Chapter 01 · Getting started

Dressmaker beginner guide

Your first dress, one workshop task at a time.

The publisher describes a making loop that starts with fabric and ends with a customer’s dress. Use these notes alongside the game’s tutorial.

From fabric to finish

  1. 01

    Read the commission

    Note the client’s request before choosing a design. Keep the in-game brief nearby while making decisions.

  2. 02

    Choose your fabric

    The publisher lists cotton, linen, wool, silk and velvet. Pick a material for your design; follow the game’s own labels for its properties.

  3. 03

    Plan in the sketchbook

    Use the sketchbook to work on the dress design and colour, with fabric samples and appliqué.

  4. 04

    Arrange and cut

    Place the pattern pieces, then cut them from the fabric. Look at the preview before committing to the arrangement.

  5. 05

    Preview on the mannequin

    Use the mannequin to look at the cut pieces together. Take a moment to check the whole design.

  6. 06

    Sew the pieces together

    The sewing machine joins the pieces into a garment. Use the game’s tutorial for the current controls.

  7. 07

    Deliver the dress

    Hand the completed dress to the customer for reputation and coin. Read their response before starting the next commission.

Source: Free Lives press kit ↗ · checked 30 September 2026

Your workshop checklist

A place to track your own session. These ticks are saved in this browser and don’t change your game save.

First dress checklist

Saved only on this device.

Before the next dress

Give yourself a moment to inspect the result and the customer’s response. For the next commission, start with its own brief rather than assuming the same choices will fit.

Prefer to make your own design? The Steam description also lists selling pre-made dresses in the shop window.

Source: Dressmaker on Steam ↗ · checked 30 September 2026

Explore the workshop →