Replies

1. 
   SkiNsew | Apr 25, 2005 03:27pm | #1

   I use Child's Play and Patternmaster Boutique.  Both programs have many many design options that you can choose simply by clicking on them.  In addition they have many little buttons that allow you to make changes in crotch shapes, armhole shapes, sleeve caps and waists.   There is also a section of the program called Pattern Editor that allows you to bring the pattern you developed above into a CAD type program where you can draw in lines, rotate darts,  slash and pivot, etc. to your own specifications.

   Wild Ginger also has a separate program for doing start from scratch design work.  All of their programs have a demo that can be downloaded from their site.

   Mary

1. 
   HEWEN | Apr 26, 2005 05:35am | #2

   I'm also thinking about buying pattern drafting software.    Do you find it easy to use?  What made you choose them vs. other companies?  Anyone else out there have any input? 

   Thanks, Codey

    

    

    

1. 
   HeartFire | Apr 26, 2005 07:08am | #3

   I have the wild ginger software, I haven't really used it much, but now that I'm trying to start up a custom clothing business, I will use it more or less for drafting custom slopers and then do the fitting from there, we'll see if I like this better than just drafting out slopers by hand.
   Judy

2. 
   SkiNsew | Apr 26, 2005 03:09pm | #4

   I only looked at LivingSoft and Wild Ginger before I purchased my software.  I liked the way that Wild Ginger had their product line divided.  I wanted something that had a lot of options for women's garments and I thought that I would have to pay a lot more to get the options that I wanted from LivingSoft because I would have to buy the top end of  the LivingSoft product.

   I have been using the software for several years and am very happy with it.  I will tell you that it is not the "magic bullet" for making garments.  Most of the women I know who use it still make many test muslins (especially when doing something new or using expensive materials) and most of us still do some pin fitting.

   Mary

1. 
   HEWEN | Apr 27, 2005 06:39am | #5

   Thanks Mare & Judy for the feedback!  Living soft sounds like a car manufacturer that only puts  the options you want on the most expensive model. 

   Mare,  do you think that the software beats making a basic sloper and then using it to fit commercial patterns?

   Thanks again,

   Codey

    

    

1. 
   SkiNsew | Apr 27, 2005 03:18pm | #6

   Regarding making your own sloper versus using the software,  I think that it depends on your sloper drafting skill.  If you are able to draft slopers that usually just require tweaking then I think you can do just as well doing your own.  I find that it usually takes 2-3 tries to get a sloper "right" using the software. 

   As far as the time element goes, I think it depends on many things.  By default the software prints on 8 1/2 x 11 paper that then have to be taped together (time consuming and a PIA).  You can make them print on banner paper if you have a continuous feed printer.  I think most of the people who use the software in a sewing business invest in the continuous feed printer.

   Mary

3. 
   sinnamon | Apr 28, 2005 06:24am | #7

   I have been using Wild Ginger software for the past year.  I am totally self taught and between reading books and participating in the very supportive group discussions with other PMB users, my entire wardrobe is now hand made.  The program allows you to make a sloper first and from there you make your design choices.  They have just released their latest program "Celebrations" which is for evening and bridal wear. 

   With the program you get the CAD pattern editor program and there are a lot of sites on the net to assist you in learning the finer points.

   What I have gained from PMB is that I have been able to concentrate on refining my sewing because the source pattern fits straight away.

   I love it and have gone on and bought Curves (swimwear) and Celebrations.

   NAYY

    

    

1. 
   HEWEN | Apr 29, 2005 05:05am | #8

   Thanks for the helpful input.  Being able to spend time sewing & being creative  instead of fitting  sounds great.   I made myself a basic sloper last summer using a book I found and  McCalls basic pattern.  It took forever and then even though I bought the pattern based on my measurements the muslin turned out too big so I had to start over with a smaller pattern. (ugh!)  Now I'm losing weight so guess what?  I do have another question though. I have a narrow back even though I'm busty in the front.  Does PMB allow for different measurements in the back and front or would it be just the total circumference?

   Thanks

   Codey

1. 
   sinnamon | Apr 29, 2005 04:19pm | #9

   Hi Codey.  Pattern Master requires about 35 different body measurements, which is not as difficult as it sounds.  Your back shoulder measurement and front shoulder measurement are entered separately and the pattern makes the adjustment automatically.

   Once you are in the design section there are easy steps to make the armhole bigger, neck wider, waist line lower add or reduce ease, to name just a few.  One of the best features for me has been being able to move the side seam so that when I make pants the back has more fabric than the front.  Being generously endowed in the rear department I now have pants that make me seem smaller because the fabric isn't being stretched across the expanse.  LOL

   Hope this helps.

    

    

2. 
   DennisM | May 03, 2005 08:28pm | #10

   I use Tailor Made in making my clothes. The shirts come out fine. In the middle of making slacks from muslin to see how they fit. If they fit, then make them out of courderoy. Have fun.