Catherine McGregor

Jacata Bureau provides a digitising, grading and marker service to the NZ Clothing industry.

Once designers have had their sample clothing pattern approved they come to us to create all the sizes that they require.

An example being, their sample pattern is a size 10 and we created sizes 6 through to 20 (or whatever size range they are needing)

Once the patterns are graded we then create markers so the style can be cut for production.

A marker is when all the pattern pieces that create a garment are placed into the fabric width; like a jigsaw puzzle to use the best fabric utilisation.

And then the marker is printed out full size to be sent to an apparel cutter in Auckland.

At Lewis Design I was responsible for all the digitising, grading and markers for 3 Clothing ranges; Saga, Soulo and Angela Lewis.

I was a member in a team of 3 where we worked together to complete digitising, grading and markers for the High Street label River Island.

This was my first full time job after I graduated.

It was my introduction to a NZ Clothing production company.

I was very lucky to be in such a supportive and nurturing environment for my first job.

Here I gained great confidence and knowledge in the digitising and grading of patterns. As well as simple patterns alterations. And was taught the thought process when constructing fabric markers.

It was a really wonderful first job.