Read the brief before spending

In the sketchbook, separate the customer's story from the actual Requirements. Note the quality target, style tags, allowed colours or materials, and whether an accessory is required. A condition saying “use only” or “at most” is not a score to maximize. It changes what counts as an acceptable choice.

In the example below, Flowers and Romantic requirements appear on the left; the current draft's values on the right are still short. Find those short values in your own sketchbook before choosing more materials.

Sketchbook with commission requirements on the left and lower current Flowers and Romantic values on the right
Compare each requirement with the live draft. In this example, the Flowers and Romantic values still need work. View full screenshot.

Build a shape, then fill the short tags

Click the bodice, sleeves, skirt, and collar names in the sketchbook to change the draft. Watch which tag values rise or fall with each choice. If a required tag stays short, identify that gap before trying to fill it with fabric; use the current values on screen instead of an old prototype recipe.

  1. Choose the major pattern pieces that suit the requested shape.
  2. Compare the visible draft tags with the customer's minimums and limits.
  3. Write down which requirements remain short or in conflict before opening the shop.

Shop against this brief

In the Emporium, inspect the current fabric or accessory card: type, colour, tags, metres, and price. A helpful tag does not override a strict colour rule. The pictured pink silk appears beside a commission that says Use only black, so it demonstrates exactly why you should compare the shop item with the side card before purchase.

Emporium fabric item details beside a commission card requiring only black fabric while pink silk is selected
Read the item and the commission together; the selected pink silk conflicts with this pictured order's black-only rule. View full screenshot.

If the item you expected is missing, clear or change the shop filters first. Players have reported an unlocked pattern hidden by a filter. If it still is not listed, continue your current commission and relationship progression and check again; do not buy a poor substitute just because a fixed unlock list says it should be available.

Check the estimate before buying

Use the sketchbook's approximate fabric amount for the current design to plan the purchase, then check the shop's actual quantity and total price. Leave room in your wallet for any accessory you still need. The customer's displayed budget does not by itself tell you your eventual net earnings after materials or when payment arrives.

When the fabric and pattern choices match the visible requirements, continue to cutting and quality. If the dress is assembled but the customer cannot accept it, use the delivery checklist before trying random replacements.

Further reading:Official Dressmaker store and screenshots · Official update notes · Into Indie commission walkthrough