# Stitch Authority resource comparison

Generated: 2026-07-28T19:35:15.642Z
Comparison: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/compare?ids=eu-ppe-regulation%2Cthreadloop%2Caustralia-basic-patternmaking-competency%2Ctukacad>

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. EU Personal Protective Equipment Regulation

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/eu-ppe-regulation>
Source page: <https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/mechanical-engineering/personal-protective-equipment-ppe_en>

- Primary job: Check standards
- Area: Standards
- For: Apparel brands
- Location or jurisdiction: European Union
- Access: Open access
- Format: Reference
- Source type: Government guidance
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-16
- Next review due: 2026-10-14

### Best for

Starting an EU/EEA PPE scope and conformity review with the current law, Commission guidance, harmonised-standard publications, and official notified-body route

### What the source establishes

The Commission page says Regulation (EU) 2016/425 covers the design, manufacture, and marketing of PPE and connects manufacturers to the essential health and safety requirements, current PPE guidelines, harmonised-standard publications, and NANDO notified-body list. The linked consolidated legal text was current to May 29, 2026 at the checked date.

### Know before using

This is a legal and guidance starting point, not a product classification, risk assessment, standard selection, technical file, test plan, notified-body appointment, EU type-examination certificate, declaration, CE-mark approval, or legal opinion. Confirm the actual intended and foreseeable use, risk category, current law, applicable essential requirements, conformity route, economic-operator duties, destination rules, and evidence before placing PPE on the market.

## 2. Threadloop Sewing Pattern Database

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/threadloop>
Source page: <https://threadloop.app/>

- Primary job: Find patterns & fit
- Area: Patterns & fit
- For: Makers
- Location or jurisdiction: Global
- Access: Free + paid
- Format: Community
- Source type: Community database
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-28
- Next review due: 2027-01-24

### Best for

Searching current and out-of-print sewing patterns

### What the source establishes

Threadloop's official guide describes an independent, fully crowdsourced database covering available and out-of-print sewing patterns. Its search supports pattern type, fabric type, age group, body type, cup size, level, format, file features, language, measurements, availability, and other filters; members can also track a stash, wishlist, projects, reviews, and discussions. Current terms state that the free plan requires no card, paid upgrades start billing immediately, cancellation retains paid features through the current cycle, and the account then returns to free features.

### Know before using

Community members add and quality-control the records, so confirm sizing, measurements, fabric suggestions, format, availability, errata, license, and purchase terms with the designer or publisher. Adding an entry to a stash does not provide the pattern files. Saved searches and private PDF storage are paid Plus features, and a listing or review does not establish pattern accuracy or fit.

### Account, payment, and exit

- Access scope: Sewer searching pattern records or organizing patterns, projects, fabric, notions, and private files.
- Before an account: Browse the pattern database, guide, designers, publications, and public community areas without creating an account.
- Free-account boundary: A free account needs no card and supports a stash, wishlist, projects, reviews, and personal organization.
- Payment boundary: Plus adds PDF pattern storage, collections, saved searches, bulk editing, and other workflow features on monthly or annual billing.
- Cancellation or exit: Cancel through an in-account link. Paid features remain through the current billing cycle, then the account returns to free features.
- Saved work and data: The terms say submitted materials remain yours, but the checked public pages do not explain a full export or how stored PDFs behave after downgrade. Keep originals outside the platform.

## 3. Australia Basic Patternmaking Competency

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/australia-basic-patternmaking-competency>
Source page: <https://training.gov.au/training/details/MSTAT3002>

- 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.

## 4. TUKAcad

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/tukacad>
Source page: <https://tukatech.com/tukacad/>

- Primary job: Find patterns & fit
- Area: Patterns & fit
- For: Both
- Location or jurisdiction: Global
- Access: Paid
- Format: Software
- Source type: First-party platform
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-21
- Next review due: 2027-01-17

### Best for

2D patternmaking and grading with public plan tiers

### What the source establishes

Tukatech's current TUKAcad page publishes monthly Learning and Professional editions for digital patternmaking and grading, with a higher tier adding marker making, data import and export, digitizing, cut-data optimization, and yield reports. It discloses plan limits on pattern pieces, graded sizes, and marker dimensions, plus built-in help, block templates, a trial, Windows requirements, and the Windows-on-Mac route.

### Know before using

TUKAcad is Windows software; the official Mac route requires a separate virtual Windows environment. Pattern-piece, graded-size, marker, import and export, digitizing, and production-output capabilities vary materially by paid tier. A CAD file or marker report does not prove fit or factory readiness, so verify formats, grade rules, seam and production data, hardware, training, and downstream compatibility before subscribing.

## 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.
