OptiTex Breaks Into Home-Sewing Market

Software supplier OptiTex is entering the home-sewing market. Home sewing is fueled by independent fashion designers and hobbyists and is considered to be one of the fastest-growing segments of the marketplace.

The company is providing a customized version of its 3-D software to Swiss sewing-products company Bernina International. Bernina is adding the 3-D tools to its new MyLabel software, which is a tutorial program that advises sewers throughout the design process by recommending specific style, fabric and embroideries for each type of garment based on a customer’s actual body type. The system also recommends sewing techniques and construction instructions based on the final design.

Once the design is made, MyLabel, using OptiTex, displays a 3-D model that can be altered to match the intended subject’s body type. It’s similar to OptiTex’s main product line, which is used by major design houses around the world.

“Now, like the professionals, the amateur designer can translate a mental image or sketch into an actual garment,” said Ran Machtinger, president and chief executive officer of OptiTex Ltd., OptiTex USA’s parent company, based in Israel.

The system allows the final pattern to be printed either on a home printer and pieced together or downloaded to a disk on key to print on a commercial large-format printer.

The MyLabel product will be sold exclusively through Bernina’s worldwide distribution channel. For more information, visit www.optitex.com or www.berninamylabel.com.—Robert McAllister