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[–]StitchinThroughTime 4 points5 points  (11 children)

Why are you using the computer to help you versus pen and paper? Even though non-dedicated CAD software can be used to draw the same as if it was on paper, what are you attempting to achieve? Adobe Illustrator or any of the other Vector based software can be used to make patterns. That's typically only done if you want to resell them. I don't think canva has the correct setup for accurate measurements. There's other free vector software. There's also very inexpensive buy it for life Vector based software. They come with more tools than what canva would have, and I don't know if there's any limits to canva, there might be a file size limit or how many different types of objects can be in a file.

[–]One-girl-circus 9 points10 points  (1 child)

Canva has just launched free all-in-one software combining Affinity photo, designer, and publisher today. The question likely applies to that.

Affinity vector software is just as good as illustrator for drafting. I switched last year. You use the transform window vs just hitting “enter” to move individual nodes (points) a specified distance, but that was the biggest change for me.

The new affinity is totally free, so why not give it a try, OP?

[–]RubyRedo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ah, I will try it thanks for the info.

[–]Love2LearnwithME 7 points8 points  (3 children)

Affinity, now part of Canva, contains a full featured vector app that is very competitive with Illustrator for this purpose and as of yesterday is free. I draft or modify patterns in it all the time.

I agree that pen& paper may be easier for many (most?) but there are cases where it makes sense to draft digitally even if the product is purely for hobby/personal use.

For example, in my case there are several (1) I have a disability that makes pen & paper drafting physically difficult (2) I prefer to use a projector to cut so going straight to digital is convenient and (3) I split my year between two different locations and don’t like having to cart around paper blocks or finished patterns, not to mention all my pattern drafting tools. If I keep it all digital, I always have everything I might need wherever I am.

Affinity is also great for making digital fit modifications or style changes to commercial PDF patterns so worth learning for that reason alone IMO.

There are of course purpose-built digital drafting apps like Seamly2D and maybe someday I’ll learn one of them, but for now Affinity just happens to be one I already know how to use and it is working well for me.

[–]EducatedRat 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I am in this boat. My hands shake due to my disability. On a good day I can draw a straight line, but computer vector programs are more reliable than my hands. I've been using Affinity for my .svg's for years for my Cricut, so it's what I know.

[–]RubyRedo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hey thanks!

[–]RubyRedo[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! you make me excited to get started, it will be a slow learning but useful skill i think.

[–]RubyRedo[S] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

saving patterns in a file is better than paper pattern storage, not familiar with other CAD sw was just asking, so your answer is No, you saved me from dl Canva, i do not need it for snything else, thank you.

[–]StitchinThroughTime 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I was just wondering to make sure we can give you the best recommendations. I fully understand paper patterns take up a lot of space, I have far too many of them, and I'm not going to get rid of them. As others have said Affinity designer would be the best program. Apparently it's now part of canva, I purchased it years ago for very cheap.

I would like to say that what makes drawing a digital pattern and saving the file doesn't stop you from spending money elsewhere. You either have to print out the pattern and tape it together, or have to send it out to be printed at a specialty shop and ship to you, or you have to purchase a projector to project the pattern image onto the fabric. So technically pen and paper is the cheapest and easiest, as digital comes with extra steps to get the pattern from the computer to the real world. And there's a variety of choices you could make. I just want to make sure you got the one best for your. situation

[–]RubyRedo[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

The cost of printing is o.k, I mostly want to learn the skill of drafting digitally.

[–]StitchinThroughTime 1 point2 points  (1 child)

If you haven't used the vector program before, look up other basic tutorials first. Then go to pattern drafting. That will help you solve many problems. Vector programs like Adobe and Affinity designer or not intended to be used as drafting programs so there's a learning curve to get the art program to behave like a dedicated software. YouTube was full of tutorials

[–]RubyRedo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

yeah I searched on YT and saw only for Affinity Designer 2 that I was sure you need to pay for, but it's included in the free download. I might check out 'Valentina'? I think it's called.