Start with the base, then refine
Choose the model, measurement profile, and construction mode first. Leave neckline, waist, and detail sliders for the moment when the base is already close to your goal.
Getting started
How to start a pattern
The basic workflow is simple: choose a model, assign a measurement profile, set the construction mode and style preset, review the preview, then save the PDF.
1. Choose a model from the gallery
Start with the model closest to what you want to sew. Do not force an oversized block into a fitted garment if a better starting shape already exists.
2. Create a measurement profile
Save body measurements in a separate profile for yourself or for a client. You can reuse the same profile in future projects without entering the numbers again.
3. Choose a construction mode
The mode sets the level of fit control. Forma is the safest starting point for simpler and looser work, Misura adds more personalization, and Precisa is best for projects that truly need higher precision.
- For a first test, choose a simple garment such as a T-shirt or skirt and observe how the preview reacts to a few clear changes.
- If the shape starts drifting too far, return to a preset first and then make smaller manual adjustments.
Preview and PDF
When MTC are charged
Preview and editing are free. MTC are charged only when you save a finished PDF for archive and download.
Profiles keep work organized
Instead of keeping measurements on paper, you store them in profiles. That speeds up repeat work and reduces mistakes when sewing for more than one person.
Preview is for decisions
Use the screen to check proportion, line, and range of change. It is the right place to compare options without spending fabric or MTC.
Archive protects saved versions
Once a PDF is saved, it stays in your archive. You can return later and download it again without paying for the same file twice.
- One saved version includes the full format bundle: A4, Letter, A0, and projector files.
- If you want to revisit an older PDF after sewing, use the archive instead of generating the same version again.
- Your plan determines how many MTC you receive each month, but the core rule never changes: preview is always free, and credits are spent only when you save a PDF.
Choosing the model
How to choose the right model
Choose the model with both fabric and end use in mind. The more structured the fabric and the closer the fit, the more important the right starting block becomes.
Relaxed models for knits and everyday sewing
T-shirts, sweatshirts, and simpler dresses work well with softer fabrics. They are a good starting point for first projects and quick proportion tests.
Structured models for stable fabrics
Blazers, trench coats, and other shaped garments need a better-matched starting block. In these projects, fabric will not hide the wrong decision for long.
Negative-ease models for lingerie and close fit
Bralettes, bodysuits, and some lingerie styles follow different rules from outerwear. Fabric stretch and controlled tension matter more here than in a woven jacket.
- Choose the starting block closest to the intended silhouette, then adjust neckline, length, and shaping.
- If your project uses stable fabric and closer fit, spend more attention on both the model and the construction mode.
Work scenarios
Typical ways to work in Metrico
Metrico works both for fast first drafts and for revisions after a fitting. The structure stays the same: base, decisions, preview, PDF.
Quick project from scratch
Load a profile, choose a model, set the mode, and review the preview. This is the fastest path from idea to first printable version.
Corrections after a toile or fitting
After a test garment, return to the project and transfer only the adjustments that matter. You refine the draft instead of redrawing everything.
Several sizes or several profiles
If you are sewing a style for more than one person or repeating it across sizes, switch profiles and save the next version. It is faster and easier to track than handwritten notes.
- Do not try to turn a loose starting block into an extreme close-fit garment with sliders alone. A better base is usually faster and safer.
Construction modes
How to choose Forma, Misura, or Precisa
The construction mode sets the level of fit control and the amount of figure-specific information used by the draft. A higher mode is not automatically better - it only helps when the project truly needs it.
Forma
The best starting point for simpler and looser garments. Choose it when you want a fast setup, core measurements, and a reliable base for everyday sewing.
Misura
A good choice for closer-fitting garments or when personal measurements should influence the draft more clearly. It gives more personalization than Forma without going all the way into Precisa-level control.
Precisa
Use it when precision genuinely matters: more demanding silhouettes, stable fabrics, posture-related corrections, or advanced construction control. Do not choose it just because it sounds like the most professional option.
- Forma is usually enough for simpler garments, knits, and first tests.
- Misura helps when the pattern should sit more clearly on a specific figure.
- Precisa is useful for more demanding construction, but it can be unnecessary in relaxed garments.
Presets and sliders
When to use presets and when to edit manually
A preset gives you a fast direction, and sliders are there to refine the details. The most reliable order is usually preset first, manual editing second.
Presets create a safe starting point
If you want to move quickly toward a certain silhouette, a preset usually gets there faster than adjusting several sliders one by one.
Use sliders for correction, not for everything
After the preset, refine neckline depth, waist shaping, length, or other details. A few deliberate changes are usually better than changing every control at once.
- If proportions start breaking down after many edits, return to a preset and rebuild with fewer changes.
- Treat Precisa controls carefully and only when you understand the fit change you want.
MTC and archive
How MTC and archive work
MTC are charged when you save a finished PDF, not while you work on the preview. Archive stores the saved versions so you can return without paying again for the same file.
MTC are charged when the PDF is saved
That is the moment when the project becomes a reusable archived version. Work on the preview itself does not spend credits.
Archive is for re-downloads
If a printout gets lost or you want to revisit an older version, use the archive. You do not need to rebuild the same project from scratch.
- For a breakdown of what each plan includes, visit the pricing page.
- If you only want to compare a version, do it in preview first and save only the one you want to keep.
FAQ
Common questions
These are the short answers to the questions that come up most often in first projects.
Do I need to adjust every slider before saving the PDF?
No. In most projects, a few deliberate changes work better than editing every parameter. Start from a good base or preset, then refine only the details that matter.
I am sewing a heavier sweatshirt. Should I choose Precisa for better fit?
Usually no. For sweatshirts and other relaxed garments, Forma or Misura is normally enough, depending on how closely you want the pattern to follow the body. Keep Precisa for projects where extra precision gives a real benefit.
Glossary
Glossary of panel terms
Some names in the panel stay short or technical. This glossary explains them in a way that helps you decide whether a control is relevant right now.
Preset
A ready-made group of settings that quickly defines the style direction. Use it when you want a proven proportion instead of building everything by hand.
Dart Redistribution
A control that changes how shaping volume is distributed. It helps keep cleaner lines when the figure needs more deliberate balance in a fitted area.
- If you are not sure a control is needed, leave it alone first and add it only when you want to solve a specific fit or line issue.
Use rights
Your use rights and licences
Every pattern you generate is yours to use for personal sewing and individual client work. This section explains what is covered by the standard licence and when you might need a commercial agreement.
Can I sew garments for paying clients?
Yes. The standard licence covers sewing for individual clients using their measurements — including made-to-measure and alterations services.
Can I resell or redistribute the PDF pattern itself?
No. Selling, redistributing, or publishing generated patterns as standalone digital or printed products requires a separate written agreement with ZARIA s.c.
What counts as commercial use that requires a separate licence?
Mass production, team or enterprise workflows, and white-label services fall outside the standard licence. See the Commercial License page for details.
- For full legal terms, see the Terms of Service — section 6 (Licence to Generated Patterns).
Work faster, decide more calmly
metrico.studio helps you move from measurements to a finished pattern without drafting everything from zero. Use preview to compare options, save only the versions you want to keep, and return to the archive whenever you need an older PDF.