Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Miscellaneous Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers

Production Occupations

Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers

Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.

Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.

Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.

Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.

Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.

Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.

Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.

Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.

Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.

Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Autodesk AutoCAD

Gerber Technology AccuMark

PatternMaker

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft Word

Curve sticks

Hip curve rulers

See-through rulers

Yard sticks

Pattern punches

Screw punches

Fabric shears

Pattern paper cutters

Seam rippers

Pattern boards

Steel straight pins

Measuring tapes

Sewing pattern notchers

Serrated sewing pattern tracing wheels

Round knives

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Every day

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Extremely important

Very important

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Constant contact with others

Contact with others most of the time

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Important

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

A lot of freedom

Some freedom

Limited freedom

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Overview

Career

What Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Do

Other Job Titles Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Overview

Career

What Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Do

Other Job Titles Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

Majors Related to Career

Related Leaders