Last updated on January 20th, 2024 at 06:41 pm

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Tired of making adjustments to ready-made patterns? Want a perfect fitting pattern without making a muslin?

Then, you need to check out these made-to-measure sewing pattern companies and software!

Each of the companies listed below custom drafts patterns based on measurements. Some also allow you to make custom style options, slopers, dress forms, and more!

Pair these companies with your own sewing projector and find a match made in heaven! Just learning about using a projector for sewing? Check out the Get Started page or consider taking the Complete Projector Confidence Course to get started!

Pattern Companies

Apostrophe Patterns

Have you heard of Apostrophe Patterns? If not, you are in for a real treat!

I made these woven bermuda shorts using the joggers pattern. With a little imagination, you can create many patterns from the options included in each of their pattern generators.

If their versatility wasn’t enough, their prices are VERY reasonable at the cost of around $12 US.

Apostrophe Patterns is one of the best pattern generator companies I have found so far! By entering your personal measurements, the program will draft a pattern for you! Some patterns even include different measurements for left and right if needed! They also include very detailed instructions for each step of the pattern for ALL OPTIONS included with the pattern.

Are you someone who is constantly adjusting standard sized patterns? Then, Apostrophe may be THE answer!

Buy a pattern, and you get lifetime access to the pattern generator for that design. The purchase of the pattern will include ALL of the style options available for that pattern. It also includes ALL sizes! You can enter measurements into their pattern generator as many times as you want. Some patterns now include standard kids sizes too.

Inseam length, ease, and fabric type can also be adjusted to change the look of the final garment.

The best part of these made-to-measure patterns is that you can generate a specifically optimized projector file to use! AND the projector files are wonderful! They have a great layout and nice thick lines for projecting.

As Apostrophe Patterns says:

“These are not typical patterns based on standard sizes. Instead, each pattern is automatically custom-drawn based on your measurement specifications, fabric choices, and sewing preferences. No grading required.

All patterns can be made for babies, children, adults, and even dolls and stuffed animals. These patterns are for all shapes and sizes!”

Apostrophe Patterns Features:

• Made-to-measure
• Some patterns have standard kid sizes included
• Limited choices, but you can make many clothing items by changing the ease, styles, and other settings
• You can use that pattern generator for as many sizes and styles of that pattern as you want!
• Includes projector files

Tailor Nova

Tailor nova’s Designer is an online platform that offers a variety of features for creating custom-fit clothing patterns. Some of the features available on Tailor nova’s Designer include:

Pattern Creation: Users can create patterns for a wide range of garments, including dresses, tops, skirts, pants, and more.

Customization: The Designer offers a range of customization options, including choosing style lines, length, neckline, sleeve type, and more.

Measurement Input: Tailor nova’s Designer allows users to input their measurements, which helps the software generate a custom-fit pattern based on their specific body measurements.

Fabric Selection: The Designer offers the ability to select from a variety of fabrics to see how the finished garment will look, which can help users visualize their design better.

Sewing Instructions: Sewing instructions are available for each generated pattern.

Yardage: Fabric yardage estimate available for each pattern.

Overall, Tailor nova’s Designer provides a wide range of features for creating custom-fit clothing patterns, including customization options, measurement input, virtual fitting, fabric selection, sharing and collaboration, and printing.

Tailor Nova Features:

• Create your own custom design after starting with a base
• Women’s and menswear available
• Enter standard measurements or custom-fit
• Sewing instructions with technical sketch
• Pay per pattern or use a subscription base
• Large format PDF file for projecting
• DXF available for editing programs
• Free pattern trial

Bootstrap Fashion

Bootstrap Fashion is a pattern company that specializes in custom, made-to-measure dress forms, slopers, and designer patterns.

They are a great option for anyone looking a purchase a made-to-measure complete pattern. The idea of using a made-to-measure pattern to make a dress form is very intriguing, although I have not had a chance to try it yet!

Bootstrap has bargain patterns available for $5, or designer patterns available for purchase. The instructions for both the bargain and designer patterns are minimal, so these patterns are best for the intermediate and advanced sewist.

While they do not offer a “projector file”, they do offer DXF, and multiple sizes of PDF files. If you have a program such as Inkscape or Affinity Designer, you could import the DXF or large format PDF files to change line color or thickness and arrange the layout if you desire.

I did try out a 72″ PDF pattern. There was no margin around the pattern, so I ran it through PDF Stitcher to add 20″ margins. I was unable to thicken the pattern lines in PDF Stitcher, which were pretty faint. When I imported the pattern into Affinity Designer, I was unable to access the individual pattern lines. It was more of an “image”. I was able to quickly trace the pattern lines to make them thicker. I will need to try other file formats to see which works best!

Bootstrap Fashion Features:

• Made-to-measure patterns
• $5 patterns or Designer patterns available for purchase
• One-time fee, no subscriptions
• Large format PDF available (may need to use PDF Stitcher, Inkscape, or Affinity Designer)
• DXF available
• Dress Form patterns and slopers

Fayma

Fayma is a company based that was previously associated with Hobby Craft. I haven’t delved too much into the relationship. I hadn’t heard about them until I started really delving into made-to-measure patterns. I was surprised when I found out that they offer projector files! However, I have not had a chance to test the quality of the projector file. But, others that have used them are pleased with their results so far. The patterns also come with thorough instructions. You are able to enter measurements after purchase and before downloading the pattern.

Fayma Features

• Choose a Pattern
• Create a measurement profile using photos and Measurements
• Generate pattern for instant download
• Includes many printable file option and projector file format

Ditto Patterns

The Ditto Patterns were originally created to be used with the Ditto pattern projector. The Ditto brand on the website is the only patterns that are customizable and made-to-measure.

With the Ditto brand patterns, you can make some style choices like you would on Tailor Nova. After purchase, you can enter custom measurements.

There are two file options when you purchase a pattern: “projector file” and printable pattern. Do not use the “projector file” unless you have a Ditto! Their projector file is only compatible with the Ditto!

However, the printable PDF download can be easily used at home! It is a letter-sized file than can be printed at home, or you can run the file through PDF Stitcher to create a projectable file.

Since the pattern was originally created to be used with a projector, the lines are thick and the text is large. Find a full review of the Ditto Patterns for projector sewing HERE.

The patterns do come with instructions that are similar to what you’d find in tissue paper patterns with technical drawings.

Ditto Patterns Features:

• Made-to-measure
• Some are style customizable
• Don’t use the “projector file” unless you have a Ditto
• Use the printable option and run through PDF Stitcher
• Thick lines and large text

Sewist

Sewist.com is similar to Tailor Nova. It is an online pattern design software. You choose you base design and make modifications to create your desired outfit. Then, choose a size or enter measurements. Purchase the pattern and you will be able to download it. Each pattern comes with instructions that can be downloaded from the website in multiple languages.

Sewist Features:

• Design an outfit starting with a base
• Enter measurements or standard size
• Instructions in multiple languages
• Free trial pattern available
• Low cost, pay per pattern

MiSlope

MiSlope is a made-to-measure pattern company that specializes in knit fabric pattern blocks. This website is especially helpful for a designer for dance, gymnastics, swim, costumes, and activewear. If you know a little bit of pattern making and design, you can really take these pattern blocks and make them your own!

MiSlope Features:

• Slopers for knit fabrics
• Best for athletic wear
• Made-to-measure

Fearless Makers

Fearlessmakers.com

If you’ve never heard about Fearless Makers, then you need to give them a look! Fearless makers offer a completely FREE patternmaker! That’s right, free. Each of their basic patterns can be made-to-measure and are completely free. With a little know-how you could use their basic patterns to design almost any outfit. Their files are offered as PDF files including plotter size.

They also run a program called the Fashioner that allows you to create patterns!

Pattern Maker Pro by Fearless Makers Features:

• Free to sell and sew
• Made-to-measure
• A little bit of knowledge on pattern drafting is helpful
• No instructions

Free Sewing

Easy on your wallet, Free Sewing is just that, FREE! They have several patterns available to get you started making made-to-measure patterns. Each of their patterns are completely free.

Software

Garment Designer Software

“Garment Designer Overview for Windows or Macintosh. This pattern making program allows you to create patterns for both sewing and knitting. It includes libraries of ready-to-wear body measurements, or you can input your own measurements to create a more custom fit.  While you work, you can see the shape of your body (the sloper) sitting inside the pattern you are building.”

Cochenille.com is the website of Cochenille Design Studio, a company that offers software and tools for fashion design, pattern making, and textile arts. One of their flagship programs is Garment Designer, which is a software for designing custom-fit clothing patterns, without a fashion degree!

Garment Designer is a program that you can download onto your computer for a one-time fee and you will have it forever! For an additional cost, you can download extension packs with more style options. Since you own the software, you can create as many patterns as you like!

Use it for at least seven months and you save over many subscription-based programs! (Based on Tailor Nova subscription of $29/month).

Garment Designer allows users to create patterns for a variety of garments, including tops, dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, and more. Users can choose from a variety of style options, including necklines, sleeves, collars, and pockets, and can customize the fit and sizing of their designs. The software also includes a variety of tools for adding seam allowances, creating darts and pleats, and generating cutting layouts.

In addition to Garment Designer, Cochenille Design Studio offers a range of other software programs and tools for fashion and textile design, including Stitch Painter, a software for creating custom stitch designs for knit beading and stitching. The company also offers workshops and tutorials for users of their software.

Garment Designer Features:

• software program
• use a sloper or standard measurements
• type in ease and other style attributes
• design any pattern! Unlimited amount
• One-time fee
• Don’t need to know pattern drafting
• Projectable? You can export the file size on any size PDF. Cochenille Design Studio does plan to make the files more projector friendly in the future.
• No instructions included

Wild Ginger Software

Wild Ginger Software’s website offers a range of software programs for fashion design, pattern making, and customization. Their program, Pattern Master, is a software for creating custom-fit clothing patterns.

Pattern Master allows users to create patterns for a variety of garments, including tops, dresses, skirts, pants, and more. Users can choose from a variety of style options, including necklines, sleeves, collars, and pockets, and can customize the fit and sizing of their designs. The software also includes a variety of tools for adding seam allowances, creating darts and pleats, and generating cutting layouts.

Pattern Master is available in many different packages according to the type of patterns that you will make. For the home sewist, you can also purchase each pattern individually. See all of their different products here. They have patterns available in Mens, Womens, and Childrens, along with many add ons.

In comparison to Garment Designer, both Pattern Master and Garment Designer offer similar functionalities for creating custom-fit clothing patterns with a range of style options and customization tools.

Wild Ginger Features:

• Pay per pattern or buy an entire suite
• Free trial “Wild Things” accessories
• Multiple pay levels, including for the home sewist single patterns
• patterns are individually priced patterns that are made to your measurements
• Sewing instructions come with each pattern
• Software downloaded to your computer
• Makes print at home PDFs

Conclusion

Wow! Can you believe how many ways there are to create custom-drafted patterns?! I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what is out there!

I’d love to hear if you try any of these and what your favorites are!

Feel free to leave a comment below or tag @projectorsewing on Instagram.

Maybe the future of sewing means you don’t need to make pattern adjustments because each pattern will be custom drafted to your body!

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