# Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

> Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.

- **SOC code:** 51-6092.00
- **Canonical URL:** https://singulariki.com/roles/role-51-6092-00
- **Also known as:** Designer, Pattern Designer, Pattern Maker, Production Pattern Maker, Cutter, Fabric Cutter, Pattern Technician, Sewing Pattern Layout Technician
- **Frame:** "AI exposure" means task overlap (how codifiable the work is), not jobs lost or a forecast. Every figure below is traced to a named public dataset.

## What this work is

**Core tasks** (O*NET):
- Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.
- Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
- Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.
- Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.
- Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
- Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.
- Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.
- Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
- Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.
- Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.
- Discuss design specifications with designers, and convert their original models of garments into patterns of separate parts that can be laid out on a length of fabric.
- Examine sketches, sample articles, and design specifications to determine quantities, shapes, and sizes of pattern parts, and to determine the amount of material or fabric required to make a product.

## Skills, tools, capabilities

**Knowledge, skills & abilities** (O*NET, highest importance first):
- Design _(knowledge)_
- Visualization _(ability)_
- Near Vision _(ability)_
- Mathematics _(knowledge)_
- English Language _(knowledge)_
- Production and Processing _(knowledge)_
- Critical Thinking _(essential_skill)_
- Originality _(ability)_
- Information Ordering _(ability)_
- Written Comprehension _(ability)_
- Oral Expression _(ability)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(ability)_

**Skills in demand:**
- Visualization _(Specialized Skill)_
- Mathematics _(Common Skill)_
- English Language _(Common Skill)_
- Information Ordering _(Specialized Skill)_
- Critical Thinking _(Common Skill)_
- Deductive Reasoning _(Common Skill)_
- Microsoft Excel _(Common Skill)_
- Finger Dexterity _(Common Skill)_
- Adobe Photoshop _(Specialized Skill)_
- Adobe Illustrator _(Specialized Skill)_
- Active Listening _(Common Skill)_
- Time Management _(Common Skill)_

**Tools & technology:**
- Adobe Illustrator _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Adobe Photoshop _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Autodesk AutoCAD _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Excel _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Microsoft Office software _(hot technology, in demand)_
- Adobe Creative Cloud software _(hot technology)_
- Adobe InDesign _(hot technology)_
- Microsoft Outlook _(hot technology)_
- Microsoft Word _(hot technology)_
- Gerber Technology AccuMark
- PatternMaker

## AI exposure & outlook

- **AI task-overlap index:** 45th percentile (Moderate) across all occupations — composite of current-era exposure studies (ai-exposure-index-v1).
- **Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.):** 46th percentile (Moderate) — source: felten_aioe.
- **LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou):** 67th percentile (High) — source: eloundou_gamma.
- **AI assistant applicability (Microsoft):** 26th percentile (Low) — source: microsoft_applicability.
- **Frey–Osborne (2013, historical computerization estimate):** 4th percentile — kept separate from current-era studies.
- **Remote-capable (Dingel–Neiman):** yes — task structure, not who actually works remote.
- **Projected employment (BLS 2024–34):** -10.2% growth (Declining); 0.3k annual openings; 2.8k → 2.5k jobs.
- **Pay & employment (BLS OEWS, May 2024):** median $67,670; 2,860 employed.

## Sources

- **O*NET** (30.3) — U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development. https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html
- **BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** (May 2024) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- **BLS Employment Projections** (2024–2034) — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- **Microsoft “Working with AI”** (working-with-ai) — Microsoft Research. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/
- **“GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.)** (arXiv 2303.10130) — OpenAI / academic. https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130
- **AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE)** (Felten, Raj & Seamans) — academic. https://github.com/AIOE-Data/AIOE
- **Frey & Osborne (2013)** (frey-osborne-automation) — academic. https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/publications/the-future-of-employment/
- **Dingel & Neiman (2020)** (dingel-neiman-workathome) — academic. https://github.com/jdingel/DingelNeiman-workathome

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_Generated from Singulariki's joined dataset; data snapshot 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00. https://singulariki.com/roles/role-51-6092-00_