What does a pattern maker do?

One of the most crucial, but often forgotten, role in the design process.

A designer comes up with an idea and a sketch. What’s next?

Well of course if you’re an independent designer, you’ll do everything on your own. But normally, a designer would give the sketch or the draft of the idea to what’s called a pattern maker.

The pattern maker’s job is to translate the designer’s idea onto a piece of fabric. Most importantly, the pattern maker needs to be able to understand what the designer wants, to alter the pattern accordingly.

I am no expert on this meticulous craft and it is better that I hand this over to those with experience. I’ve interviewed Aoife Murray and Paulson Chibueze Nwadiukwu, two pattern makers that possess extensive knowledge and experience in the industry, asking them about the intricacies and significance of a pattern maker in the design process.