To finish a dress in Dressmaker, measure the client, draft the design, choose fabric, cut every required piece, pin and sew the pieces, then deliver the completed dress. You are paid when the commission is finished, not when you accept it.
Finish the commission step by step
- Measure the client. Drag the tape over bust, waist and hips. For a returning client, use the saved measurements option under Confirm.
- Draft in the sketchbook. Choose a bodice, sleeves and skirt. Read the client's requirements, including any marked max.
- Choose fabric and cut the pattern pieces. Check your inventory before buying. Place pieces along the grain to protect quality.
- Pin and sew. Put the cut pieces on the mannequin and follow the sewing line. Slow down at corners; Sew Assist in Settings can help.
- Add required accessories, then deliver. A brooch, trim or lace may be part of a particular commission. Check the requirement bars again before handing over the dress.
If the dress will not finish
- A piece is missing: check the cut pieces in your inventory and pin all required parts before sewing.
- A sewn piece will not come off: remove anything pinned on top of it first.
- The client rejects a completed dress: check requirements marked max. Filling those bars past their limit fails the commission; see commission rejected.
- Lace is not counting: ordinary trim and lace trim are different items. See the lace guide.
- Quality is low: turn on Sew Assist, slow down at corners and cut on the grain. See quality tips.
For a concrete first dress, follow Rose's Librarian Workwear commission. The full commission walkthrough covers later clients.
Sources: Into Indie Games walkthrough, Guidexon beginner's guide.