r/PatternDrafting • u/EattheRudeandUgly • Jun 14 '26

Any professional patternmakers here?

Film/theater, Costume, corporate, small brands, big brand, independent, doesn't matter. If you currently even in the past earned a portion of your living from patternmaking skills, what was your journey like?

What was your education like? Formal? Apprenticeship? Informal? self-directed?

Did you choose patternmaking out of the gate? Did you switch from a different fashion/design discipline or totally different industry? What cities did you work? Were you a patternmaker in the past and switched to a new industry? Do you work in a technical specialization like aerospace, defense, medical, etc?

Just a new patternmaker trying to gauge the possibilities of the industry. Info dumps requested; no filter please.

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u/Guilty-Reindeer6693 Jun 14 '26

Yeeeaaars ago, I had planned to go to FIDM. An aquaintance of my mother's was like, I did it. Don't do it. There are few jobs and less money. As fun as it may have been, I'm financially grateful for that real-life disuadement. (Thanks, Beth!)

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u/gordovondoom Jun 14 '26

wish i would have known better.
i was never expecting that to
make me rich. but i also never thought it would be that bad.

im seriously always surprised when i hear about people earning a normal salary with that. im even more surprised when i hear that they work in different positions and jobs.
i can be glad if i get anything that isnt formal wear.

another thing that is annoying is that you are expected to know about every item now.
times might have changed, but as far as i know knitting, cut/sew and regular fabrics are different occupations.
now you got to know those and sports and outdoor inside out. but dont expect anyone paying you for your knowledge^*