Have you heard of Bootstrap Fashion? I recently discovered their website by sheer coincidence while reading through the Center for Pattern Design email newsletter. Tucked away neatly at the very bottom of the newsletter was a little piece on Bootstrap Fashion described with the words "This is pattern downloading on steroids". And indeed it is!
The Bootstrap Fashion site is chock-full with royalty-free, downloadable dressmaking patterns for $10 a piece - and wait for it......they are all custom-sized! At checkout you enter the measurements you wish to purchase the pattern for, and minutes later it is ready for you to download in your custom size. This is madness!
And there are tons of different styles available, from dresses to jackets to trousers to blouses - you name it. Below are just some of my favourites: a gorgeous coat dress, interesting knit dresses, sailor pants,....
As much as I'm raving about Bootstrap Fashion I haven't actually tried any of their patterns yet. Have you? I'm thinking I might make them my last indie pattern company to test in "A Year of Indie Patterns" but it will be a while until I get around to doing that.
I'm really intrigued to see how accurately the patterns fit with the measurements you provide. I'm already impressed that you are not only asked to submit the usual bust, waist and hip measurements, but you are also asked for torso length, belly protuberance, and, thankfully, small or full bust adjustments. So, the measurements on which the final pattern is based is more comprehensive than if only bust, waist and hip measurements were taken into account.
What do you think? Will you give them a try? And the other question is, if companies like this exist that can cheaply spit out made-to-measure patterns, how can other indie pattern companies compete?
Logging you in...
thewallinna 9p · 557 weeks ago
sparkleneedles 1p · 557 weeks ago
Dressmaking Fabrics 9p · 554 weeks ago
Hannah · 543 weeks ago
There is much talk out there about how similar they are to Lekaka so I did more investigation into the matter. Basically both companies distribute Leko patterns from Russia. Funny, lekala actually based out of Saint Petersburg, Russia but claim to work from San Francisco. Bootstrap is based in SF Bay Area and run by the former designer of this company IGIGI.com, also based in San Francisco. The designer told me that bootstrap fashion is creating a very interesting new web software that will make fashion design and pattern making very easy and affordable for everyone. I am curious about that. She also said that they improved Leko patterns and translation which took them a long time to do. They also want to bring more new and original designs created by the designer Yula (i think this is her name). She also mentioned that they are using existent Leko patterns to see what the sewer's needs are to really help and create the software that will be affordable and easy to use. And they are using the money from the sales of the patterns to pay for the making of the software.
I feel good supporting a company like that, even if I have to pay a few dollars more, especially if I get the sewing instructions that I can actually use.