to achieve the company's goal.

8) Promptly implement the instruction of higher management.

9) Should have sound knowledge regarding the utilization of equipment/machinery in production floor to ensure the product quality during pattern making. 

Note: All the pattern maker should follow this entire guide line perfectly without fall to minimize the mistake. We should realize that our entire attempt will become all in vain if the pattern maker not maintain the above instruction strictly and not finished his task carefully. It will be better if there a cordial relation between pattern maker and concern merchandiser to expedite above task.