What programs do Independent pattern makers use?

[#1]

Hi everyone!

First of all, happy, happy Wednesday!

Secondly, I am a technical designer for a very large fashion company. At work, we use Lectra for all our pattern work. I eventually want to take what I have learned from my experience working at this company and branch out on my own as an independent pattern maker but am stumped as to how I can create the patterns. Lectra/Gerber are too expensive to buy privately. So I ask you all, how do you go about making your patterns? What programs do you use? And how do you produce/manufacture your product? I appreciate any help and advice you cana give me :)

Sincerely ALWAYS,
Maddie
www.madalynne.com

[Former_Member]

Hello, Maddie.

I use TurboCAD. It's ridiculously easy. I have instructions for it.

Kathy

[DressyTalkPatterns]

I make all the patterns manually on the paper, then I give them to the company where the paper patterns are being digitised, graded and saved in a format that is readable in illustrator. So I found this way as the easiest and most reliable. Anyway, I do sometimes draft the patterns in Illustrator, which is absolutely possible but a bit complicated as this software was not developed for the garment pattern making.

[PUPERITA]

I work with Illustrator, I would prefer a CAD program, but I never found a suitable one.
I work on every small detail of my patterns, from the first sketch to the last stitch (and the last pic).
I don’t work with inches and centimeters, but with lines and mm to ensure a PERFECT fit.

[Former_Member]

Hi,

I use serif drawplus! Just as good as corel etc. Cheap and easy to use! :)

[RoadHomeQuilting]

Great question! Here is my blog post on the 2 drawing apps I use: http://roadhomequilting.blogspot.com/2015/04/2-quilt-drafting-apps.html
After creating JPG graphics in apps, I write pattern in GoogleDocs because it best re-formats for PDF.

[FrocksandFrolicsLLC]

Well this is a long thread. I create sewing patterns for kids and teens as pdf documents after working in the industry for a very long time. I draft my patterns on paper with pencil and a ruler. When the draft is fitting I scan it in and then use blue beam to digitize the pattern. Blue beam is actually really easy to use to go over the lines. It's an engineering software my husband uses for architectural drawing revisions so I tried it there first. Unlike illustrator there is no monthly charge, just buy the program about $220 and go. I understand though illustrator has more options. For me blue beam is more then enough. I can even draw sketches of the garments with it. Mind you that took a while to learn.

[Former_Member]

I designed two sewing patterns my free trial to adobe illustrator has expired!

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/454759342/big-eared-baby-doll-pattern?ref=pr_shop

You are welcome to check out this baby doll pattern

[Former_Member]

Maddie,
You'd be surprised at what you can do with Powerpoint and/or Word. I draw my patterns by hand and then photocopy them and save them to pdf. Then I open the pdf and "draw" over it with drawing tools such as those in PowerPoint or Word. There are various other drawing programs and apps that work well, too. But I start with the easiest to use until I can't do what I want to do and then I try another program. Since you can draw a shape in PowerPoint and edit the shape in various ways as well as making the lines straighten or curve, thicken or thin the lines, and copy, I can accomplish most of what I need. And, I should add that I make doll patterns, so the work is small. I enlarge the view and make minute lines. I also take the drawn pattern and digitize it for machine embroidery. PowerPoint still works pretty well for me. All of my machine embroidered doll faces start there.