Pattern maker

In the clothing sector, pattern maker is used to describe the person who designs and oversees the production of clothing, hats, underwear, shoes, and other accessories in general. Alternatively, it can refer to the worker who prepares the prototype and makes the patterns. It has also come to refer to an employee in a workshop who produces clothing and who, often using innovative technology, prepares and tests paper patterns by making collection prototypes, enabling them to be reproduced in multiple “copies.” Immediately after the haute couture runway shows in Paris, for example, designs by the big brand companies are presented to tailors and seamstresses by distributors, who have selected them exclusively for their country. The tailors touch and examine the garments placed on mannequins and choose the ones they consider to be most suitable for their clientele. They then purchase the paper patterns, which serve as a basis (especially for the cut) in order to create several garments. The paper patterns are not sold exclusively. At the after-show presentations several tailors from a single city are often present and they sometimes buy the same designs. In addition to the paper patterns, which are reproduced by pattern makers, tailors can also obtain the exact information for the other details, such as buttons and embroideries. However, these references represent an extra cost. Some seamstresses, after having attended the necessary schools, are specialized in the creation of paper models, so that they can produce their own, exclusive designs, taking inspiration from current trends, modifying and personalizing them according to their clients’ wishes. Some of the most famous representatives of this profession are Rina Pedrini, Rivella, Zenobia and Naide of Turin, and the Guidi sisters.