Digital Pattern Cutting, with Ben Cooper
With over 27 years of industry experience, it’s safe to say that Ben Cooper really knows his stuff! In this episode we discuss digital pattern cutting as a whole, his journey and how his love for technology has fuelled his professional work. He now passes on that knowledge to his students through teaching at Gerber, Fashion Enter and Fashion Tutor so we felt he was the perfect person to discuss this great topic with us!
Ben Cooper is a creative pattern cutter and Gerber teacher.
He has had an impressive 27 years in the industry but it started with his mother, who provided a made-to-measure dressmaking service, Ben started making hats and shirts at the age of 15 and he subsequently went on to study fashion at college.
After finishing his studies, eager to gain some experience, he took his portfolio and walked the streets of the West End until he was offered his first design job. After gaining some more experience over the next few years he then realised that if he was to produce a quality garment that fitted well, he would need to refine his pattern cutting skills. He subsequently secured a role as Junior Pattern Cutter at French Connection and it was there that he was first introduced to computer aided design (CAD).
During the following years Ben worked as a toilist and pattern cutter for a number of well known high street brands including Aquascutum, Temperley, River Island and Marks & Spencer. He worked predominantly on ladies tailoring and outerwear but also dabbled in other departments too.
He was not only mastering pattern cutting but also the use of the CAD systems.
It wasn’t long until he decided to teach himself AccuMark Gerber.
During the following years he has been confidently gathering a broad and in-depth knowledge of the software through day-to-day use.
All of this experience and a love of technology has brought him to where he is now as one of Gerber’s, FashionTutor and Fashion Enter’s specialist Gerber teachers.
Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you! Contact Kathryn and Caroline directly with any comments / feedback on fashionhalfcut@gmail.com. Alternatively you can reach out on instagram @fashionhalfcut.
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