How To Digitize Sewing Patterns For Personal and Commercial Use?

Regardless who you are, if you are seeking a way to reach out the broader audience to build your brand, then digitizing your patterns is the most crucial step you can take to reach out the right type of audience.  

Infact Particularly for those interested in selling their designs, digital assets is the only way to monetize your creative work and make a living through it.

However, that being said, it is not the easiest thing to do.  It will be a daunting task as there are many imperative considerations one has to take to get proper results.

But don’t worry! I am here to help! In this blog, I’ll go over all you need to know about digitizing sewing patterns. This includes encompassing both personal use and for selling. 

Sounds helpful? Great! Let’s begin!  

1. Tools and Software

okay, let’s begin the journey with gathering the right kind of tools and devices you need to properly digitize sewing patterns.

Here are some key components you gonna need;

1.1 Something to Scan

First and foremost, you’re gonna need something to scan. Now, Often the things recommended to transform your patterns into digital assets are a simple photocopy scanner or a mobile app, but we recommend that you only use a high-quality camera for this. Since you don’t want people to complain about the low quality image particularly its  precision in capturing fine details.

1. 2 Vector Graphics Software

Second most crucial thing you’re gonna need is a vector graphics software. The reason behind this is that standard image types like JPEG are not ideal when it comes to capturing pixel details cause the the moment you zoom the image it will become blurry to the viewer. 

That’s the only image you type you need to go with is a vector image type. This particular type not only help you with scalability of the pattern for detailed use but also grants the user the ability to edit the lines and shapes later on, if they need to suit their specific project.

Most recommended graphics software for vector image creation is Adobe Illustrator and Inkscape. The former is paid soft but packs a lot more power for customization and later is open source and free with arguably less features. 

1.3 PDF Conversion Tool

Next you’re gonna need a PDF conversion software. The reason behind this is you can’t really sell vector type as a digital product, because most people are unaware of how to deal with a vector, specify how to open and edit it.

This is where PDF comes into the picture. So, to create digital patterns assets that you can use for actual distribution, you’ll need  a software that converts your vector graphics into PDF files without losing any quality. 

Luckily for this you are not gonna have to spend more money on extra software. Most image editing software like the above mentioned adobe and inkspace have this function, on top of that you can also rely on web based free to use tools like Ilovepdf.com and others.

2. How To Digitize Sewing Patterns Process

Alright, it is finally time to get into the thing you are here for in the first place.. Now that you know what you need here is the digitization process you need to follow.

2.1 Scanning

First step in the process is getting the scan done for your paper pattern. In this step you wanna begin by setting up for the maximum resolution scan possible. Remember this will give you a large scale file but that is exactly what we want, cause the file size is directly proportion to the pixel quality for the image. 

So, Try to get as large a file as you can, this will ensure a high resolution for your paper. 

Also, Set the scanner to save images in a common file format like JPEG don’t go for a PNG here, it won’t matter..

2.2 Importing Images

Okay, now let’s bring the images files you created into software so you can convert them to vector files. To begin this step you simply wanna open up the software, create a new document ( since it’s vector based soft– size doesn’t matter) and look for the import option in the file tab above. 

Done properly you image should be at the center of the image ready for the vectorization.

2.3 Tracing and Editing

Now, it is time to begin the vectorization for your pattern. Luckily you can do this in a simple way though something can ruin the result, so you should be careful with this method.

These days most softwares offer AI based automatic vector generator tools. Once again these are not accurate and require additional considerations to ensure quality but work pretty well once you get used to it. So, I recommend you do this instead for your patterns.

For everyone else who doesn’t trust AI with your craft, you need to do this the hard way. For this you wanna begin by tracing over the scanned pattern lines. For this you simply gonna use the software’s drawing tools particularly the pen tool. 

Just be extra cautious and Ensure that lines and shapes are precise and once done properly make the necessary adjustments or modifications.

2.4 Creating Layers 

Hopefully, by now you have your file ready, now it time organize your pattern. You can easily do this with the help of separate layers for different elements. 

For example notches, grain lines, and labels. This is particularly important if you plan to sell your pattern, the user down the line will find this organization helpful.

2.5 Test Printing 

Okay, the final step is here. Now, to finalize the digital pattern, you should print it out one sample piece  to ensure that it reproduces accurately on paper. And for whatever reason you found a mistake just make proper adjustments as necessary.

Closing Thoughts

So, whether you’re digitizing patterns assets for safekeeping or venturing into the market of pattern design for sale, Hopefully, with our guide above you were able to get the proper result that you wanted.

What do you think about the steps? Did we miss something? Let us know in the comment section below.