Why We Built an App for Sewing Pattern Digitzing

We're Maren and Rasmus. Maren studies fashion design, Rasmus studies service design, both at HTW Berlin. Before PatternScan Pro existed, there was "Nähen mit Maren," our YouTube channel where we published tutorials and sewing patterns. That channel was where it all started.

At some point, we began selling our own sewing patterns. And we kept getting stuck at the same step  not the designing, but the digitizing. That's what really slowed Maren down.

A lot of work for something that's already done

Maren prefers to design on paper or directly on the dress form. The result looks good, fits well, and is finished. In theory. Because before it becomes a file that can be shared, that you can open in CLO3D or Illustrator, the real work begins: take a photo, correct the perspective, adjust the measurements, trace everything by hand.

That can take a lot of time, especially with multiple patterns. And that time doesn't go into the design, the creativity, or the testing. It goes into repetitive work that adds no real value.

Paper was never the problem

There's a current trend toward AI-generated patterns and standard designs made on a computer. We see it differently. Draping, working with fabric and paper — that's where different ideas emerge compared to working on a screen. That has a value software can't replace.

One click instead of tedious manual work

So we started closing exactly that gap. PatternScan Pro digitizes sewing patterns automatically. All you need is a photo of your paper or muslin pattern. The app detects the contours, corrects distortions, and scales everything to the correct measurements. After that, you can continue working directly in CLO3D, Illustrator, Grafis, or any other program.

No tracing. No manual perspective correction. No special equipment needed. A simple and affordable solution.

Work analog, use digital

Behind PatternScan Pro is an idea that goes beyond the app itself: we want paper-based workflows to be efficient again. We want draping, designing, and experimenting to take center stage — without hours of tedious screen work waiting afterward.

It's not about replacing analog with digital. It's about bringing both together. The creative work happens at the table, on the dress form, with your hands. The app takes care of the rest.

On one hand, to make designers' work easier. On the other, to support pattern creators who would otherwise be limited to adapting standard patterns in CAD for economic reasons — even though they want to do more.

What's next

We're currently working on making PatternScan Pro better and faster. More accurate detection, more stable results, more editing options. What drives us is the belief that craft and technology don't have to be opposites.

If you have questions or want to try PatternScan Pro, feel free to write us at mail@patternscan-pro.com.