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. Patternmakers create the blueprint or pattern pieces for a particular apparel design. This often involves 'grading', or adjusting the pieces for different sized garments. Grading once was a time-consuming job, but now it can be quickly completed with the aid of a computer.
Markers determine the best arrangement of pattern pieces to minimise 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.