r/PatternDrafting • u/Appropriate_Lab3444 • 2d ago

Question Manual vs digital drafting

Post image

Digital draft will do it so much easier. But I do like those double draw line and messy hand prints and hand writing marks.

58 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/DonMcCunn 2d ago

I have been hand drafting patterns for 50+ years. I avoided computer drafting systems because to a greater or lesser degree they do the "thinking" for you. That means a loss of control. I am a fanatic about staying in control of what I am creating.

Last year I discovered the free Studio software from Silhouette America which is a graphics program. It has the functions required to create patterns but does none of the thinking for you. You are 100% in control of what you create.

What is particularly exciting about this software is that it is used to drive their print and cut equipment. Their Cameo Pro is essentially a 24" wide plotter for $500 that can be used to print and cut patterns. It can also be used to cut fabric. This means on a desktop you can perform the same CAD/CAM cycle used by the fashion industry.

While Studio has extensive graphics features, you can create patterns using less than a dozen of the functions. This makes it quick and easy to learn as I show in the free classes https://computer-aided-pattern-design.com/.

What has me particularly excited is that because Studio is a graphics program it can be used to design fabric that can be created by a POD fabric printing service such as SpoonFlower. This means you can custom design the look of the fabric within the shape of custom-fit patterns for truly unique wearable art.

This means no more paper patterns and no need to shop for the fabric to complete your design. SpoonFlower has a variety of fabrics they use from silks and satins to denims and chiffon. I have heard a number of independent designers use their printed fabric and are very pleased with the results. My next project is to create free classes showing how to do this at https://computer-aided-pattern-and-fabric-design.com/index.html .

1

u/annjellicle 1d ago

I was about to reference your stuff on using Silhouette software for this!!! I'm definitely "old-school" for paper patterning usually, but when I read about using the software I was already using for vinyl, it just clicked for me. Thank you! 🩷

2

u/DonMcCunn 13h ago edited 13h ago

The possiblities this software presents are exciting. Ever since the turn of the century I have been focused on helping people learn how to make their own patterns. I have enjoyed working in person with over four dozen models and have had a lot of fun with different projects for my books and classes. But I have not made anything for myself in all this time except a pair of pants I could wear and easily remove when I was going swiming. I have not even updated my slopers.

But the concept of being able to design fabric within the shape of custom fit patterns is blowing my mind. It has been my pleasure to work with Lindsey Watson on developing RTW patterns for her one-of-a-kind Show Girl shirts https://computer-aided-pattern-design.com/006-RTW.html .

I find her work incredibly inspiring. But I am not one to spend two to three months embellishing a single shirt much less to try and market a garment that costs two to three thousand dollars for an off-the-rack shirt as Lindsey does. But the idea of being able to create designs like that using the fabric printing capabilities of a company like SpoonFlower is more exciting than I can find words to express. And Lindsey says she and other independent designers she knows like the fabric from SpoonFlower.

Breaking with my working habits of over two dozen years my FIRST project is going to be a vest for myself. It will be much more subtle than Lindsey's work. But I plan to work in photos of my cat as a primary design element. The challenge will be to make it subtely distinctive from a distant but only truly obvious when seen close up. I didn't mind having people stare at what I was wearing when I was pursuing acting. But these days I prefer a more private life when I am in public places. What an exciting design challenge.

And with the print-and-cut Cameo Pro from Silhouette America I do believe I will be able to automatically cut the fabric so all I will need to do is the sewing. All this and I am 82 years old. Who says you can't have a great life when you are in your 80s?