Pattern Software

A question we sometimes get is “What do you use to draw your patterns?” Aside from pencil and paper, there are a number of different pieces of software that we like. We don’t get paid for recommending these - we just like them, and want to share.

Affinity Designer

This is primarily what a couple of us use. It has the most features and potential uses, but there is also a learning curve. You can draw with a stylus, or create vector-based drawings for use as cutter/plotter patterns. This is on-par with Adobe Illustrator, but is not a subscription!

Available on: Windows, macOS, iPad
Cost: Medium; one-time payment. They have sales a few times a year where the price is really nice.

Affinity Photo

From the same folks as Designer. We actually use this more for photo adjustments. But, it can still be used for drawing patterns. This one does not create vector graphics, so it can’t be used for plotters/cutters (but is still fine for plain old printers). This is on-par with the universally known Adobe Photoshop.

Available on: Windows, macOS, iPad
Cost: Medium; one-time payment. They have sales a few times a year where the price is really nice.

GIMP

This software can be used to draw patterns and adjust photos, among other things. It is roughly equivalent to Adobe Photoshop.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux
Cost: FREE! Yay for Open-Source Software!

Inkscape

This can make vector-based patterns, which can be resized without loss of fidelity. They can be used on a plotter/cutter or a plain old printer.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux
Cost: FREE! Yay for Open-Source Software!

Krita

This is another one worth noting, though we haven’t used it for patterns. Jason doodles in it. Others out there use it for digital painting.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux
Cost: FREE! Yay for Open-Source Software!