2019 - 2024: customizable patterns are 5 years old

Five years of customizable patterns ! This is a big step for this couture concept launched in 2019. For 5 years, your enthusiasm has continued to grow. Thanks to these patterns, I have achieved my goal of encouraging you to cultivate creativity. Thank you!
I suggest we look back over these five years, from the genesis of the project to today.

the genesis of the project

The idea of ​​customizable patterns is much more than 5 years old. If we go back a little, in 2014, I launched an online brand of custom dresses where the customer could compose their model. The neckline, the skirt, the sleeves, the fabric, everything was customizable!

I spent four years developing this brand, particularly in the wedding world to dress bridesmaids and even brides. This experience allowed me to develop my skills in sewing (on the assembly line, with nearly 100 dresses per season!) and in custom pattern making.

In 2018, I decided to stop this adventure which was struggling to become profitable despite the support of customers. But I was not going to throw away four years of work, especially the pattern making. That's how the idea of ​​customizable patterns began to germinate...

the concept

So I have dozens of models already graded in several sizes at my disposal. But a pattern is not a sewing pattern. You have to create the boards, the booklets, the visuals... Although I have been a designer of sewing patterns since 2014 with my books published by Mango, these are skills that I had not yet learned because they are subcontracted by my publishing house. So I trained myself in tools like Illustrator and InDesign so that my patterns are marketable.

Nine months of work later (with the arrival of a little boy at the same time), the patterns were ready to be launched in May 2019. You immediately responded and embraced this new couture concept. When I launched these patterns, I was still unsure of the future of my creative entrepreneurship experience. But you simply managed to rekindle my flame to continue creating!

• size system

My years of tailoring with wedding and bridesmaid dresses have made me realize that it is impossible to offer fitted dresses in a standard size system. That is why, as soon as the customizable patterns were launched, I chose to offer them in 2 types of bust and 3 heights (small, standard and tall). This is a rare proposition in the world of sewing patterns and many of you appreciate it.

• PDF format

The digital format for customizable patterns came to me for two reasons.

I didn't want to be blocked by publishing constraints. My experience as an author of sewing books has taught me that the paper format can be restrictive, whether in terms of pattern making (with reduced size boards) or also for the booklets and therefore the quality of the instructions. The PDF was for me the assurance of offering you a rich and interactive sewing experience with a system of size layers, dozens of step-by-step photos and patterns with many variations included.

In addition, the digital format allowed me to free myself from the logistical constraints of pocket patterns, and thus save time to leave the door open for other projects if necessary.

developments since 2019

• 6 more sizes

Initially from 34 to 44, I have spent a lot of time in recent years developing a new method for making my pattern in order to offer customizable patterns from 34 to 56, always with chest and height variations to make custom-made accessible to all. Since October 2023, it has been done for the entire range !

• constantly evolving booklets

I regularly improve the pattern instruction booklets. More advice on choosing your size, more details in the step-by-step instructions, more readable and harmonized photos... The customizable patterns are constantly evolving to make them ever richer and more complete.

• a customization tool

In 2023, I met someone who developed an interactive tool on my site that allows you to visualize your pattern composition. This is a building block that was greatly missing from the concept. I postponed this step for a long time because it required a significant investment for my brand. I am very happy to have succeeded in realizing this project, which is essential to help you project yourself and imagine your next couture creation.

• the married offer

My brand has its origins in the world of weddings. It was therefore important for me to continue to offer you an offer in this area . It is thanks to the ebook "My wedding dress", released in January 2020, that I encourage you to sew a wedding dress for yourself or a loved one. It is the perfect complement to the customizable patterns to help you realize your desires. I am always moved and impressed when you send me photos of your wedding dresses ♡

• not just dresses...

And even if the patterns were originally intended for the wedding world, I was keen in my developments to make them suitable for everyday life. Patterns like the Overalls , the Classic Shirt , the bonuses "Just the Top" and "Just the Bottom" , give you the opportunity to create something other than dressy dresses.

• english, please!

Another major milestone in these five years was to translate my entire catalog into English. It is one of my goals for the future to try to make the customizable patterns shine beyond French-speaking countries. I know that there are already seamstresses across the Atlantic who are attracted by the concept, I hope that there will be more and more of them.

And now ?

This project still excites me as much, I am not ready to stop patterning and sewing to further enrich the patterns to personalize. Many paths of evolution are emerging in my head but I do not yet know in which direction I will go. So, do not hesitate to share your desires with me, I am listening to you!