I have created this topic for people to gather thoughts and input on what should be included in a new software tool like the one mentioned in recent discussion on other threads. I will post links to those other discussions here. The “french curve” tool or specific tools used in specific patternmaking systems could be provided as an overlay on the screen so that a user could draw a new pattern against the reference.
I see this as an automated way to “lay the tool against the screen”. I invite discussion here, please.
I’m thinking that @Krolich’s method used as described in her pdf wouldn’t be a bad tool if one could think how to do it automatically and doesn’t necessitate a bunch of new nodes and lines, but it will need some practicing and thinking about to get the technique down pat before evening thinking of any coding.
If it’s going to be an overlay tool, then it could be called up like any other picture but it will have to scale to 100% of actual size of the pattern. Seems a bit dicey to me to get both the pattern and the image properly scaled.
I have no problems with armholes and sleeves, with Seamly2d. I use a curve tool when I draw the pattern, too. But with Seamly2d it is possible to calculate the length and the curve with the tools that are now in the program.
Thank you very much, @marydonata55, for your feedback. I don’t make many tailored articles for any industry, just for my family, but my problems have never been with fitting in curves, but more with my experience with pattern making I do so get things a bit out sometimes
I suggest to see my video on YouTube about curves. It is in Italian, but you can watch it without my voice. @luca_lavore is Italian, so he can watch and understand it.
https://youtu.be/nnXMN5a5Whs
I watched @marydonata55 videos, very helpful for italian speakers.
I think the point is what pattern system we use, and the complexity of it; the system we use in our atelier had refinements for over 20 years and it is very demanding in terms of precision. Especially when we have to work with very fine wool fabrics, to have perfect cutted pieces is very important because that fabrics can’t be “modified” by ironing (as heavier wool could).
We haven’t tested yet our seamly model by cutting and sewing, so my doubts are just theoretical.
I can imagine that one wouldn’t want to cut directly onto expensive fabric if one isn’t certain that the pattern is correct. I can only suggest, again, that one should create and print the pattern and perhaps place it over a previous pattern and check it that way for correctness. Once you can trust that the paper pattern measures correctly, then one can trust that future patterns will also be correct.
I picture a French curve tool a different way. First part of the tool would be to “aquire” a curve from an existing pattern which can then be stored in a library. Second part of the tool would be the ability to “apply” a stored curve to another section of a pattern whether it would be between a start and end point or just to true up a rough existing curve without having to mess with control points at all.
As an aside, but in conjunction with a French curve tool, there should be several automation tools one could apply to curves to smooth them out - again without having to mess with the control points. For ex: One option could be to automatically apply a 90 deg angle from an adjacent seam line at the endpoints. In other words the program desperately needs tools to streamline inputting patterns WITHOUT having to open a dialog box all the time and typing in numbers or selecting from a drop down box.
Hi kmf,
The curve tool would indeed be a great help,
But I wonder if it would be possible to be able to join different parts in drawing mode (for example joining the back and front legs of a pant to make a legging)
and also to copy a piece of pattern to make a new pattern piece in the same file and make some changes (for example a different neck or collar);
May be it is possible yet and it is because I did not find how to do it.
Thank you
Jeanne
@Douglas - You’re describing a “Lesbian” rule, which behaves differently than a “French” curve. To continue discussion of a tool to mimic a Lesbian rule please start a new thread… Thanks for understanding!
Please note that there is an issue description recently opened on GITHUB to address the need for this tool. Ideas and descriptions about how the manual tools are welcome on this thread so they can be considered when the new tool is created.
I do so get things a bit out sometimes 
