Wild Ginger

Ask away, I use Wild Ginger.

Barbee

I use it.

Olwyn Mary n New Orleans.

Yes, the patterns have to be pieced together, unless you own a plotter. But it's no big deal. There are as few as 4, or as many as

12 pieces, and just doesn't take that long. There are registration marks on each sheet, so you can't go wrong when putting them together.

Teri

Yup, and they also have a message board at their web site with a ton of collective knowledge, if you do web-based message boards (I don't.)

Me! I have Boutique and Celebrations, and am going to get Tailor Made (for blokes' stuff). I downloaded Wild Things to play with, which is fun.

Yes, unless you have a plotter.

Goody! Lots of users.

I've only read a review of the program so these are prbably dumb questions; I just want to check my interpretation of the info I have and see if I am interpreting it correctly.

I gather that this programs are not for a beginner and needs some good sound dressmaking experience.

Is the PatternMaster program the one that home dressmakers would buy? Does this come with a whole range of styling options or does one them have to buy additional 'patterns' that 'plug into' the program or can all style be done one owns the right program or are these stand alone patterns that can be used by people who don't have the PatternMaster Program?

Since I only tend to sew clothes for myself, could I buy only the "PatternMaker Boutique Women's Wardrobe" and be able to produce patterns that would suit a smart casual wardrobe?

How good is the fit?

I also noticed in the review I read that there is an option to select 'J' curve crotch or an 'L' curve crotch. Is this just a description of what the seam line looks like or is it something more interesting?

TIA.

Fran

Dear Fran,

The J curve and L curve are shapes for the crotch. I have no butt, so I use the L curve, which seems to fit better. The fit is only as good as the measurements you input. If they're precise, you'll get good fit.

Teri

Most probably yes.

I've been using Wild Ginger for years, have all of the full programs and love them!. I think they now sell these in a bundled package. I purchased the Women's Wear-PM Boutique, Children's Clothing, Lingerie/swim/sports wear-Curves, and the men's Tailor Made, oh, and Wild Things Vintage. They are not, however "instructional". This program does not teach you to sew. There are loads of good books out there, mentioned many times here (except I can't remember the names at the moment, I'm sure somebody would be glad to supply a list if you asked) that you could use for reference. If you don't have a knowledge of construction and assembly and intermediate sewing skills you just may have some problems....or not. They do have wonderful tech support in my experience. You should know how to set sleeves, collars, ease in fullness, attach facings, etc.

An instructor at my Viking dealership printed her patterns out with her "banner program", I never could figure that one out myself. I use regular

8x10 paper and tape them together up on my sliding glass door. If it's one I'm going to keep I put it back up on my door and trace it on to Swiss Tracing paper.....sort of an interfacing, light Pelon-y type product with printed grids. I scored 35 rolls of this stuff cheap ($5 for the lot) years ago at a yard sale! Then I clip the pieces on a hanger and hang (file) it in the closet.

I would make the very strong suggestion to spend $25 on one of the Click & Sew patterns and give that a try before you make a large investment on one of the full programs. They *are* expensive and if it turns out you can't or don't use it, it would be doubly disappointing. One the frustration of it not being used and second the weeping over the hole left in your bank account. You could also download "Wild Things" for free on their web site and print out a pattern for one of the many articles (easy peasey) to sew up and see how that goes for you.

One other tip, JMPO, is to have a *reliable* person do your measurements and follow the instructions for measuring exactly. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, twice. It would be extremely difficult, if at all likely to be accurate with a tape as you bend and contort to measure yourself. Wear the under garments you would normally wear under whatever you are going to sew when you take the measurements.

Val

Yes and no. There are only minimal, if any, construction instructions. If you have a book to tell you how to sew, you can use that and then draft the patterns with the program. Some beginners do okay and others don't. My experience has been that the biggest reason beginners do not succeed in using the program is that they expect it to work like something on The Jetsons -- punch a few buttons and out comes your perfect garment. That's not the way it works. The software works as well as any flat-drafting method. You may still need to alter the pattern to get it perfectly the way you want.

There are several different versions of WG's Pattern Master series:

Boutique -- regular women's clothing Curves -- lingerie, foundation garments, knitwear, activewear, swimwear Celebrations -- formal wear Vintage -- vintage clothing Tailor Made -- men's wear Child's Play -- for children There's also one for maternity and baby clothes, but I forget the name.

Each of these is a standalone program. There are no add-ons, nor is there a need for one within the limitation of each program. (That is one thing I love about it.)

As far as patterns being able to be used by those who don't have the Pattern Master programs, the licensing agreement states that you cannot create patterns and redistribute them without altering the pattern so that it is no longer recognizable as the original stock-drafted pattern. With that said, if you do alter the patterns and redistribute, you can send the physical paper pattern out, or you can send the dxf file (DXF is sort of like RTF; a universal CAD format that can be read by any CAD program worth its salt) and the person can use a CAD program (there are a number of free ones out on the internet if they don't already own one) to print the pattern, or they can take the dxf file to Kinko's and have them print it.

Yes, with the exception that Boutique is not particularly created to make knit garments with negative ease. That's what Curves is for.

It is as good as any flat-drafting program. You may still need to fit the patterns after they are created. If you don't know how to tell how much ease you want, you can make garments that don't fit the way you want. But professional dressmakers who flat-draft patterns by hand have the same problems.

It's a description of what the back center seam looks like on the pattern back piece.

I have Tailor Made and love it. I calculated after making the fourth shirt and one jacket instead of purchasing them in the Big & Tall Shop it had paid for itself. Check out Wild Things Vintage, now that one IS cool....and a justifiable price (good hint to whisper in Santa's ear). I've had all kinds of fun with it.

Val

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread. I now have lots more info to think about and perhaps even to act upon.

Fran