1. Meet the customer
Every Dressmaker day starts with a commission card: occasion, style preference, and budget. Read the tags before you touch the sketchbook. A “smart but relaxed” library look is not the same brief as an eye-catching fundraiser gown.
2. Design in the sketchbook
Choose bodice, sleeves, skirt, and collar while watching style bars such as Professional, Cute, Elegant, or Glamour. Leave the sketchbook only when those bars clear the request. Clickable component names in newer Steam builds help identify loose panels before fabric assignment.
3. Shop for fabric
At the Emporium, filter bolts by the tags your commission needs, then buy by the metre. Cotton and linen cover daytime work; silk and velvet belong to evening briefs. Leave money for buttons, bows, or lace.
4. Cut on the grain
Lay each pattern piece on the bolt and rotate until the grain arrow sits horizontally. A green outline means the cut is safe. Missing that confirmation caps quality no matter how perfect your sewing looks later.
5. Sew the dress
Follow the dotted seam line. Default prompts use Space to sew, A/D to rotate, and W/S for speed. Pause before sharp corners, then resume. Enable Sewing Assist in settings if steering feels unstable.
6. Decorate, photograph, deliver
Pin pieces on the mannequin, add trim, take the studio shot when the commission expects it, and hand the garment over. Scoring weighs quality, style match, and budget discipline.
Next reads
- Walkthrough for chapter-style routes
- Grain line tip for the #1 beginner failure
- All tips for focused mechanic guides