How to make a pattern into a compound path in AI

[nathand7675830]

I am brand new to AI so please bear with me if this is a very simple question, but I just cannot figure it out. I have about 200 .eps black and white seamless patterns. I have added a few of them to the swatches area so I can fill shapes with my patterns. I can do that no problem. But what I want to do is make the finished patterned-filled shape into a compound path so I can save as an svg and import into my vinyl cutting software. Can anyone explain how I would do this?

[Moved from the generic Cloud forum to the Illustrator forum... Mod]