How to become a patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products
Official title: Patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products
Also called: Fur patternmaker, Shoe patternmaker, Dress patternmaker, Canvas patternmaker, Textile marker-down, Tracer-patternmaker, Garment patternmaker, Textile mark remover, Shoe-last patternmaker, Doper - fabric products, Embroidery patternmaker, Fur garment patternmaker
Patternmakers in textile, leather and fur products create master patterns for the production of garments, footwear and other textile, leather or fur products. They are employed by pattern manufacturers, textile, leather or fur products manufacturers, or they may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Examine sketches, samples of articles and specifications of designs to determine number, size and shape of pattern parts and assess the amount of cloth required to make a product
- Draw, lay out and cut master patterns of products
- Outline parts of patterns on paper and mark patterns to indicate details such as the placement of pockets and pleats on garments, decorative stitching on shoe parts or eyelets on canvas products
- Create pattern size variations from master patterns using computer or drafting instruments, or forward patterns to computer operator to create pattern size variations
- Lay out master patterns on fabric and cut sample patterns
- Mark size, identification, style and sewing instructions on sample patterns
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is required. College courses in design and patternmaking or One to two years of on-the-job training are required. Courses in computer-assisted patternmaking may be required.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 34% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Design and applied arts; Apparel and textiles; Fine arts and art studies.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $53,586 a year The middle half earn $42,900 to $65,618.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products?
Completion of secondary school is required. College courses in design and patternmaking or One to two years of on-the-job training are required. Courses in computer-assisted patternmaking may be required.
How much does a patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $53,586 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $42,900 to $65,618.
Do you need a degree to become a patternmakers - textile, leather and fur products?
Usually not. Only 20% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03