Dressmaker has a few things the game doesn’t explain very well. And if you don’t understand those things very well, then you can’t create a 100% quality product. I learned some of these tricks after making mistakes, while others came from players sharing what they found.
These Dressmaker beginner guide tips can help you save fabric and money, and make commissions a lot less frustrating.
Turn On Sewing Assist for 100% Quality
If you are not getting 100% quality on a dress, then open the settings and turn on Sewing Assist.
It will make sewing much easier, but you still have to slow down around corners. You can press S a few times while going around the corners to reach 100% quality on a dress.
If you go too fast, you can miss the sewing line.
This can also help you to unlock the 99 Problems But A Stitch Aint One achievement, which requires you to make a dress with 100% quality.
Watch Out for “Max” Requirements
Some commission requirements have “max” next to the number.
This means you need to stay below that number, not reach it.
For example, if the requirement says max 10, your value needs to be 10 or lower. You don’t need to get close to 10. Sometimes, 0 can be also fine.
Don’t Try to Fix Every Stat While Drafting
You don’t have to get every requirement perfect when you’re making the first design.
The fabric has a big effect on the final values, so you can fix some requirements later by choosing the right fabric.
Accessories usually have a smaller effect on the numbers, so don’t spend too much time trying to fix everything with them during drafting.
What the Colored Bars Mean
The bars around the requirements can be a little confusing when you first start playing. Here’s what each one means:
- Yellow line: The target you need to reach.
- Dark green: The value you will definitely get.
- Striped green: Your final value can fall anywhere in this range, depending on how much fabric you use.
- Gold: Increases the selected requirement.
- Red: Decreases the selected requirement.
- Grey: Does not affect that requirement.
Also, check the negative values before choosing your materials. Some patterns, fabrics, and accessories can lower certain stats instead of increasing them.
Use Filters Instead of Scrolling Forever
Once you have unlocked a lot of patterns, fabrics, and accessories, finding one item can take forever if you scroll through the whole list.
To find the products easily, use the filters.
For patterns, you can filter by category. For example, if you choose sleeve, then it can narrow the results down to styles such as Gothic, Romantic, and others.
The same thing works with your bought fabrics and accessories. Check these filters before buying something for a commission because you might already have it.
The worst thing about the filters is that they can reset after some actions. If you see everything again on a single page, use the filters.
Star the Fabrics You Use
When you add a fabric or accessory to the design page, it gets starred and moves to the top of the list.
You can also drag fabrics onto the design page to keep them there.
This is handy when you’re using several fabrics for one dress. You won’t have to keep searching through the whole inventory every time.
Check the Pattern Piece Name Before Cutting
Some pattern pieces look very similar, especially when you’re working with a more complicated dress.
You can hover over a piece on the cutting board or mannequin to see its name.
For example, you may see:
- Bodice front
- Bodice front left
- Bodice front right
- Sleeves
- Skirt pieces
The names also tell you where each piece belongs.
Your sketch colors can help too. If you used blue for the front and grey for the sides, check the piece name before cutting so you don’t accidentally use the wrong fabric.
Left and Right Can Be Confusing
This one caught me off guard too.
The left and right sides can look reversed because you’re looking at the mannequin from the front. The mannequin’s left can appear as the right side from where you’re standing.
So if you’re matching two different fabrics to the left and right sides, check the piece name instead of trusting what you see on screen.
You Don’t Have to Straighten Every Pattern
Straightening pattern pieces isn’t always necessary.
If you leave them at their current angle, you can sometimes fit more pieces onto the fabric and waste less material.
The downside is that it can reduce your quality.
If you’re trying to save fabric this way, getting 100% sewing quality can help make up for it.
Recycle a Pattern If You Cut the Wrong One
Made a mistake while cutting?
Don’t throw the whole thing away.
You can recycle the cut pattern. Drag the cut piece from the side menu, and the recycle option will appear.
This is useful if you picked the wrong fabric or realized that you cut the wrong piece.
Be Careful When Un-Sewing
Un-sewing a piece can cause another problem because you may have to sew it again afterward.
Also, if the game doesn’t let you un-sew something, check the dress for another item sitting on top of it.
A pinned piece can block the one underneath it.
Load Saved Character Measurements
You don’t need to measure the same character from scratch every time.
When you’re taking measurements, use the button under the Confirm button to load their existing measurements.
This can save a lot of time when the same character comes back for another dress.
Turn On Accessory Rotation Gizmo
Open the settings and turn on Accessory Rotation Gizmo if you want more control over decorations.
It gives you X, Y, and Z rotation controls for accessories.
This is useful when the normal rotation isn’t enough, and you want to place something at a specific angle.
Use Burlac When You’re Low on Money
Burlac is free and available from the start.
It’s a good option when you need to make an off-rack dress but don’t want to spend money on fabric.
You can also use it to make some money early in the game.
Also, Burlac works well for commissions that require an “uncomfortable” dress.
Make Off-Rack Dresses for Extra Money
Commissions aren’t your only way to make money in this game.
You can make off-rack dresses and sell them.
This is also a decent way to get some use out of materials you bought by mistake. If you have extra fabric in your inventory, make a dress with it and sell it.
You can get some of your money back and may even make a little extra.
Check Your Money After Finishing a Commission
One player said that they got the payment after finishing the dress, rather than when starting the commission. They mentioned a vampire lady commission that paid 700 while they had 600 before completing it.
So if you don’t see the money right away, finish the commission and check your balance again.
Give Dresses to Characters
Giving a character a dress can increase your relationship/level with them.
Higher levels can give you access to new patterns for your sketches.
So if you’re trying to unlock more designs, don’t ignore the option to give characters dresses.
Don’t Skip the Pigeon Orders
The pigeon can be unlocked early in the game, and it can also bring you special orders.
These orders can let you invite certain characters to your store and make a dress for them.
There is also an achievement tied to these orders:
Birds of a Feather, Frock Together — Complete all orders received through the pigeon.
If you’re going for all Dressmaker achievements, you’ll want to complete these orders.
Change the Mannequin Display
You can change the mannequin display to make your finished dress look better.
The game lets you change things such as:
- Mannequin colour
- Background
- Lighting
This is very handy when you’re taking screenshots of your dresses.
Check the Smaller Pattern Options
Some of the four main pattern parts have smaller versions underneath them. These are shown with dots.
They can be easy to miss when you’re first learning the drafting system, so check underneath the main options when you’re building a design.
Lace Trim and Regular Trim Are Different
Be careful when a commission asks for lace trim. The game treats TRIM and LACE TRIM as two different item types.
So, if the commission requires lace trim, buying regular trim won’t increase the requirement, even if the trim looks like lace.
If the progress bar isn’t moving after adding a trim, check its item type or filter before buying another one. Make sure it is actually tagged as LACE TRIM.
Check Your Inventory Before Buying Materials
Before buying fabric or accessories for a commission, look through your inventory first.
Use the filters if you have a lot of items.
You may already have the exact material you need, and buying another one just wastes money.
This gets more important later when your inventory starts filling up.
Learn the Pattern Names
Pattern names can save you from a lot of mistakes.
If you’re not sure which piece you’re looking at, hover over it to see its name before cutting it. This is useful and better than guessing and ending up with the wrong piece.
One More 100% Quality Tip
You can save some fabric by placing the pattern pieces closer together instead of leaving a lot of empty space between them.
Just keep an eye on your quality. If the tighter layout lowers it, turn on Sewing Assist and sew carefully. This lets you use less fabric while still getting 100% quality.
