Every commission in Dressmaker follows the same seven steps: measure, draft, pick fabric, cut, pin and sew, decorate, deliver. Your first client, Rose, needs nothing you don't already own, so it's a safe place to learn the whole loop (Librarian Workwear).
The seven steps
Measure the client
Drag the measuring tape over the bust, waist and hips. When a client comes back, use the button under Confirm to load their saved measurements instead of measuring again.
Draft the dress in the sketchbook
Pick a bodice, sleeves and a skirt, plus extras like a collar. Some parts have smaller variants hidden underneath, marked with dots. Each choice pushes the client's requirements (professional, cute, gothic and so on) up or down.
Pick your fabric
Check your inventory first; you may already own what you need. Anything else comes from the Emporium, but stay inside the client's budget. Fabric moves the requirements a lot more than accessories do.
Cut the pieces
Lay each pattern piece on the fabric along the grain for full quality, then cut. Hover over a piece to see its name and where it goes on the mannequin. If you cut the wrong one, recycle it from the side menu.
Pin and sew
Pin the pieces onto the mannequin and sew along the line. Go slowly: rushing off the line lowers quality. Press S to slow down at corners; you can speed up on straight runs.
Add accessories
Trims, buttons, brooches and the like. They mostly change the look and only nudge the numbers, so skip them if money is tight.
Deliver
Hand the dress over. You get paid when the commission is finished, not when you accept it.
Reading the requirement bars
While you draft, each requirement shows a bar:
| Part of the bar | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Yellow line | The target you need to reach |
| Solid green | What you're guaranteed to get |
| Striped green | Where you could end up, depending on the fabric |
| Gold / red / grey | The hovered item raises it / lowers it / doesn't touch it |
If a requirement says max, stay at or under that number; you don't have to get close to it.
Settings worth turning on
- Sew Assist: makes it much easier to stay on the line and get 100% quality.
- Accessory Rotation Gizmo: gives X, Y and Z rotation handles for placing accessories at an angle.
Next
- Dressmaker tips: the mistakes that cost money and quality
- Commission walkthrough: what to draft and buy for every client
- Controller support: what input the game supports
Sources: Into Indie Games tips and walkthrough, Guidexon beginner's guide, Prodigy Gamers beginner's guide.