The best fashion designers know how to pattern cut, Christopher Nieper of David Nieper based in the Midlands added this significant quote to a recent article in Drapers Magazine: “Designers that can’t pattern cut are at a huge disadvantage – how can you design something that can’t be made?”
Compiled by Kirsty McGregor, the FTA/Fashion Enter CEO, Jenny Holloway, was asked to comment on the rise in demand for pattern cutters being brought in-house in order to respond to market and improve fit. Jenny said: “Retailers want speed of response and more ownership on trends and designs.” The problem is there is a real skills shortage in this sector. She continues: “Companies such as Next, Marks & Spencer, River Island and ASOS are all investing in 3D CAM systems. We are joining forces with EFI (owners of Optitex) to bring 3D CAD/CAM into our new Tailoring skills Academy [due to open in summer 2019].”
This is why we have been promoting a wide range of pattern cutting courses for some time at the Fashion Technology Academy. From the 3-day Gerber AccuMark digital pattern making to the 3-hour TR Pattern Cutting taster class to more in-depth 6 and 10 week courses we have pattern courses to suit all levels from beginner through to advanced. The demand for skilled pattern cutters has never been greater and it is indeed time to bring the skill back home.