Careers in the Textile and Fashion Industry

Fashion Designer Talk with managers about ideas for clothes and who would buy them. Sketch designs and write down color schemes and types of fabric. Draw patterns, cut fabric, and sew sample clothes. Look at samples on models and make changes if needed. Direct workers who draw and cut patterns and sew clothes.

Costume and Wardrobe Specialists Study scripts, books, and pictures to see what costumes should look like. See what costumes are on hand, and buy or rent others. Discuss new designs with staff and create costumes. Check to see how costumes fit actors and how they look on stage. Give out costumes and keep records of who has them. Hang costumes in order of use and help actors make quick changes

Chemical Engineer Find and fix problems that occur when chemicals are being used. Create ways to keep people safe when they work with chemicals. Decide the best order of steps needed to make a product. Check to make sure all steps of production are under control. Think of new ways to use chemicals to make products. Figure out the steps needed to make a new product.

Manufacturing Engineers Study products and how they are made to see if there are problems. Study data to figure out what is wrong and what changes are needed. Find and fix problems with products or methods. Put new methods in place to make products better and reduce costs. Design equipment and layouts, plan costs and staff, and buy parts. Check new product designs and create ways to test finished product

Nanotechnologist Try to find new properties of materials at the nanoscale (one billionth of a meter). Make new materials and products, such as sunscreen. Do research in a lab using special equipment. Work with other scientists and engineers. Write reports about your research. Present your research findings to others.

Furniture Finisher Look at furniture to find the damage and decide on the best way to fix it. Help clients choose wood colors and styles or follow blueprints. Take items apart and mask areas that will not be changed. Use sanders, grinders, and solvents to clean and smooth wood. Fix broken parts, fill cracks, and treat warped or stained surfaces. Use hand tools to rough up new wood to make it look antique. Wash surfaces to remove solvents and get wood ready for the new finish. Choose paint, stain, varnish, or other finish and mix colors needed.

Sewing Machine Operator Choose supplies for jobs and use patterns to mark and cut cloth. Place thread, needles, and sewing guides on machines and set controls. Sew long loose stitches to hold parts in place for final sewing. Put parts in the right order and fasten in clamps or frames if needed. Run machines and guide or stretch cloth as it goes under needles. Watch to make sure machines work right and keep them in good repair. Cut off extra cloth, inspect finished items, and keep logs of work done. Attach tape, trim, buttons, hooks, or other items to clothes.

Shoe and Leather Workers Use tools to work with leather on products like shoes, bags, and saddles. Talk with customers about work orders and prices. Read work orders and prescriptions for custom shoes and other goods. Pick the right kind of leather for a project. Check for defects and use hand tools to remove worn or damaged parts. Use tools to measure items or make patterns. Use knives or scissors to cut along pattern lines. Use sewing machines, needle and thread, leather laces, glue, or rivets to join parts

Textile Machine Operator Read work orders and talk to managers to learn how to set up machines. Mix dyes, water, or chemicals and test to make sure they are right. Load yarn or cloth on machines and program or adjust controls. Do test runs to check that machines are set up correctly. Start machines, watch as they run, and adjust as needed. Stop machines when the right amounts are made and inspect items. Tell managers when there are problems with machines. Meet with other workers to share ideas and talk about issues

Upholsters Use tools to repair, rebuild, or make new furniture out of frames and fabric. Read work orders or talk with clients to find out what to do or to help choose fabric. Use or make patterns to mark and cut out shapes from fabric. Add padding to furniture such as chairs and seats. Adjust or replace webbing, padding, and springs. Use sewing machines to join pieces of fabric. Use tools to put fabric on frames.

Textile and Fiber Analyst A trace evidence analyst, also referred to as a trace evidence examiner, is a forensic scientist who performs analyses on trace evidence that may occur as a result of physical contact between a suspect and victim during a violent crime. Trace evidence analysis includes the identification and comparison of these transferred materials using specific scientific instrumentation and methodologies.

Merchandise Buyer Merchandise buyers, also known as purchasing agents, must assess what products their company should sell, how much of that product they should buy and which supplier will best fit their needs.

Textile Sourcing Evaluator These people take the company products and go to different countries or manufactures to find the right manufactures for the job. This will depend on what the company is looking for- cheap, eco friendly, job friendly,etc.