Tapestry Assistant Craftsman (Apprentice) — Patternmaking & Sampling
- Employment
- Full-Time
- Seniority
- Entry-Level
- Compensation
- $66,300–67,000/year
- Department
- Creative, Design & Styling
- Industry
- Fashion, Apparel & Leather Goods
- Posted
- May 21, 2026
About Tapestry
Tapestry is a global house of fashion brands that includes Coach and Kate Spade New York. The group positions itself at the intersection of craftsmanship and contemporary design, favouring entrepreneurial thinking, inclusive workplaces, and collaborative product development across design, sourcing and production functions.
Tapestry (Coach & Kate Spade) — Assistant Craftsman (Apprentice) in New York: entry-level patternmaking and sampling role at corporate headquarters.
Role & Responsibilities
- Learn and create new patterns and edit existing patterns to support Design and Product Development according to design cards and concept drawings.
- Translate designer sketches into technically correct patterns under the mentorship of a Master craftsman.
- Support sampling by producing prototype samples and mock-ups to illustrate construction and problem solving.
- Digitize hard paper patterns and prepare patterns in CAD or digital patternmaking systems for sampling and production.
- Prepare costing patterns and provide required information for initial costing processes.
- Operate hands-on with traditional bench tools and assist in learning leatherworking machinery and sewing machines for sample production.
- Provide technical support for sample production at the New York workshop and liaise with vendors to facilitate sampling and factory production.
Qualifications
- 0–1 years' experience in patternmaking, sampling, or product development (entry-level/apprenticeship).
- Demonstrated willingness and ability to learn on the job and take direction from a mentor.
- Familiarity with basic table tools (hammers, pliers, scissors) and eagerness to learn leatherworking machinery and industrial sewing equipment.
- Proficiency in English (reading and writing); Spanish and/or Italian considered a plus.
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to partner with internal teams and external suppliers.
- Goal-oriented, able to meet tight deadlines, and comfortable working with ambiguity and shifting priorities.
Skills
Experience
0–1 years of practical experience in patternmaking or product development, ideally including hands-on sampling or workshop exposure.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training or certificate in fashion design, patternmaking, product development, or leathercraft preferred but not required for apprenticeship candidates.
Workplace
This position is based in New York, New York, USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 66,300 to USD 67,000 per annum.
Benefits
Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, 401(k), Paid paternity and maternity leave, Commuter benefits, Disability insurance, Tuition assistance
Culture
Tapestry cultivates an entrepreneurial, design-led culture that values individuality and inclusivity across its brands. Employees are encouraged to bring creative ideas, learn iteratively, and collaborate across design, sourcing and production teams in a fast-moving, supportive environment.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Tapestry, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Apprentice Patternmaker», «Junior Patternmaker», «Assistant Leather Craftsman», «Patternmaking Apprentice», «Junior Product Development Assistant», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.