Selecting a competent pattern designer to work with hand-made patterns on cardboard is one of the most difficult tasks for the owner of an atelier or sewing production. A beautiful resume and diploma do not guarantee that a specialist can build products with ideal balance and accurately calculate the increase in freedom of fit. In this manual, we provide a checklist of practice questions and test tasks to accurately assess the candidate.
Contents of the article
- Criterion 1. Understanding the geometry of the balance of the back and shelf
- Criterion 2. Construction and pairing of a complex set-in sleeve
- Criterion 3. Modeling darts and transferring to relief seams
- Criterion 4. Knowledge of technological allowances and cutting specifications
- Expert advice: how to conduct a 20-minute practice session
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Criterion 1. Understanding the geometry of the balance of the back and shelf
Ask the candidate how they determine the balance of the shoulder piece on a figure with a hunched or slouched posture. A competent specialist will immediately explain the change in the length of the front and back to the waist and the shift in the shoulder seam.
Criterion 2. Construction and pairing of a complex set-in sleeve
Ask to build a sleeve cap according to the given armhole. The fit rate of the edging should be 0.08–0.14 per centimeter of the armhole (depending on the density of the fabric), and the control marks on the sleeve and the armhole of the front/back should match perfectly.
Criterion 3. Modeling darts and transferring them into raised seams
Test your technical modeling skills: converting a bust dart into a side seam, neckline or French rib without distorting the center of the chest and the volume of the cup.
Criterion 4. Knowledge of technological allowances and cutting specifications
A specialist must perfectly navigate the width of allowances for specific sewing machines (overlock 0.7 cm, straight stitch 1.0 cm, hem 3.0–4.0 cm) and indicate control cuts on cardboard patterns.
Advice for employers
Don't waste time on long theoretical interviews: give the candidate some graph paper and ask them to build a stand-up collar or a hood pattern. And the reference database of precise designs can always be found in the catalog ready-made patterns Vykroyka.com.ua.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How much time should a qualified designer spend on the basic basis of a dress?
An experienced craftsman builds the exact base of a semi-fitting dress on graph paper, calculating all the formulas in 35–50 minutes.
Is it necessary to require knowledge of CAD from a manual designer?
For individual tailoring and small ateliers, a deep understanding of hand modeling is much more valuable, as it forms a true three-dimensional vision of the figure.
Expertly designed patterns are the key to a perfect fit of any product. To be the first to learn about the intricacies of design, modeling and trends in the sewing world, subscribe to our video channel Pattern - Ready-made patterns.
