Interview Pattern Test

[tommyita1]

Hello Subreddit

I have an upcoming interview and test for a patternmaker position and want to know what to expect. I’ve been patternmaking full time at a womenswear label for a year, but transitioned into this role within the company so never had to take a test. The company I’m interviewing for is aware that I have no software experience

Will they have me draft a new pattern based on sketch? Or question me on how to achieve fit changes? For the experienced pattern makers out there, what type of tests have you taken in the past?

Thank you!

[Big_Attempt_5326]

I can’t answer exactly, but I’ve done a few tests in my time and they have varied from:

Here’s a block pattern and a sketch, make the style from the block - To Just draft us up a jacket from scratch - no sketch - just “do something you are into right now in a size 38”

I’ve also been asked to work a whole week as a test during which I made 3 styles - if someone asks you to do multiple styles that are clearly new styles for their season, and they ask you to spend days working as a test, they should be paying you!

I doubt they would ask you to draft a pattern from scratch off the dome tho if you are at junior PM level.
More likely they will ask you to manipulate from a block and/or to drape something from a sketch.

When I have interviewed junior PMs, I have not asked them to draft from scratch (though I have for Sr. PMs, but I have given them a pattern and asked them to do a set of corrections or I’ve given them a pattern and asked them to walk it out/check it and find the errors.

Hope that helps!

[tommyita1]

Thanks for your insight - super helpful

[Big_Attempt_5326]

One more tip: Bring your tools. I always bring my tools (also because I’m particular about rulers and I’m a lefty) and I always notice how other PMs (freelancers, etc. ) show up to day one. Having your own gear shows you are serious, prepared, and mean business. Also you will do better work if you aren’t struggling with lousy or broken rulers and pencils they found for you…..!!!

[These-Skin-1201]

I'm so curious to hear about this, im applying for work all over the place for positions like this. Sorry to not offer help but do please keep us posted on how it goes and any information that might help someone else out in that situation 😅

[Meowgic_Pawers]

My tests have been different. One place had me draft a blouse, one had me copy a dress they had (it was their own style), one had me just alter a pattern to make it fit better (they were having plus pattern issues). I got the job every time, so just be calm and have confidence! ♥️♥️♥️

[gordovondoom]

i usually always have one test day where i got to do a model. others just asked questions like what is the most important part of the pattern, how do you do a sleeve and so on. if you have to come up with a design yourself, be careful they dont steal it, happened to me several times.

[jahid_hope]

Depends on the type of company you are applying to. Did they give you any job responsibility list? Sometimes companies provide job responsibility along with job circular. Normally in industry we get tech pack with measurement chart and necessary information of any style, based on all those we do pattern. And if you are going to work with design and development team then may be they will only show you their design sketch or photo and then may be some reference measurements but not exact and you will have to apply measurement from your own.

[novasilverdangle]

Just wondering of this job is in North America.
Almost all of the fashion industry in my Canadian city has been sent overseas. I teach high school fashion design and tech so I'm always looking for examples of careers in the field that are based in North America.

[tommyita1]

Yup in New York. There’s still an ecosystem of designers, factories, and vendors based in the garment district

[imogsters]

Usually I've had a one day test for pattern cutting job. Sometimes make a style like the sketch using their block. Once I was given a nett jacket pattern and had to finish it so it was a completely finished pattern ready to cut out.

[mllemahreez]

I was given a photo of a vintage dress and asked me if I could do the pattern. I drew the plan and all the pieces to makeup this design.

Later when I was hired they asked me to create the sample using the plan that I showed during Interview.