garment.dev

Garment.dev is browser-based apparel pattern software for patternmakers and teams handling both design development and production preparation. It brings drafting, grading, markers, and team materials into one workspace. It is a promising fit for small groups willing to work in an invitation-only alpha; teams needing an established, independently audited service should look elsewhere.

Overview

Patterns share a workspace with construction specifications, people, moodboards, tech packs, and bills of materials. Keeping these materials together suits teams coordinating pattern work with production documentation, rather than users seeking a standalone drafting tool. The open-alpha status and invitation requirement, however, make adoption less straightforward for teams that need dependable access at scale.

Garment.dev has no public API yet, which limits its fit for teams that need programmatic connections to other systems. Its security measures include passwordless passkeys, TLS in transit, encryption at rest, and encrypted, write-once backups. Imported files are parsed in sandboxed WebAssembly workers with published resource limits. Those protections are useful, but the company does not hold SOC 2, ISO 27001, or another audit report, a meaningful caveat for organizations with formal assurance requirements.

Key features

Pattern tools cover pen and trace editing, linked edits, darts, pleats, fullness, seam walking, seam allowance, and photo digitization. That breadth supports drafting and refinement, while X/Y grading rules and validation reports help manage size development. Marker creation accounts for orientation, selvedge, and nap, which matters when fabric direction or finish constrains layouts.

The software imports and exports DXF-AAMA/ASTM, an interchange format used by Gerber AccuMark, CLO3D, Optitex, and StyleCAD. Garment Development says it checks releases against 34 production files from major CAD systems. That is a relevant compatibility measure for CAD handoffs, though it is not a substitute for an audit report or for confirming a particular workflow fits a team's requirements.

Teams can use roles, shared boards, live editing, follow mode, and comments; read-only mobile review lets others review work without editing it. This makes the workspace more suitable for collaborative teams than for patternmakers who only need individual drafting.

Pricing

Garment.dev is freemium, with no free trial. Hobby costs nothing and allows 2 patterns, 1 tech pack, 1 moodboard, 1 marker, 720p export, 14 days of history, 50 checkpoints, and 1 editor. Unlimited viewers and commenters make it a reasonable way for one editor to share early work, but its small library, single marker, and lower-resolution exports constrain regular production use.

Individual costs $16.20 a month, billed for 12 months. It raises the caps to 8 patterns, 8 tech packs, 3 moodboards, and 3 markers, and adds full-resolution export, private patterns, Arch 36×48 printing, 30 days of history, and 100 checkpoints. It suits an independent patternmaker who needs private work and better output, but the capped library and marker count are limiting for broader production.

Production costs $24.30 a month, billed for 12 months. It provides an unlimited library, moodboards, and markers, plus approved snapshots, auto-nest, every plotter size, unlimited history, 500 checkpoints, and up to 4 editors. This is the strongest fit for a small production team that needs more capacity and auto-nesting; teams needing more editors should consider Studio.

Studio costs $45 a month, billed yearly, with a two-person minimum, and is sold by conversation. It adds a Studio-owned library, named roles and approvals, per-pattern permissions, and a team audit. The added controls suit teams managing shared ownership and approvals, but the minimum commitment makes it a poor match for solo users.

Platforms

Garment.dev runs in a browser, so teams can use it without choosing among desktop operating systems. Mobile access is for read-only review, not editing.

Who it's for

Garment.dev is best for patternmakers and small apparel teams that want drafting, grading, marker work, tech packs, and collaboration together, and can accept an invitation-only alpha. It is less suitable for organizations requiring an audit report, a public API, or access beyond Studio's four-editor limit.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Pattern, grading, marker, and production-document workflows share one workspace, reducing the need to split those activities across separate tools.
• Pros: DXF-AAMA/ASTM import and export support CAD handoffs, with release checks against 34 production files from major CAD systems.
• Pros: Shared boards, live editing, roles, comments, and read-only mobile review support collaboration without giving every reviewer editing access.
• Cons: Invitation-only alpha access makes it harder to adopt as a routine team system.
• Cons: No public API and no SOC 2, ISO 27001, or other audit report may rule it out for integrated or compliance-sensitive operations.
• Cons: Hobby's 2-pattern cap and 720p export are restrictive, while Individual still limits patterns and markers.

Alternatives

Choose Valentina if free software and Linux, macOS, or Windows support matter more than a browser-based team workspace; its free plan provides source code, historical versions, and community support, but no current binaries, manual, or developer support.

Seamly2D is a free, open-source alternative for Linux, macOS, and Windows users who want a desktop option.

PatternMaker is a Windows alternative for users who want a free viewer for pre-made patterns and three custom-fit patterns, with a paid Deluxe Editor also offered.

Consider Browzwear VStitcher as another apparel software option.

Marvelous Designer is another paid option, with a personal monthly subscription and a free trial.

CLO 3D is another paid option, with a free trial and plans for students, individuals, and enterprises.

PAD System is an alternative for users seeking a paid pattern-design system with an annual Basic plan.

StyleCAD PDS is another paid option with PDS, grading, marking, and output tools.

Browse Fashion Design Software for more options in the category.

Verdict

Garment.dev is a strong candidate for patternmakers and small teams who want pattern development, grading, markers, and collaboration in one browser workspace. Its production-oriented toolset and DXF-AAMA/ASTM support are the main reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if invitation-only alpha access, the lack of an audit report, or the absence of a public API conflicts with your operational needs.