Hello,

I have a question. What is the difference between "My Pattern Design" and "Dress Shop"?

That requires a book length answer so I’ll keep it as simple as possible.

All new design work gets implemented and built in MPD.

Ds is then updated at some point in time after the work is completed in MPD.

MPD comes with a huge inventory of owned patterns and allows you to purchase collections or one off patterns, you can build a custom sized pattern from a catalog selecting each design element from fit to neck type/sleeve type and etc as you go then using powerful tool adjust your selections. The catalog allows the possibility of well over 100,000 different patterns. This is the designers dream program.

The measurement wizard, standard sizes and custom charts are available.

DS also has many owned patterns, with over 700 released patterns to date. You purchase patterns as collections not one by one. You can adjust the pattern’s fit/stretch/flare/ neck line and sleeve and etc. You can still design a garment using the powerful tools but this is more like a custom sized pattern catalog- select, print and make in your custom size.

The measurement wizard, standard sizes and custom charts are available.

To my mind MPD allows more freedom of design selection with immense numbers of variables and is for the more tech savvy- and DS provides a huge inventory of styles that are easy to select by name for those that don’t want the responsibility of making all those selections.

In my opinion both provide incredible fit/ ease of use/ powerful tools and more selection than you will find in any other place for the home or professional seamstress with a price point that makes it accessible to the home sewist or small business.

Kaaren

Dear Kaaren,

Thank you so much for your prompt response. I have been debating whether to purchase MPD or DS. I noticed that the measurements I created in DS automatically transfered in MPD, when I was working with MPD. I assume both platforms are compatible and communicate with each other??
Thanks again,
Sandi A.

Not really - they are separate programs but the charts for MPD 2.5 and up are compatible with DS 8 and up.
Kaaren

quote:

Thank you so much for your prompt response. I have been debating whether to purchase MPD or DS. I noticed that the measurements I created in DS automatically transfered in MPD, when I was working with MPD. I assume both platforms are compatible and communicate with each other??

They are compatible with some reservations and differences:

1. MPD can automatically import Dress Shop charts. Dress Shop does not do that with MPD charts. You can manually copy them and they will work.

2. The patterns are now compatible.

3. Dress Shop has named patterns. Things like
a sheath, shift, Pea Coat, Wind Breaker, or Top Coat. You just load the pattern you want. You can then revise it considerably. Or, you can use it with the default settings it comes with, which were designed to match what a standard department store or paper patter maker might offer.

4. MPD is more a pattern design tool. You choose features and create something that may or may not be similar to any named pattern. If you want a sheath dress, you select:

• Woman's Clothing
  
• Dress
  
• Darted
  
• Standard Neckline (includes jewel, scoop, square, sweetheart, or vee).
  
• Setin Sleeves (any length)
  
• Straight Skirt (as opposed to aline, flared, pegged, etc.)
  

After making these selections, you will have chosen a basic sheath, after which there are many other options you can use to refine it.

5. Dress Shop has about 800 of the most common named patterns in it. They are intended to be load-and-sew.

6. MPD can make many more patterns, but you have to know where you are going and what you want. It is intended to allow you to create either familiar favorites, copies of what you saw on TV last night, or something totally original that nobody else has ever made.