As a designer, it is important to me to find a perfect balance between aesthetics, fit and the possibility of sustainability in my creations.

I work with a pattern-making program called "Grafis," which is used both in industry and in small businesses like mine. This program allows me to transform an idea into a pattern using mathematics, curves, and dependencies. The basis of every pattern is a carefully thought-out construction.

My aim with every pattern is that it conveys something new or demonstrates a special sewing technique that offers you, the customer, added value. I want my patterns to be easy to understand and for you to work with. Therefore, I ensure that there is a clear distinction between the individual sizes, for example, by using different colors or line sequences.

The instructions for my sewing patterns are another important aspect of my work. I place great value on ensuring they are professionally and attractively designed. To guarantee this, the founder herself creates the instructions. As a trained graphic designer, she ensures that the instructions are clearly structured and visually appealing.

My goal is to take you, the customer, on a kind of "journey" through each project. I want you to be able to follow every step of the instructions and feel well supported. This approach helps create a positive sewing experience and encourages you to further engage in the world of fashion and design.

In today's world, where sustainability and environmental awareness play an increasingly important role, the topic of sustainable sewing patterns is also gaining in significance. These patterns allow you to create durable, high-quality clothing while simultaneously contributing to your sustainability goals.

To meet certain standards, sustainable sewing patterns must be meticulously constructed. This means that the patterns are precise and exactly tailored to the respective size to ensure perfectly fitting garments. Using such patterns can extend the lifespan of the manufactured clothing, which in turn benefits the environment.

The graphic design also plays a crucial role in sustainable sewing patterns. They should be designed so that the end customer can work with them easily. A clear presentation of the different sizes, appealing and understandable instructions, and a clear structure are of great importance here. This allows the customer to make their clothing independently and efficiently, thus minimizing the likelihood of errors and waste.

Another aspect that promotes the sustainability of sewing patterns is the possibility of transforming old clothing into new fashion through upcycling. With our patterns, you can create new, individual, and fashionable garments from existing materials. This not only helps conserve resources but also allows you to express your personal style while simultaneously improving your sustainability record.

Overall, sustainable sewing patterns are an excellent way to create environmentally conscious fashion that is both high-quality and durable. Through clean construction, appealing graphic design, and the possibility of upcycling, you make a valuable contribution to the environment and the promotion of a sustainable lifestyle.

Good, sustainable sewing patterns are especially important today for creating environmentally conscious fashion and conserving resources. But how can you actually tell if a sewing pattern is sustainable and high-quality? It's not stated on the label on the cover, and of course, there's a huge range of standards.

Here are some criteria that can help you identify good sustainable sewing patterns:

1. Clean construction: As described above, a good, sustainable pattern is characterized by clean, precise, and professional construction. The patterns should be tailored to the respective size and ensure a good fit. Precise construction contributes to the longevity of the garments produced, thus conserving resources.
2. Clear and easy-to-understand instructions: Another characteristic of good sustainable sewing patterns is easily understandable and clearly structured instructions. These should explain step by step how to sew the garment, without omitting any important information. Clear and understandable instructions make sewing easier and minimize the likelihood of errors and waste.
3. Adaptability and versatility: Good sustainable sewing patterns offer a certain degree of flexibility and can be adapted to different fabrics and materials. This allows you to use existing fabrics or recycled materials, thus conserving resources.
4. Upcycling friendliness: A good sustainable sewing pattern should also be suitable for upcycling projects. This means it should be possible to create new, individual fashion items from old clothes or textiles. This extends the lifespan of materials and reduces resource consumption.

These criteria will help you better assess whether choosing a pattern and designer will lead to a successful project. Pay attention to the designer's presentation, check if there are any examples of finished products available, and don't hesitate to question their pricing and seek feedback.

No-waste sewing patterns, also known as zero-waste sewing patterns, are a sustainable and innovative method in the fashion industry for minimizing fabric and material waste. The pattern creation process focuses on generating as little or no waste as possible. No-waste sewing patterns are therefore an important step towards environmentally friendly and resource-conserving textile production.

1. Efficient use of materials: No Waste sewing patterns are designed to make optimal use of fabrics and materials. The individual pattern pieces are arranged so that they fit closely together, resulting in little to no fabric waste. This leads to more efficient use of resources and reduces the fashion industry's ecological footprint.
2. Creative Design: To develop a zero-waste sewing pattern, designers and pattern makers must think creatively and innovatively. The patterns are often unconventional and require a rethinking of garment construction. This approach not only promotes environmental protection but also fosters the creation of new, unique designs.
3. Reducing textile waste: Using zero-waste patterns can reduce textile waste. Since the fashion industry generates large quantities of fabric scraps, reducing waste helps to lessen the industry's environmental impact and promotes a more responsible use of resources.
4. Promoting sustainable consumption: No Waste sewing patterns support more sustainable consumption by helping to reduce resource waste. This approach encourages people to think more consciously about the environmental impact of their clothing and to make responsible choices accordingly.
5. Versatility and adaptability: No-waste sewing patterns are often versatile and adaptable. They can be used for various types of fabric and materials, and allow for the sensible and efficient use of existing fabrics or recycled materials.

Overall, no-waste sewing patterns offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pattern making. They reduce fabric waste, encourage creative designs, and contribute to the responsible use of resources. By using no-waste sewing patterns, everyone can contribute to reducing textile waste and supporting a more sustainable fashion industry.

Birgitta Helmersson from Sweden is a pioneer in this field - be sure to check her out.

We too would like to offer zero waste sewing patterns for our 51Nord collection in the future and hope for customers who will join us in this different way of sewing fashion.

As a self-employed pattern maker, I specialize in creating sewing patterns and am aware of the responsibility I have towards my environment, my network, and the entire industry. Therefore, I would like to explain my efforts in the areas of sustainability and fair wages and show how I am personally committed to a better future.

My work as a pattern maker encompasses various aspects of pattern making, including design, pattern direction, pattern drawing, and production planning. I am aware that my work is far more than simply scribbling on paper, and therefore I am committed to fair pay and working conditions for myself and for others I work with.

In the area of ​​sustainability, I strive to use environmentally friendly materials and technologies that reduce my ecological footprint. This includes using recycled paper for my patterns and employing energy-efficient equipment in my work environment. Furthermore, I place great importance on minimizing waste and using resources efficiently.

To continuously expand my knowledge and skills, I invest in expertise, materials, and equipment. This allows me not only to promote my personal development but also to improve the quality of my work and the innovative strength of my offerings.

I actively seek exchange and collaboration with other freelancers, companies, and organizations that share similar values ​​and are committed to sustainability and fair wages. Through the exchange of best practices and joint projects, I aim to drive positive change in the pattern-making industry.

Overall, I am proud to prioritize sustainability and fair wages in my work as an individual. I am convinced that these values ​​are not only important for me and my clients, but also contribute to creating a sustainable and responsible industry.

All of this contributes to the value of the sewing patterns from schwalbenliebe, and to give you a little insight, we have listed the main areas of a pattern maker.

I am delighted that more and more labels and small businesses are implementing sustainable design processes to produce garments that waste fewer resources and bring lasting joy to the customer. I believe it is very important that designers take responsibility for their work and the environment.

Unfortunately, the number of professionally designed and well-thought-out sewing patterns is not always commensurate with the quality of the products. This often leads to customer frustration, sample garments ending up in the trash, and further environmental pollution.

Another problem caused by poor sewing patterns is a decrease in customers' willingness to pay for them. When customers are frustrated due to bad experiences with sewing patterns, they are less inclined to pay for new ones. Many customers instead search for free patterns online or resort to using photocopied patterns.

This is a problem for designers who not only value their work but also want to be paid fairly for it. It's important for designers to understand that the quality of their patterns is crucial to their business success. Because when customers have positive experiences with patterns, they are willing to pay for new ones and even recommend them to others.

I believe that designers have the opportunity to lead the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future. By using sustainable fabrics, recycling fabric scraps, and striving for less material usage, they can help minimize the fashion industry's environmental impact. This applies even at the beginning of the supply chain – as pattern makers and designers.

But it's not just designers who have a responsibility; customers do too. I urge them to be willing to pay for quality and to recognize that a well-constructed pattern is fundamental to a durable, high-quality finished product. Because we all have a responsibility to contribute to a sustainable fashion industry.

Overall, I believe it's important for everyone involved in the fashion industry to work together to create a more sustainable future. By consciously selecting materials and carefully executing designs, designers can contribute to creating garments that not only look beautiful but also protect the environment. And they can make a significant impact by choosing to sew their own clothes.

I would like to sincerely thank you for encouraging me to take a critical look at my ideas, products, and their implementation. I believe that constructive criticism is an important part of the improvement process and motivates me to make a small contribution to a more sustainable fashion industry.

My efforts towards sustainability are an ongoing process in which I strive to improve and reduce my ecological footprint. I work hard to make my products and processes more sustainable and am proud to be part of the fashion revolution.

Through my work and commitment to sustainability, I hope to make a difference in the DIY industry. And I am grateful for your support and assistance on this journey.

I encourage you to continue giving me feedback and helping me to constantly improve. Only together can we make a difference and lead the fashion industry into a more sustainable future. Thank you again for joining me on this journey and being a part of the fashion revolution.