You may think it’s impossible to have a career as a freelance pattern maker in the fashion industry. And you’d probably think it’s even more impossible to do it from a rural town. But that’s exactly what David Russon does. In today’s episode of the SFD podcast, he shares exactly how he built his freelance career and now earns a full-time living doing work he loves: pattern drafting and sample sewing.
David does work for established and startup indie brands to help make sure their designs fit perfect (one of the most important parts).
When I first showed up to David’s studio in Greeley, CO (a farm town an hour outside of Denver), I had no idea what would be behind this unassuming door:
Turns out, it’s David studio where he does all his freelance pattern maker work:
I was lucky enough that David not only agreed to an audio interview, but he also let Marc and I bust out cameras for our (FIRST!) video documentary (eek!).
Below are three of the videos:
Next, listen to the interview below where David and I talk about:
- What a freelance pattern maker in the fashion industry does
- What is a block, cutter’s must, grading, and other terminology a pattern maker uses (hey designers – you should know this stuff too!)
- How to get started as a freelancer (even if you don’t live in a fashion hub)
- The importance of networking and being part of your local community
- How to price your services
- The ridiculously obvious thing David does to get more work (that most freelancers don’t)
- How David’s process works (whether you have a sample garment or a napkin sketch)
- How many opportunities there are to work in fashion outside of being a “designer”
- What happens when you skimp or cut corners on pattern making
- Why the fashion industry isn’t full of all divas (and how we can create a different culture)
Guest Info & Resources
- David’s site (get in touch with him if you need a freelance pattern or sample maker!)
- Denver Design Incubator
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