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Manufacturing & Production · Updated Aug 2026

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers

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

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
AI Exposure
56/100
Moderate

How much of this occupation’s work can be materially affected by current AI systems.

Replacement Risk
52/100
Moderate

How likely exposure is to translate into reduced human demand.

Includes provisional estimates for AI adoption pressure and labour-market resilience. How this is measured

Evidence quality
Confidence82/100
Task coverage87%

Confidence reflects task coverage, mapping and capability-evidence quality, and how much of the score rests on provisional inputs.

Task-level evidence

What is driving the score?

Occupation scores are built from the task mix—not a single prediction about a job title.

JVS 2.0.0-phase4b
TaskImportanceAI impactExposure
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.High
74
Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.High
77
Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.High
74
Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.High
76
Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.High
77
Discuss design specifications with designers, and convert their original models of garments into patterns of separate parts that can be laid out on a length of fabric.High
76
Determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material, and mark fabric accordingly.High
76
Create design specifications to provide instructions on garment sewing and assembly.High
77
Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.High
39
Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.High
32
Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.High
29
Examine sketches, sample articles, and design specifications to determine quantities, shapes, and sizes of pattern parts, and to determine the amount of material or fabric required to make a product.High
31
Trace outlines of specified patterns onto material, and cut fabric, using scissors.Medium
18
Trace outlines of paper onto cardboard patterns, and cut patterns into parts to make templates.Medium
18
Most exposed

Where AI can do more

Routine, digitized, and highly repeatable tasks face the greatest pressure.

  1. Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.77
  2. Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.77
  3. Create design specifications to provide instructions on garment sewing and assembly.77
  4. Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.76
Hardest to automate

Where people still matter

These tasks score lowest on automation feasibility—physical presence, judgement, accountability and real-world variability all resist end-to-end automation.

  1. Trace outlines of specified patterns onto material, and cut fabric, using scissors.01
  2. Trace outlines of paper onto cardboard patterns, and cut patterns into parts to make templates.02
  3. Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.03
  4. Examine sketches, sample articles, and design specifications to determine quantities, shapes, and sizes of pattern parts, and to determine the amount of material or fabric required to make a product.04
  5. Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.05
Where else this work leads

Related occupations

Occupations O*NET links to this one. Relatedness reflects shared work, not a claim that these roles are safer.

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Beyond AI capability

Adoption and labour-market outlook

Structural factors are kept separate from raw capability so you can see what actually resists automation. Adoption pressure and labour-market resilience are still provisional models—25% of this occupation’s replacement-risk weight rests on them.

Human dependency67
Physical dependency49
Adoption pressure52
Labour-market resilience59
Methodology & sources

O*NET 30.3 occupational data interpreted through the JobsVsAI capability, automation and structural-constraint models.

Confidence82/100
CalculatedAug 21, 2026
Read methodology →