Pattern cutter

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could do a college course, for example:

• Level 2 Certificate in Pattern Cutting
• Level 2 Diploma in Fashion
• Level 3 Diploma Garment Technology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can do a fashion and textiles pattern cutter advanced apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

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

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

Career tips

To get onto courses and find jobs, you'll need a portfolio of your work to show off your skills and creative ideas.

Professional and industry bodies

You may find it useful to join The Textile Institute for professional recognition, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to work on your own
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Your day-to-day duties may include:

• draping pieces of material over a dummy, shaping and pinning them around the ‘body’ until they fit correctly, then cutting out a pattern based on the pieces
• altering and shaping flat, standard pattern 'blocks' into a style
• modifying non-standard pattern 'bases' taken from the company's pattern library
• working with machinists to make up samples
• using computer-aided design programs to make up some patterns
• using traditional hand-drawing methods
• working closely with the in-house sample machinist or manufacturer to make up an example garment
• working with designers and garment technologists to produce the final pattern

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