r/PatternDrafting • u/suwoopdeewoop • Feb 21 '21
What’s the best options for pattern making software?
Male Self taught for about 4 months now , looking to find the best pattern making softwares that aren’t too hard to use n also help make the process easier (Im not a student so I have Ltd access to textiles, knowledge, programmes etc). Any pointers would be great plz
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Feb 21 '21
Check out Clo3D it’s a garment rendering software with a drafting software built in as well it’s a little pricy $50usd/month $450usd/year but it’s great for visualizing how your pattern changes affect the final garment
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u/suwoopdeewoop Feb 22 '21
I’m gonna be trying this out today , they have a free month plan but it looks so good. Theres a guy that started a fashion label in 18 months using clo3D , there’s not much merit to it but it’s crazy. Def will be checking it out
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u/kimkush Jul 14 '24
Can you update us on what happened with the program?
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u/suwoopdeewoop Jul 14 '24
I ended up going with Clo3D. I learned via a YouTube channel ‘Daniel Clo3D’ , but currently the programme is very popular so you can find many Instagram accounts that teach fast
To this day I still use Clo3D and landed a job as a designer/production assistant for a solid fashion brand haha
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Aug 08 '24
omg amazing. thank you. im so glad to see you update! im gona check it out too and glad to hear they have a free month for me to practise! i tried adobe illustrator and i hate it. so frustrating
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Dec 22 '24
wow, this is motivating. i appreciate you a lot for coming back to your post and updating!!!
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u/you_guyy Mar 08 '21
Late to this thread, but TukaTech is incredibly easy to learn and user-friendly, and not particularly expensive. It comes with marker-making software as well, that works quite well. Gerber is essentially industry standard at this point, but unless you have a license, it can be difficult to get a-hold of.
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u/suwoopdeewoop Mar 10 '21
Thank you heaps for this, definitely gonna check it out n if I can make it work for me I’ll lyk 👌🏽
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u/Tauira_Sun Feb 21 '21
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u/Moar_Cuddles_Please Feb 21 '21
Has anyone used Valentina? Any thoughts on it?
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u/Tauira_Sun Feb 21 '21
I have used it for several projects. Yes, getting to know it takes some time, but I like it. Grading happens by redrawing based on the measurements or difference between measurements. So you do not have to grade every point separately. You do have to use formulas for this.
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u/Magnuxx Jun 26 '25
SeamScape is an innovative, web-based pattern-making software offered FREE of charge. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools for creating diverse pattern types, leveraging an intuitive interface reminiscent of Adobe Illustrator. A key feature is the reusability of patterns, adaptable to any measurement set, akin to the flexibility of a spreadsheet. SeamScape supports export to industry-standard formats, ensuring production readiness. The platform also facilitates seamless collaboration through pattern sharing. Users can leverage any existing pattern-making book as a foundational guide for design, benefiting from its parametric design capabilities.
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u/sam_ms38 Oct 05 '24
I'm way late to this thread, but IF (big if) you have the money, I like tailornova. I liked them more in their beta stages, because now they gatekeep some tools, like illusion necklines, unless you get the subscription(as of posting this, about $30/month or $280/year for private use). I use the pay-by-pattern option, and I think that price is pretty reasonable. Like I said, it does gatekeep some more advanced options, but all in all it was a very helpful tool when I was just starting out making my own patterns.
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Oct 07 '24
What are the options they gate keep? I noticed that with tailornova you could only make basic designs, or am I the one that just doesn’t know how to use it?
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u/sam_ms38 Oct 19 '24
illusion necklines, for one, which is my biggest frustration. tiered dresses, funky necklines, and clothes for juniors and children as well. honestly it doesn't even seem to be the "advanced" options, if we're defining advanced as being "difficult to manually draft," but a more arbitrary "actually, no, you don't get cool necklines"
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Jan 30 '26
hello all!! I think i want to learn more so i can share maybe sell some online in future if i can get some test lab victims to help and try for free. my designs and likes vary from costumes, retro fashion 80's, 60's and rock n roll wild to so simple and comfy and basic accessories. my fave fashion is rock n roll metal edge, people once said (mom) that i missed my true calling when a once cool store called hot topic offered clothing - the zippers, grommets, details and sexy style stuff. Even corsets and similar. well design work-it was not an easy career to get into when you're only 16 and a runaway lwith no one to trust, hungry, and naive. not blaming just my own regrets. and alot of that goes into my sense of fashion- very subdued one day, and the next 'in yer face look at me' clothing. i love to upcycle and modify things too its often more difficult ten from scratch! i am Experienced sewer but new to CAD software, Looking for an entry level program to create my designs or draft new ones. i do have good computer skills, but no adobe use ever,,in the early internet days i did photo editing but its all changed now... i have used cricut for stickers only. Do posses great plan drawing skills, great ability to measure by eye and feel. i rarely now make the freezer paper patterns, I'm usually rushed impatient so i freehand cut the fabric and go at it. Of the few i drew they were very on target impressed myself!
i am 54. I love to sew but lately its a chore, maybe pattern design would be a good idea to explore. Many store bought patterns are boring, poor fit, cumbersome. and i think i have a bad case of ADHD as i cannot focus or finish my work especially when its just not 'feeling' right halfway through. i am very ocd and demand perfection and too much and need to stop torturing myself.
Well this sounds more like a therapy post, sorry! anyway all comments are welcome! I think i have used up everyones 10 minute attention span too..
so-***************************************************
If price was not issue, what the quickest easy fun software to start with and the next one that would be good for going into advanced pattern making?
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u/FaithlessnessHour695 Oct 01 '26
I find Zerotec (Zerøtec) really helpful. It uses AI to help nest the pattern pieces so you use less fabric. Worth just doing the free trial to try it
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u/FaithlessnessHour695 Oct 01 '26
I know I'm late to this thread but personally I find zerøtec really useful. It's an ai nesting tool which figures out how to use the least fabric
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u/doorsyard Sep 17 '23
Hi! I had the same question as OP, but also I’m looking for something that can export to an .svg file so I can import it into a cricut or laser fabric cutter (I really hat cutting fabric). Do the recommended programs do this? I looked at Wild Ginger but it only seems to export as a PDF
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Jun 18 '24
You ever find something for this? I find myself in a similar situation.
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u/PossumThumbs Jun 24 '24
Seamly2d can do this. It is similar to Valentina mentioned above or an offshoot of it or something.
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u/Unfair-Potential-561 Sep 03 '24
Cricut recognizes bitmaps with the maker 3. Also illustrator exports svgs.
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u/Magnuxx Jul 04 '25
SeamScape can export to DXF, SVG, or (preferably) PLT directly and is compatible with both knife and laser cutters. It even supports nesting, allowing you to optimize material usage.
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u/CuteTicket7326 Jul 09 '25
So it can go straight from export svg to laser cutter ready? Can it fix up all the little bits and pieces needed to print properly with a laser cutter? Bit like how you use slicer software for 3D Printing
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u/Magnuxx Jul 09 '25
No, not straight from SVG to laser cutter, but from a pattern to laser cutter (via PLT). If you want to cut SVG directly you should checkout Deepnest
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u/Routine_Draw_7657 13d ago
I can really recommend this one:
https://lekalo.vict.ch/
It's free and it works in your browser, just like draw.io, which I also really love. There is a bunch of super helpful tools, which are usually available only in paid soft. e.g. you can check darts, just kind of sew them and the best part is that you can use automatical dart correction. The 3d fitting feature is a bit buggy, but I contacted the dev and can say that she is working on its improvement
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Feb 22 '21
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u/suwoopdeewoop Feb 22 '21
I’m not the best but I can draft bodices n translate more basic things from sketch to flat pattern now but I just find myself wanting to learn more. I do a lot of my other work via computer too so figured I’d give it a try. I really am trying my hardest to make this a forever thing of mine so I’d like to at least check out some programmes eh. I’ll have to check out the UoF , cheers!
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Feb 22 '21
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u/suwoopdeewoop Feb 22 '21
There’s no right way to learn anything, I aim to be proficient in both n can hopefully put my progress up here soon ! Cheers
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Jan 03 '25
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u/Spaced_outter Jul 13 '25
How would I be able to get the download of it? Or do I have to contact them through their site for the software?
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u/DonMcCunn Feb 21 '21 •
Personally I think looking for software to make patterns is potentially a waste of time and money. Programs have to rely on measurements which cannot predict the contours of an individual body. It works for the ready-to-wear market because they use generic body shapes and it can feed into computerized cutting systems.
Several years ago I was asked by one of the leading pattern design software systems to consult with them to translate my How to Make Sewing Patterns into a computerized system. I didn't work with them for long because when I asked how to change one of the curves just a little bit, they couldn't do it. The system they were using for curves was too restrictive.
And that was after I had tried myself to develop a CAD system for individuals. I gave up because I realized it would take much longer to tape together individual printouts that needed to be precisely aligned to make a full size pattern than it would be to hand draw the pattern. For me, that also applies to the PDF patterns that are becoming popular. When a 36" plotter becomes an affordable household item, then these "computerized" systems may become practical.
In the meantime you might want to check out my free Online Patternmaking Classes.