A new resource for aspiring lingerie designers

If you’re interested in creating your own lingerie as a hobbyist or designer, there’s a fantastic new “virtual sewing circle” designed to support you. BurdaStyle’s website supports “do-it-yourself style,” posting user-submitted sewing patterns, how-to articles and videos, and entire collections of patterns for users to discuss and use in their own work. All of the content is user-generated, creating a community of like-minded pattern-cutters and designers who can trade tips and support each other.

BurdaStyle’s community includes a wide variety of garmets, and current articles include everything from “How to insert an invisible zipper” and a pattern for a stylish winter coat. All patterns are released on an “open source” Creative Commons license, meaning designers can use the patterns, modify them, and even create limited-edition collections to sell through BurdaStyle’s partner, Etsy. BurdaStyle has “seeded” the pattern database with their own patterns, and encourage readers to adapt these patterns and re-submit them for continuous innovation.

For small designers looking for experience and exposure, BurdaStyle really is fantastic — they support designers at every stage, from a glossary of sewing terms to community forums and their how-to database. Their partnership with the tremendously-popular Etsy gives designers a built-in distribution channel for their collection, perfect for developing their work and still bringing in income. There’s only one drawback we can see — BurdaStyle’s unified sizing scheme doesn’t currently include bra sizes — perhaps something popular support could change.

We know there are quite a few aspiring designers amongst our readers, so go and check out this site! If you start finding or contributing lingerie patterns, please do let us know!