PatternMaker Changing Design in Nigeria

“I started making clothes as a child in primary school”, says Eunice. “I have always made clothes. I started getting trained as a university undergraduate in Nigeria by working for a relative who is a fashion designer.” After graduating from school Eunice went to the UK for a few years. “I got interested in pattern making and design while there and got private training from an industry-employed pattern maker.”

“I stumbled into training,” explains Eunice. “I found myself constantly training and retraining workers who would leave almost immediately because they found themselves skilled enough to get higher pay from other designers. I decided I might as well get paid for training — that is what made me set up a training school [in Lagos].”

At Ginani Fashion Training School, Eunice says “We have introduced quite a few designers to PatternMaker software. They are able to use it to generate patterns in minimum time. They like the fit of our pattern macros. They can now work from a generated pattern and reduce their production time too. It also makes them more efficient and their work less laborious.”

By using PatternMaker for training, Eunice sees long-term benefits. “I basically have to teach people how the tools work. They are already pattern makers after going through our training. They now have to just learn to use the tools like they would their pencils, ruler and curve sets. The computer screen is the paper.”

The low cost of entry is another factor PatternMaker is taught. “My students start from the free version and then go online to the PatternMaker website to purchase the full version.”

Ginani is also the name of Eunice’s line of fashion products. According to Eunice, software-based design has many advantages. “In producing garments, we are able to create macros of our most common designs. Once these designs are in macro form, we can simply put in client measurements, patterns are out, the fit is right and the style is right. We can assemble in minimum time. This way we are able to reduce production time, standardize product and design specification and reduce cost and improve efficiency.”

Before PatternMaker, Eunice was using a software called Fittingly Sew from the UK. Eunice claims that “Pattern maker is much more flexible. It allows you to do your thing. You can create your own basic blocks, build in the fit you want. This way you can control the look and fit of your garments from the ground up.”

Building your own basic blocks are important to Eunice. “I want to see the results I want at the finished end. With PatternMaker, I can create my blocks, create my own macros. I can use my own measurement system. It’s amazing how in PatternMaker you can basically use any measurement system.”

According to Eunice, the benefits don’t stop there. “Once our patterns are in macrogen format, they are downloadable as applications. It’s much easier to distribute our macros than paper patterns.”

Additionally, says Eunice, “Our designers can download and install our patterns. In no time they are experts in using the patterns. Some of them also move on to creating their own patterns in PatternMaker. They are able to experience the efficiency of Patternmaker CAD for themselves. Its quite exciting for them. It takes the work out of PatternMaking. Its difficult for them to go back to manual pattern making.”

Computer technology has definitely given Eunice an advantage in business. “With PatternMaker my business was able to grow. I didn’t have to do the basis activities because they are already programmed using PatternMaker. I only need to see that people are doing what they should do.”