It might be convenient to work with a patternmaker who can do it all, but it may not be your best option. You’ll probably end up with a better experience and better product if you work with a patternmaker who is specialized – even if it means working with more than one person for the different types of products you offer.
Patternmakers don’t just have the skills to create a pattern. They can provide a lot more.
A specialized patternmaker can bring knowledge to your project like:
- Understanding of legal requirements for the product type (this is especially important for kids and baby clothes)
- Personal experience with the use case for the product (e.g. military uniforms or pro sports gear)
- Expertise in fit for a certain market (petite, tall, juniors, missy, and womens plus all have different proportions)
- Production knowledge of a price point (knowing what finishes are appropriate for a $10, $100, $1,000, or $10,000 garment makes a difference. Patternmaking for commercial versus couture is not the same.)
- Block libraries and grade rules made for certain fabric types (believe it or not, grading knits and grading wovens is different)
Can you find a patternmaker that works in all categories, markets, and fabric types? Maybe. But if your product is specialized, it might be worth working with a patternmaker who is specialized in that area too.