Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: Madddy
Date: 07-10-2006, 09:42 AM (1 of 17)
|
I've done a couple of searches on here, and read the posts relating to the patternmaster program, but I didn't find answers to my question. I'm looking at getting the women's wardrobe CD, and possibly the evening wear CD. My question is, is it worth getting both? Or can I design evening wear style lines in the women's wardrobe program? Seeings I don't have the program, can anyone tell me if I can put in my own designs and style lines to have the patterns drafted for me? Drafting from scratch is taking a lot of my time, and it's time I don't have as I have a new line coming out, as well as doing samples for my new website. |
User: Madddy
Member since: 07-08-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: Christine0329
Date: 07-10-2006, 03:03 PM (2 of 17)
| I recommend that you go to the PMB website and e-mail the company with your questions. The company is still small enough for the people to be responsive to questions. Questions may even give them ideas for enhancements and/or new programs. I have the program but have not used it. I found I knew so little about fitting that I could not even get a well fitting muslin. Will go back some time and try again. |
User: Christine0329
Member since: 01-23-2006 Total posts: 12 |
From: MaryW
Date: 07-10-2006, 05:40 PM (3 of 17)
|
This is from Claire, she emailed it to me earlier today. Hi Maddy, I have PMB v.3 and have a great time with it. Yes, after you design a garment with their options you can then take it into Pattern Editor and made additional changes. There is a learning curve. I don't have Celebrations which is an evening, formal wear program. If you go to: <http://wildginger.com/> and click on Free Demos (left side) you can download a full demo. The only thing you can't do is print. This is the best way to see what you get before you buy. If you buy and don't like it they have a 30 day return/get your money back offer. The support is great thru the company and their forum. Also many areas of the country have PMB groups where we toss around ideas, do measurements, etc. Best wishes. Claire (in southern AZ) MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: Madddy
Date: 07-10-2006, 06:57 PM (4 of 17)
|
Christine: I considered doing that, but wild ginger is a company, a company sells a product, and that product comes with a profit.. I don't think they'll advise me that I only actually need to get one product instead of two! lol Mary/Claire: Yes I've worked with drafting softwear before, so I'm not worried about that, more the amount of changes that can be made with the full program, as the demo is limited. That is my question, can the style lines in the one program, be changed to cover the evening wear/formal style lines? If not, then I'll get both.. I'm considering taking advantage of the money back offer, but will have to check out the returns policy.. |
User: Madddy
Member since: 07-08-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 07-11-2006, 06:03 AM (5 of 17)
|
Maddy - For the longest time many that had PMB did formal wear in PMB as we didn't have Celebrations. Celebrations is fairly new, so yes you can do formal wear in PMB. The biggest thing about the Wild Ginger software is that you get a full Auto Cad or what they call an Editor to change, or completely draft your pattern. So you can take a style line from the PMB line, open it into the Editor (Auto Cad) portion, then change it to your hearts content. For years many women did this! Or you can take the basic designs in dresses and/or skirts just make them floor length if you wanted. Now what does Celebrations offer - well it does offer more style lines of formal wear. So if you want a more formal line that is driven you aren't really designing then Celebrations could be for you. The women that do more formal wear sewing really opted to purchase this. Did that help or make sense? If you download the demos you can see the differences in the style lines that they offer. Each program though has a full editor program that lets you completely redesign the pattern - or at that design something from point zero. In the end you have to decide what make you happy 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246 
|
From: Madddy
Date: 07-11-2006, 06:52 AM (6 of 17)
| Laura: Thanks hon! That's exactly the answer I'm looking for! |
User: Madddy
Member since: 07-08-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 07-11-2006, 07:56 AM (7 of 17)
|
Glad I could help! I don't have Celebrations since I don't wear much formal wear, but do have PMB & Child's Play. Once you get the handle on using the Editor it is really handy to not only tweak your patterns, but to change styles to copy RTW, other Big 4 patterns, etc - but in your personal size. Have fun making you final decision! 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: MaryW
Date: 07-11-2006, 09:02 AM (8 of 17)
|
I don't know much about this but I am on a discussion list where the owners of PMB were guests for a week answering questions and explaining their product. These people seemed very helpful and down to earth with the people who needed help or guidance with the programs. Good luck.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: Madddy
Date: 07-12-2006, 05:17 AM (9 of 17)
| Laura: I don't suppose there is a feature allowing you to scan in designs you've done on paper? |
User: Madddy
Member since: 07-08-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: Madddy
Date: 07-12-2006, 05:18 AM (10 of 17)
| Mary: Thanks! |
User: Madddy
Member since: 07-08-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 07-13-2006, 09:54 AM (11 of 17)
|
You can scan things into the program as a jpg if you wanted. I did it with pattern pieces I wanted to adjust for the right fit in a design I was copying. Once I put it in as a jpg then you have to play with the reduce/enlarge features, once I got it the right size I was able to redraw the lines to get the piece I need in the size I needed. I will say that I lurked on the group that had Lisa & Paul hosted. Lisa is the programmer of the Wild Ginger software, Paul is her husband. Lisa sends out updates, free of charge, every 3 months to her purchased newest version software. With those updates you will get any bugs and/or problems users have reported fixed, and sometimes new features and/or styles. One thing I suggest is that you save you updates, don't copy over them. That way if the new update has a programming bug that you can't work around, you can re-install the old update until the new one gets fixed. This is one of the issues that some don't talk about. Lisa though tries to be helpful, but she is one person, dealing with now several software packages. I will also mention that you have to understand that this software is like her children, she loves doing this, and sometimes can get hurt feelings over her babies. Then Paul loves & adores his wife, and he is a major part of the company, and feels it is his job to protect her, so when her feels get hurt .... So I like the software on one side, but I haven't been on their boards in several months. Personally I got tired of the updates that would cause problems somewhere else, then have to wait for fixes for that. Then watch comments to not offend feelings. I'll still use the software once in a while but right now after 3 - 4 years with it I'm on the fence. When I look at the boards I realize outside of a few steadfast users that seem to be certified, there is a strong turnover of users. So really think about it, any software for that measure. I think though the one thing with Wild Ginger is the Editor, I do like the free form of drafting. Okay off my soap box - I wanted to say these things - seems I've had people talk to me privately about these issues, but never had anyone actually talked about them regarding Wild Ginger. I think many are always afraind of hurting Lisa's feelings somehow. But if you are in the market of selling software you have to take the good with the bad - I wonder if Bill Gates gets upset everytime someone doesn't like his software? LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: Madddy
Date: 07-14-2006, 03:29 AM (12 of 17)
|
LOL ok.. thanks for the honesty! Have you found a more preferable program? |
User: Madddy
Member since: 07-08-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 07-14-2006, 07:36 AM (13 of 17)
|
No I don't have one to tell you is better then the other. I do think that Wild Ginger has good customer service, that puts them ahead of the others. I think pattern making software is still in it learning curve so to speak. I also realize that as consumers we want to be able to put our measurements into the computer software & have it spit out a perfectly fitting pattern. But it just can't happen, there are variables in the fact that patterns are flat and are bodies aren't - and software can't take somethings into account - so you will still have to tweak! I think it amazes people that even with software you still need to do muslins and/or pin-fit. Also since the software is actual drafting people become confused in garment ease, sleeve cap ease, sleeve cap heights - since you take a base style then you have to design it you have allot of choices that will relate to the overall fit too. Then of course your fabric choice then plays into the fit of the garment also. I don't know if you've looked at others but do try others, read, and try demos if you can, before you make your final decision. These 2 I've heard good things about: Garment Designer (http://www.cochenille.com/garm.html) PatternMaker (http://www.patternmaker.com/) ---Leena's (http://www.leenas.com/index.html) has great tips, on making things with PatternMaker. Heck I even used her stuff in PMB in Editor to back & understand my basic sloper for pants! On PMB & Wild Ginger - there is group on Yahoo you can join to ask questions: Pattern Masters Users Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/patternmasterusers/) You can also join the Wild Ginger Forum (http://www.wildginger.com/pmchat.htm) but you will be limited to only the public areas, and will not be able to see and/or post to all the areas the paid product forum members are using. I wanted you to have the honest side of the software too - so you weren't surprised after spending the money. Also many people after they buy Wild Ginger Software end up buying the Patternmaking By Fashion Design by Helen Joseph Armstrong (the book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131112112/qid=1152876779/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/103-2386687-6831813?s=books&v=glance&n=283155) ) as it is the base that the Wild Ginger software is supposedly written by. Probably more info then you needed !  But seriously just trying to give my experience
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: Madddy
Date: 07-20-2006, 12:36 AM (14 of 17)
|
LOL thanks hon! I'm certainly taking everything you've said on board! |
User: Madddy
Member since: 07-08-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: JMom
Date: 08-02-2006, 12:23 PM (15 of 17)
|
I have PMB V3, and the rest of the Wild Ginger programs. I haven't used much but PMB V3 and Tailor Made (for men's clothing). I enjoy using these programs, they pretty much deliver on what they promise, and the service is very good. I have been a lurker on the Wild Ginger Forum for a long time. I too have noticed a turnover of people there, but I believe that what happens is that beginners to PMB join up and learn a lot from the forum to start with. Then, after a while, they learn how to work the program, they learn how to solve their own problems, they learn how to fit their own bodies, and they don't need the forum so much anymore. I also believe that the questions and answers on the forum tend to repeat after a period of time. The new beginners ask the same questions the old beginners did. As people figure out how to work the program for themselves, they don't ask as many questions, and they're not interested in seeing the same answers again, so they move on. There certainly is a learning curve to using the programs, and you kind of have to learn to think like the program does. But this is true of any program. The more you know about drafting patterns, the easier the process should be (I think). Since I didn't know beans about drafting, much less sewing, I have come quite a ways, with a long way left to go. Anyway, I do like the Wild Ginger programs, and the Wild Ginger people stand behind their product better, and more personally, than most. Jennifer |
User: JMom
Member since: 05-25-2006 Total posts: 9 |
From: LauraM62
Date: 08-02-2006, 02:25 PM (16 of 17)
|
Jennifer, That is where some people get lost with the software though, where I think users of pattern software get lost. Once they get the fit, then they have to start a design process. The idea of marriage of fabrics, ease levels, etc becomes hard. Why a dress selection would work one time and not another, when you have to look at your fabric choices, that should have changed some of your selections. I think this is where you still have to understand that pin fitting is necessary. This is where I have noticed users back on pattern sewing boards, sewing patterns, doing manual alterations. Sometimes I think having the design already done, having someone telling you what fabric work, ease selectons already considered is just easier. I know others though that still use their Wild Ginger Sloper for their alteration process of their patterns. It is the thought processes that you have to work through with software, the remembering that you get a base line of a garment, you have to make all the design element choices - good or bad. Even I find that it is often easier to let someone else make the design choices for me, make the altertions manually, and get to sewing - unless I want something I can't find in a pattern. 
LauraM
SW Indiana If everyone cared and nobody cried; If everyone loved and nobody lied; If everyone shared and swallowed their pride; Then we'd see the day when nobody died --'If Everyone Cared' by Nickelback |
User: LauraM62
Member since: 08-10-2003 Total posts: 246
|
From: JMom
Date: 08-03-2006, 04:51 PM (17 of 17)
|
Yup, you absolutely could be right. The program does leave you free to make mistakes that a pattern envelope might have prevented. When I started sewing, I knew absolutely nothing about pattern drafting and altering, and I am an absolutely failure at anything artistic. I am one of the favoured few who can't draw a straight line even with a ruler. The idea of doing pattern alterations by hand was way too intimidating for me. On the other hand, I'm pretty good with computers, and don't find doing stuff on a keyboard nearly as impossible as drawing with a pencil. Furthermore, I started sewing for myself because I dislike shopping, and because I wanted to save money. I quickly found that I have no patience for repeating a pattern over more than once. I always want to be making something different. That being the case, I could see that using a computer program would ultimately save me money (I was surprised to find how expensive patterns were, especially as I only used each one once), and save me shopping time. I could design whatever I wanted, in a size that would fit me, at home, inspired by fabric on hand, and only have to pick up thread and notions to complete the project. As far as I can tell, just about everything one sews needs to be pin fit, so it's a moot point whether one uses a computer printout or a pattern in an envelope. Every new pattern requires fine tuning, depending on the fabric and your personal fitting issues, doesn't it? Anyway, I think I like using the computer mostly because I am something of a computer nerd in a family of computer nerds. I like it that I can combine high-tech programs with an old fashioned craft. Being pretty much a beginner sewist, I am easily pleased with the fit and look of most of the clothes I have designed, and I am happy with simple designs in cheap(er) fabrics. It's all about having fun, right? Jennifer |
User: JMom
Member since: 05-25-2006 Total posts: 9 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-19591.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft