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Garment Pattern Making Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Black Lapel

Client Service Specialist - Chicago

Chicago, IL

$17.50 - $23.25/hr

We pride ourselves on making every experience from the first appointment in our Pattern-Room to reordering garments online as simple and convenient as possible through consistent and replicable fit ...

Blank Label

Client Service Specialist - Chicago

Chicago, IL · On-site

$17.50 - $23.25/hr

We pride ourselves on making every experience from the first appointment in our Pattern-Room to reordering garments online as simple and convenient as possible through consistent and replicable fit ...

Blank Label

Client Service Specialist - Chicago

Chicago, IL

$17.50 - $23.25/hr

We pride ourselves on making every experience from the first appointment in our Pattern-Room to reordering garments online as simple and convenient as possible through consistent and replicable fit ...

Blank Label

Client Service Specialist - Chicago

Chicago, IL

$17.50 - $23.25/hr

We pride ourselves on making every experience from the first appointment in our Pattern-Room to reordering garments online as simple and convenient as possible through consistent and replicable fit ...

All JobsGarment Pattern Making JobsGarment Pattern Making Jobs in Chicago, IL

Garment Pattern Making information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$34.5K

$79.7K

$129.8K

How much do garment pattern making jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for garment pattern making in Chicago, IL is $79,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,400.00 and $88,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for someone in garment pattern making?

A typical day in garment pattern making often includes analyzing designer sketches, creating first patterns (either by hand or with CAD software), modifying existing patterns for different sizes, and collaborating closely with sample makers and production teams to test and refine patterns. You may also be responsible for checking the fit and balance of samples, troubleshooting construction issues, and maintaining pattern libraries. The role requires consistent communication with designers and technical staff to ensure all patterns meet design and quality standards. This hands-on, detail-oriented work is key to producing well-fitting, manufacturable garments on tight timelines.

How much money do pattern makers make?

Pattern makers in the garment industry typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and skill level. Senior or specialized pattern makers with advanced skills can earn higher salaries, especially in fashion hubs or large manufacturing companies.

What is a Garment Pattern Making job?

A Garment Pattern Making job involves creating templates for clothing production based on design sketches or specifications. Pattern makers use manual drafting techniques or computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop patterns that ensure proper fit and style. They also adjust patterns based on fabric properties, sizing requirements, and manufacturing processes. This role requires precision, technical skills, and an understanding of garment construction. Pattern makers work closely with designers and production teams to bring fashion concepts to life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Garment Pattern Making position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Garment Pattern Making, you need strong knowledge of textile construction, pattern drafting, and garment fitting, usually supported by a degree or certification in fashion design or pattern making. Familiarity with tools such as CAD pattern-making software (like Gerber or Lectra) and manual drafting instruments is highly beneficial. Keen attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication with design and production teams are crucial soft skills. These abilities ensure accurate translation of design concepts into production-ready patterns, minimizing errors and ensuring high quality.

How much do pattern cutters get paid?

Pattern cutters' salaries vary depending on experience, location, and employer, but typically range from $30,000 to $70,000 annually. Skilled pattern makers with advanced technical knowledge and CAD software proficiency tend to earn higher wages, especially in fashion hubs or large manufacturing companies.

What are the career opportunities in garment making?

Career opportunities in garment making include roles such as pattern maker, sample maker, production technician, and quality control specialist. These positions are found in apparel manufacturing companies, fashion houses, and custom tailoring shops, often requiring skills in sewing, pattern drafting, and familiarity with CAD software. Advancement can lead to supervisory or design roles, and additional certifications can enhance career prospects.

How to become a fashion pattern maker?

To become a garment pattern maker, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training or a degree in fashion design, pattern making, or a related field. Developing skills in sewing, draping, and using pattern-making software like Gerber or Optitex is essential, along with gaining experience through internships or apprenticeships in the fashion industry.
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Garment Pattern Making jobs near you
Infographic showing various Garment Pattern Making job openings in Chicago, IL as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 9% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,709 per year, or $38.3 per hour.

Adult Sewing Instructor (Part-Time)

Making It SewFun

Chicago, IL

$25 - $30/hr

Part-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Making It SewFun — Part-Time Adult Sewing Instructor


Making It SewFun is seeking a part-time Adult Sewing Instructor who is skilled, confident, and passionate about teaching the craft of sewing to adult learners. This is an opportunity to lead a classroom of motivated adult students in a structured, supportive, creative environment on Chicago's South Side.


About the Role


This role is designed for an advanced sewist who can meet adult learners exactly where they start — which, for most of our students, is at the very beginning. Our adult students — men and women — enter the You Can Make It® program as beginners and progress through a structured seven-level curriculum that builds foundational skills and takes them from basic garment construction to advanced garment construction. You will need the technical depth to teach the full range of that journey, and the patience and instinct to make every step feel achievable, encouraging, and rewarding for an adult learning something new.


Responsibilities
  • Open and close the studio according to established procedures
  • Deliver structured lessons aligned with our You Can Make It® curriculum
  • Demonstrate advanced sewing techniques with clarity and confidence
  • Guide students through sewing pattern reading, fitting, and alteration
  • Assist students in troubleshooting construction challenges
  • Conduct fittings and demonstrate pattern adjustments for a range of body variations
  • Ensure safe and appropriate use of all sewing equipment and tools
  • Record attendance and complete student evaluation sheets
  • Communicate supply needs and class updates to students as needed


Qualifications
  • Minimum 7 years of sewing experience, personal or professional
  • Advanced proficiency in garment construction, fitting, and pattern alteration
  • Ability to read, explain, and work from commercial and PDF sewing patterns with confidence
  • Experience teaching or instructing adults in sewing or a related creative skill
  • Ability to adapt instruction for students at different skill levels within the same class
  • Strong communication skills — clear, encouraging, and technically precise
  • Comfortable leading a class independently from open to close
  • One year of formal teaching or training experience preferred


About Making It SewFun


Making It SewFun opened its doors in 2004 with a belief that sewing education deserved more than a one-size-fits-all approach — not just classes, but a structured, intentional pathway that takes every student seriously and meets them where they are.


Twenty years and more than 1,000 students later, that belief has grown into something bigger. Making It SewFun is not just a sewing school. We are a creative education hub on the South Side of Chicago where serious practitioners and passionate teachers do meaningful work together.


If you are looking for more than just a part-time job — if you want to be part of a purpose-driven community that is genuinely changing lives through creativity — this is the place for you.


Location

9107 S. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60643

makingitsewfun.com


If you are an advanced sewist who loves sharing the craft with adult learners, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and bring your expertise to the Making It SewFun family.



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