TSHILILO Mugabi is a pattern maker who runs her own clothing company

"My interest in pattern making started when I was young. My mom was a seamstress and I got interested in what she was doing," she says.

"From Grade 5 onwards, I was making my own clothes."

Pattern makers can earn R5,000 to R10,000 a month and often find jobs working in clothing factories or boutiques.

Mugabi says they make patterns from designs presented to them by clients.

"We make the pattern out of brown cover paper or pattern board, which is a hard board. This pattern board is a permanent pattern that is usually used to make a design that is used more frequently. I first draw the pattern and then I cut according to the shape of the pattern."

Mugabi says the pros of her career "are that I get to be creative every day by making designs. It's challenging and I learn something new every day".

"The cons, on the other hand, are when a client gives you a design, you do it according to the picture they have given you and, afterwards, they say it's not what they have asked for."

To become a pattern maker, Mugabi recommends the course in Fashion Design and Technology, which includes pattern design. You don't necessarily need any experience when you set out.

As can be seen from Mugabi's smiling face, you also need to have a passion for this career.

If you want to follow a career in pattern making, you will need to be able to pay attention to detail and be focused, meticulous, creative and, finally and most importantly, friendly.

You will need skills in communication, teamwork and drawing, as well as mathematics, to perform the necessary calculations when making a pattern.

Mugabi works an average of eight hours a day, from 8am to 4.30pm.

"We have lots of deadlines, so what I do on an average day is to make patterns for samples for clients and, once that is approved by the client, then I need to make the patterns for the client's orders.

"I will also renew old patterns, the ones we use regularly, design new patterns and obviously cut them out.

"The best thing about the job is the ability to be creative, and create something that helps make something else that will be beautiful. I also love it when I make a pattern off a very difficult design and it comes out well," laughs Mugabi.

"The worst thing about the job is grading different sizes. Grading is what we use to size the garments, for example XL to XXXXXXL. I don't like grading nine or more different sizes."

Mugabi has some advise for the youth out there: "Choose something you really enjoy doing when deciding on your own careers."