Definition of Designer, Stylist, Pattern Maker

These three terms are not synonymous, although one may function in all three capacities. The stylist set a trend. Sloped shoulders, nipped in waistlines, raised or lowered hemlines and definite color combinations are examples of style trends. The designer creates specific products in accordance with the trend. The pattern maker drafts the pattern necessary to produce the creation. The designer may create by making a sketch which is forwarded to the draper or patternmaker for execution. Some designers drape or draft the final production pattern directly without making a sketch. Apparel patterns are made with one of two basic methods.

1. Draping the garment on a form or model with muslin or the fabric used to make the garments. The production pattern is traced from the muslin or fabric cuts.

2. Drafting the pattern on a paper with either direct measurements for the pattern or developing the pattern draft with the aid of a sloper.

3. The fundamentals of Apparel Production: Apparel and allied products are commonly referred to in many circles as the “Soft-goods” industries or “Needle-Trade” industries. Originally, this encompassed any industry producing products. (1) which are made from fabric (or similar raw materials, such as leather, plastic etc) or (2) which are produced largely with sewing machines.

The degree to which each of three factors of apparel (quality, style, durability, and utility) must be present in order to win consumer approval for a sale will, of course vary with the product. It is true in some cases, that one are more of these values have very minute values which may be evaluated as zero for practical purpose. For example, in many types of work clothes, the style or emotional appeal, may be evaluated as zero because the range of styles that would satisfy the individual, when the required durability and utility factors are present, is practically infinite.