3D APPAREL DESIGN
AND INTEGRATION

Program Duration: 14 weeks x 20 Hours a week
Your Instructors: Traci Anderson

Prices: Domestic $6,995.00

Prices: International $8,450.00

Start Dates: January, May, September

GERBER PATTERN MAKING AND GRADING

Where innovation, technology, and advanced product engineering meet.

The 3D Apparel Design & Integration Certificate is a 280 hour advanced industry-led program designed for students and professionals ready to integrate technical design, material science, 3D fit technology, and global production systems.

This program accelerates your expertise in technical apparel design, development, and manufacturing. Students gain strategic exposure to advanced material sciences, dynamic pattern engineering, 3D garment creation, and global business systems used in modern apparel production environments.

You will develop proficiency in Gerber, CLO 3D, and Browzwear while understanding how digital tools integrate with real-world manufacturing pipelines.

Graduates leave prepared for leadership roles in technical design, product engineering, and advanced development teams.

PROGRAM DETAILS

The Gerber Pattern Making and Grading Certificate provides in depth training in digital pattern drafting, grading rule development, model building, and technical production preparation using Gerber AccuMark.

Throughout the program, students develop confidence in navigating the AccuMark interface, understanding menu systems, managing data files, and applying grading logic. You will learn how to digitize pattern shapes, assign grade rule tables, manipulate pattern blocks, create markers, calculate efficiency, and prepare patterns for industrial production.

This program emphasizes practical digital execution. Students complete structured assignments that progressively build toward advanced grading and digital garment engineering skills.

Areas of focus include:

  • Gerber AccuMark sequence of operations

  • Digitizing pattern shapes and data input

  • Model creation to industry standards

  • Grade rule table composition

  • Piece identification and pattern verification

  • Seam allowance and notch placement

  • Digital dart manipulation and block adjustments

  • Marker making and yield calculation

  • Costing chart and measurement chart development

  • Creation of a final digitized tailored jacket

By the end of the program, students are able to operate Gerber software confidently within a professional production environment.

Program Structure & Hours

Duration: 14 Weeks
Total Program Hours: 280 Hours
Weekly Schedule: 20 Hours Per Week
Delivery Method: In class and Live Online Hybrid

Students participate in lectures, couture drafting labs, garment construction workshops, live fittings, critiques, and technical portfolio reviews.

PROGRAM JOURNEY

  • Students begin by understanding the Gerber AccuMark sequence of operations and the structure of the digital pattern environment. You will learn how pattern shapes are digitized and entered into the system.

    This module builds familiarity with menus, sub menus, and core system functions required to develop, modify, and finalize pattern pieces.

  • Students create new pieces using the Create Piece Menu and organize models within the Pattern Design environment. You will practice digitizing closed and mirrored pieces while verifying data accuracy.

    Seam allowance placement, notch development, piece labeling, grade point editing, and internal line adjustments are applied to ensure production accuracy.

  • Students manipulate digital blocks through drafting, tracing, dart manipulation, and geometric editing tools. You will rotate and flip pieces, assign rule tables, trace asymmetrical pieces, and create grading maps.

    Marker making, efficiency calculation, scaling, shrinkage, resizing, and data conversion are integrated to simulate professional production workflows.

  • In the final stage of the program, students create a fully digitized tailored jacket that demonstrates model building, grading logic, marker creation, and production preparation.

    Students present their final project to peers and instructors, reinforcing professional communication and technical explanation skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

✔ Develop models to industry standards using Gerber AccuMark

✔ Create and manipulate digital pattern pieces

✔ Compose and apply grade rule tables

✔ Convert and manage digital production data

✔ Generate costing charts and measurement charts

✔ Formulate technical specification sheets

✔ Operate and utilize plotter systems

✔ Produce a fully digitized and graded garment

Graduates leave the program with strong digital competency and a professional portfolio demonstrating their ability to execute industry level Gerber pattern development and grading.

CAREER PATHS

Graduates of the Gerber Pattern Making and Grading Certificate are prepared for specialized digital production roles within the apparel industry.

Career opportunities may include:

  • Apparel Pattern Maker

  • Apparel Grader

  • Marker Maker

  • Technical Designer

  • Junior Pattern Maker

  • Gerber Technician

This certificate prepares students to work within digital production departments, apparel manufacturing facilities, and technical design teams.

TUITION & GRANTS

Domestic Tuition: $6,995.00

International Tuition: $8,450.00

Application Fee (Domestic): $250

Application Fee (International): $500

Books & Materials Excluded

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

  • High school graduation or mature student status 19+

  • Admissions interview in person or via Zoom or Skype

  • Application Essay minimum 250 words outlining your passion and career goals

  • English proficiency, if applicable

  • CLBPT minimum 6

  • Duolingo 85 to 90 accepted in certain circumstances

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Jessica Hsu

Jessica has worked in the fashion industry for almost three decades for brands such as Karma Athletics, Lotuswear Designs Ltd., and Design Group—just to name a few. In addition to these valuable experiences, she designs, creates and produces pet wear, uniforms, wedding gowns and other custom formal wear with impressive results.


Chay Clayton

VCAD Alumni, who has been working at The Cutting Room for two years, pattern making and sample sewing. Chay has been a favorite instructor to many of The Cut's students for the last two years and now enjoys teaching Gerber Digital Pattern Making at The Cut.


Julie Crawley

Julie Crawley is a seasoned fashion industry leader and educator with over three decades of experience in product development, design innovation, and supply chain strategy. She has held pivotal roles at major apparel brands, driving growth through creative problem-solving, cross-functional collaboration, and customer-focused solutions. As an adjunct professor, Julie has taught a wide range of fashion courses across the Boston area, blending real-world insight with a passion for mentorship, inspiring the next generation of designers to think boldly and work smart.


LOOK FOR A WAY TO APPLY?

Applying is straightforward and designed to be personal.


The application is our first opportunity to get to know you. Once you submit the form, an Admissions will reach out to you.

This conversation allows us to share meaningful insights about the program, the industry, career pathways, job opportunities, and available tuition grants or financial aid options. Just as importantly, it gives us the chance to learn about you: your goals, what you hope to achieve through your training, and any questions or concerns we can support you with.

Please note that no enrolment deposit is required until you have been formally accepted into the program. We invite you to submit your application here below

Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions, we have answers.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our FAQ section below, use our online submission form.

 This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
The Cut Design Academy is designated with PTIB