# Stitch Authority resource comparison

Generated: 2026-07-28T17:41:09.364Z
Comparison: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/compare?ids=tech-pack%2Ccloth-library%2Cmaterial-exchange%2Cthreadloop>

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. Tech Pack Definition, Contents & Limits

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/tech-pack>
Source page: <https://stitchauthority.com/guides/what-is-a-tech-pack>

- Primary job: Source production
- Area: Production
- For: Apparel brands
- Location or jurisdiction: Global
- Access: Open access
- Format: Stitch Authority
- Source type: Stitch Authority
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-27
- Next review due: 2027-07-27

### Best for

Understanding what a tech pack must control before using a template or releasing work

### What the source establishes

The guide cites published ISO sources for documented-information, garment-measurement, stitch, and seam boundaries plus current U.S. FTC textile and care-labeling guidance; it discloses that ISO 10013:2021's 2026 systematic review is at close-of-review stage and separates every cited authority from product-specific technical and market decisions.

### Know before using

An orientation rather than a completed product record; it does not supply a universal format, licensed standard content, measurements, tolerances, construction settings, labels, approvals, compliance conclusion, or product-release authority.

## 2. The Cloth Library

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/cloth-library>
Source page: <https://stitchauthority.com/fabric>

- Primary job: Choose materials
- Area: Materials
- For: Both
- Location or jurisdiction: Global
- Access: Open access
- Format: Stitch Authority
- Source type: Stitch Authority
- Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-16
- Next review due: 2027-07-16

### Best for

Starting a fabric decision before purchase or cutting

### What the source establishes

All 50 current cloth entries meet the source-reviewed content contract. The public index, cards, permanent pages, and site search expose that state, while the repository audit enforces a current review date, substantive scope, decision boundaries, and at least three external sources. The migrated cases cover fibre and family representations, woven and knitted construction, open nets, raised and dimensional surfaces, mass, thickness, drape, elasticity, colour, seams, pressing, care state, supports, and complete-product decisions.

### Know before using

Source-reviewed describes the page and its cited decision boundaries. It does not authenticate a commercial roll, seller claim, fibre percentage, construction, finish, performance result, machine setting, care route, compliance status, supplier, or product fitness. Internal browse bands are navigation labels, not textile standards or product classes; an entry without a usable listed mass range is unclassified. Check the actual article, seller data, care label, equipment instructions, representative assemblies, applicable rules, and project requirements before deciding.

## 3. Material Exchange

Permanent record: <https://stitchauthority.com/directory/material-exchange>
Source page: <https://material-exchange.com/>

- 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. 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.

## 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.
