# Stitch Authority resource comparison Generated: 2026-08-01T22:14:39.653Z Comparison: This file preserves the published decision metadata for the selected routes. It is not a recommendation, provider approval, compliance decision, or record of project-specific due diligence. ## 1. Australia Basic Patternmaking Competency Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Find patterns & fit - Area: Patterns & fit - For: Both - Location or jurisdiction: Australia · Oceania - Access: Open access - Format: Reference - Source type: Official registry - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-16 - Next review due: 2026-10-14 ### Best for Scoping training, hiring, assessment, or evidence requirements for basic textile-product pattern development and testing in Australia ### What the source establishes Australia's National Training Register publishes current unit MSTAT3002, Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles. The release document describes interpreting textile-product design specifications, considering fabric performance, selecting tools and equipment, developing patterns, testing the result, and making alterations. Release 1 was generated December 22, 2022 and merged two earlier units. Current Australian apparel and live-production qualifications list MSTAT3002, while the current diploma also exposes advanced individual-fit, alteration, and fit-model units. ### Know before using This is a competency and assessment reference, not an instructional course, pattern file, qualification by reading, provider recommendation, professional license, or proof that a person can perform the work. The route does not establish enrollment availability, teaching quality, fees, support, recognition outside Australia, or product-specific fit. Confirm the current unit status, packaging rules, prerequisites, registered provider, assessment conditions, local requirements, and actual evidence before relying on it. ## 2. FreeSewing Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Find patterns & fit - Area: Patterns & fit - For: Makers - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Open access - Format: Software - Source type: Open-source project - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-21 - Next review due: 2027-01-17 ### Best for Custom-fit home sewing patterns ### What the source establishes FreeSewing's official documentation says the browser editor drafts a selected design in real time from a measurement set rather than scaling or grading a standard-size pattern. Users can adjust design options and export the generated result, including as PDF; saving the pattern to an account is optional and is used to revisit it later. ### Know before using A generated pattern is not independent fit evidence or a production-ready graded block. The result still depends on accurate measurements, the selected design and options, ease assumptions, fabric behavior, construction, and representative test garments. An account stores saved patterns and measurement sets, so review the platform's privacy terms before retaining personal measurements. ## 3. Material Exchange Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Choose materials - Area: Materials - For: Apparel brands - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Quote-based - Format: Software - Source type: First-party platform - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-28 - Next review due: 2027-01-24 ### Best for Evaluating an enterprise material-sourcing workflow after requirements are defined ### What the source establishes Material Exchange’s current site presents an enterprise early-stage sourcing workflow and routes prospective customers to a demo. Its Sourcing Hub terms, last modified October 24, 2025, define invite-only registration, AI-assisted material discovery, sample requests, bulk inquiries, negotiation, order-defined service access, subscriptions, and supplier transaction fees. The same terms say Material Exchange cannot verify uploaded certificate statements. ### Know before using The public site’s workflow, security, validation, and outcome statements are operator claims rather than independent performance evidence. The Sourcing Hub, Marketplace, and Digital Sourcing Platform have separate terms and must not be treated as one identical product. Supplier content, uploaded certificates, and AI suggestions are leads, not independent verification. Verify the exact product and Order, material identity and performance, certificate issuer and validity, supplier capability, samples, price, availability, commercial terms, data permissions, and any AI output before a sourcing decision. ### Account, payment, and exit - Access scope: Business brand, supplier, manufacturer, or sourcing team considering Material Exchange’s current invite-only Sourcing Hub powered by Frank for early-stage material and supplier work. - Before an account: Read the public workflow, security, and legal explanations and request a demo. The checked signed-out pages do not expose the live Sourcing Hub, supplier or material catalogue, configured feature scope, trial entitlement, or price. - Free-account boundary: Sourcing Hub registration is invite only and managed by the Material Exchange team. An Order defines each organisation’s authorized service scope and term; the terms say some services may be free and trials may be offered, but the public pages do not promise either. Individualised logins may not be shared. - Payment boundary: No public fee amount is disclosed. Orders or separate agreements define subscription and service charges; paid services may combine a one-time charge with automatically renewing monthly, quarterly, or annual charges. Orders are described as non-cancellable and non-refundable. Supplier transaction fees, sample shipping, scanning, customs, taxes, and separately negotiated services can be additional costs. - Cancellation or exit: Users terminate through support, while paid-service exit can also depend on a separate agreement. The public terms say access can continue through the current term, there is no prorated refund, and renewal stops after termination; they also warn that account termination may destroy associated content. Confirm the required notice, receipt, final access date, and content-return terms in the Order before paying. - Saved work and data: The Sourcing Hub can hold company and user details, sourcing briefs, supplier and material records, files, certificates, prices, compliance data, messages, samples, and detailed transaction records. Users retain ownership of submitted content, but termination may destroy it. The data notice covers personal-data access and portability and says residual copies may remain in active servers or backups; it does not document a self-service complete business-content export, format, or timing. Keep source files outside the platform and negotiate business-data return or export terms. ## 4. Ravelry Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Choose materials - Area: Yarn - For: Makers - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Free account - Format: Community - Source type: Community database - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-30 - Next review due: 2027-01-26 ### Best for Broad pattern, yarn, and project research ### What the source establishes Ravelry's official description identifies a user-driven database of knitting and crochet patterns and yarns, searchable directories, and a personal notebook. Community members and volunteer editors maintain database records. The current official Goodies page exposes an account-gated developer API route, a limited Project Progress API JSON export, and a stash spreadsheet; the official apps directory lists third-party apps that connect to Ravelry. ### Know before using An account is required and community, publisher, designer, shop, yarn, project, and connected-app records can vary in currency and accuracy. The checked public pages do not establish API credential eligibility, current endpoints, scopes, rate limits, support, app quality, or a complete account export. Search results, ratings, favorites, and project examples do not establish pattern accuracy, yarn availability, seller reliability, fit, gauge, or project suitability. Confirm current developer terms, files, errata, license, purchase and refund terms, measurements, yarn details, and shop information with the responsible source. ### Account, payment, and exit - Access scope: Knitter or crocheter researching patterns and yarns while keeping notebook records. - Before an account: Official about, apps, Goodies, login, and signup pages are public. The useful database, notebook, community, and API root require sign-in. - Free-account boundary: A free account requires a valid email signup link and enables the database, notebook, directories, groups, and forums. The public Goodies page sends developers to an account-gated API group; it does not establish current credential eligibility, scopes, endpoints, rate limits, or support. - Payment boundary: The core platform account is free. Individual patterns and other marketplace items may have separate provider-set prices; those purchases are not a user subscription. - Cancellation or exit: The checked public about, login, and signup pages do not establish cancellation, deletion, or post-exit access. Verify the current in-account help before contributing records. - Saved work and data: The Goodies page documents a stash spreadsheet and a Project Progress API JSON route, but it says exports are limited and does not establish one complete account export. Keep source files and critical records locally. ## Next checks 1. Remove any route whose audience, jurisdiction, access, or scope does not match the job. 2. Open the permanent record and source page for every remaining route. 3. Recheck facts that can change after the listed review date. 4. Verify project-specific capability, terms, test evidence, and legal requirements with the responsible source or provider. 5. Record the reason for the final choice outside Stitch Authority.