Fashion designers are the artists of the apparel industry. They create ideas for a range of products including coats, dresses, hats, handbags, and underwear. Most fashion designers work for apparel manufacturers or retailers, adapting fashion trends for specific markets. Before sewing can begin, pattern pieces must be made, layouts determined, and fabric cut. Grading once was a time-consuming job, but now it is quickly completed with the aid of a computer.
Markers determine the best arrangement of pattern pieces to minimize wasted fabric.
The layout arrangement is then given to cutters . In less automated companies, cutters may use electric knives or cutting machines to cut pattern pieces. In more automated facilities, markers electronically send the layout to a computer-controlled cutting machine, and the cutter monitors the machine's work. As a result, computer-controlled machine operators are replacing many cutters. Sewing machine operators assemble or finish clothes or other goods such as curtains and purses.