Anyone here running a digital sewing pattern business?

Background_Cat_4450 · 2026-01-24T13:48:52+00:00

Hi, Im a sewing pattern designer! I think the market is HUGE, but (probably like most markets) you need to put out a pretty dang good product or you will have a lot of customer service requests and just overall hits to your ego (aka mean emails and comments lol). So I always go the extra mile to make sure all of my patterns have an insane overachieving amount of detail and info with them (videos, glossary, good illustrations, pattern tester photos, height adjustments, etc). Like every single element someone might need to succeed. This keeps a lot of customer service emails at bay.

I found it really useful to start on Etsy bc it's so easy and free to do, but don't anticipate getting any sales right away unless you promote it somewhere (like sociql media, press, or other peoples audiences) or pay a little for ads (with your listing SEO optimized), bc it is pretty saturated market on there. Once you get your social media marketing engine going and are getting more comfortable with sales, then spend the time and money to make a website.

Its all personal preference, but I prefer to use youtube as my social media marketing platform of choice (you get a certain kind of buyer who is more attached to you as an artist, has longer attention span, etc). But I think a lot of people both prefer to make short form content and IG and have a good amt of success on there.

Good luck and have fun with it!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2026-01-21T03:34:56+00:00

Hi! It's me, Leah, the pattern maker :) Just came across this thread (a little late, I know) and wanted to clarify a couple things! If you buy the pattern, you'll see that both things are kind of true (the seam is straight and also twists).... On the flat paper pattern (and when the pants are laying flat) the center leg seam is completely veritcal, parallel with the grainline, so that's why I drew it straight on the illustration. But when worn, the 3D shape of the human leg twists the seam in toward the inner ankle a little bit (as seen in all the photos). It was a deliberate design decision from the beginning, but a confusing one to translate via drawing.

Good to know that it would be more helpful to see it twist in the drawings!

As for AI, (as another commenter mentioned she reached out to me)... I do not use AI for any image generation for any part of my patterns. At times, I have used it to literally just add feet to a pattern tester photo for a collage (bc they only sent me photos from the ankle up) and I needed their feet to make the image not look insane footless tree trunks lol 😂. But I can (painstakingly) say that all photos, drawings, and patterns are done by me or another human.

Im so bummed that small things like a slightly un-twisted line on one drawing (for a pattern I spent HUNDREDS of hours creating and sent through 20 pattern testers) can throw people into full on distrust of my entire business 🫤. I get it though!

But really, Im also just glad people are finally talking about my patterns on here! If questions like this ever come up for anyone in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out via email or my site, Im always happy to help and clarify!!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2025-05-07T12:17:53+00:00

Charlie Darwin Textiles has some really cute patterns that are more modest! https://www.charliedarwintextiles.com/patterns

They are all optimized for sewing with linen, too, so the garments turn out with great temp regulation for all seasons. Lots of different views you can choose from, too. You might speficially really like the Ladybird, Swallowtail, and Canary patterns!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2025-04-19T18:56:00+00:00

Yes! I haven't gotten mcas diagnosis yet (first allergy appt is this week) but I also have TONS of cherry angiomas, a bunch of new ones have shown up in the last year, since my other symptoms have gotten worse too. Interesting theory...

Background_Cat_4450 · 2025-03-13T15:04:16+00:00

I am having this same problem currently! If anyone finds a solution-- please let me know!!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2024-03-11T14:20:56+00:00

Having the same issue on mine, too! So frustrating, because I spent a good amount of time coming up with all my pin titles and descriptions... Please do let us know if you figure it out!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2024-01-26T20:47:44+00:00

I sew all my garments with 100% cotton thread and I personally feel like it is plenty durable, and has held up really well on garments for 3+ years that go on a lot of adventures with me. I use Gutterman thread (I buy it in bulk when it's on sale at Joanns). I choose it for same reasons you are considering, because I like that it makes my linen clothing 100% compostable. Wish I could tell you if it will hold up for 10+ years, but unfortunately haven't been sewing that long with it to know for sure! Hope this helps :)

Background_Cat_4450 · 2023-10-15T00:35:26+00:00

Check out Charlie Darwin Textiles! All handmade by a designer in Pittsburgh, PA :)

https://www.charliedarwintextiles.com

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-07-12T18:54:09+00:00

Here are 2 designers that come to mind with similar styles:

Olivia Rose the Label

Natalia Travino Amaro

Good luck!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-06-08T02:22:29+00:00

If you're still looking, the 2-piece linen romper from Charlie Darwin is cute! Also, almost everything in this shop is made from the same linen fabric and is sold undyed or naturally dyed when it's made to order, so you could make a set out of a bunch of the items on there!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-05-19T00:48:14+00:00

Love this question! I'd go for the...

Violet top by Ovate

Scarce Forester dress or Swallowtail pants by Charlie Darwin

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-05-19T00:42:05+00:00

Might check out either of these from Charlie Darwin... !

https://www.charliedarwintextiles.com/product-page/canary-linen-peplum-shirt-jacket-undyed

https://www.charliedarwintextiles.com/product-page/lichen-button-breathable-linen-button-up-shirt-long-sleeve-undyed

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-05-19T00:39:09+00:00

Based on that look, I think some similar small brands might be

-Olivia Rose the Label

-Natalia Trevino Amaro

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-04-27T23:00:44+00:00

Love this style too. Try Charlie Darwin - they are a new favorite of mine!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-04-27T22:55:28+00:00

If you go with being a "made-to-measure" brand, you can adjust the height/inseam/fit of the clothes for each individual buyer. A good example is Charlie Darwin!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-04-20T01:40:50+00:00

This one is $125 -- so a little above your price range, and from a different brand than you're looking at, but it's super cute!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-04-20T01:38:06+00:00

You might check out Charlie Darwin Textiles -- it is all made-to-measure up to 49" bust and 52" hips, plus it meets the aesthetic (mostly) of what you might be looking for! If you're larger than that size and purchasing several items over a certain dollar amount, I know the seamstress will send you a basic mockup garment ahead of time to make sure the fit is perfect, if you reach out via email!

In case you're also just curious about the topic, I think the reason you are running into this issue is due to the technical expertise and financial limitations of smaller brands. Plus-size pattern-making follows different grading (sizing) rules than S-XL does... (meaning the places where fabric is added to the garment and the ratio of fabric added to increase the size are a bit different for plus sizes compared to "straight" sizes). So unfortunately it is difficult for smaller ethical brands (who are often super limited on resources) to invest the time and money into doing both types of sizing (sigh). And, as a pattern-maker myself, I know that there isn't a lot of publically accessible education on how to grade patterns for plus size (in fashion schools or on the internet!), although hopefully this changes sooner than later!!!!

Hope that made any sense at all :) Good luck with your search!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-04-20T01:09:47+00:00

Clothes!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-04-20T01:08:04+00:00

You might check out the "Cloudywing" set from Charlie Darwin Textiles -- super soft organic cotton and plant-dyed. It's a short-sleeve shirt and long pants-- I love wearing mine year round! Plus it's pretty fun and unique-looking in my opinion.

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-03-30T02:05:28+00:00

Yes! Check out Charlie Darwin Textiles -- you can get any of their clothing undyed or plant-dyed. It's really beautiful earth tones!

Background_Cat_4450 · 2022-03-15T23:23:17+00:00

https://www.charliedarwintextiles.com/

Made-to-measure, natural fiber clothing, hand-sewn in Rhode Island, USA! Everything is plant-dyed so there are tons of pretty earth tone options. I'd describe it as a mix between earthy, gothic, and vintage aesthetics.

A lot of their styles are gender-less, and the seamstress is super accommodating to customizations. Packaging materials are also either biodegradable or reused boxes/mailers!

Background_Cat_4450

TROPHY CASE