For brands in the United States and the United Kingdom
Pattern maker in Italy for US and UK fashion brands.
Industrial pattern-making studio in Botticino (Brescia, Italy), specialized in technical outerwear and down jackets. Patterns, grading, fitting and prototypes, worked at a distance. Measurements in inches or centimeters, your size chart, DXF AAMA/ASTM files that are yours. NDA before any file is exchanged.
Pattern making, pattern cutting: the same work
American brands call it pattern making, British brands call it pattern cutting. It is turning a design into the pieces a factory can actually cut and sew, and making sure the garment repeats at every size. Atelier modArch was founded in 2017 by Teresita Piacentini and is specialized in technical outerwear: down jackets with channels and baffles, structured coats with floating linings, multi-layer luxury sportswear, insulated vests.
The studio does not manufacture at scale. It develops patterns and prototypes for production in your factory, wherever that factory is.
How a project works from the US or the UK
- You send the brief. A tech pack, a sketch, a reference garment, or an existing pattern that is not behaving. Existing files are assessed before anything is accepted.
- The NDA is signed first. Before any file is exchanged. Patterns, tech packs, sample images and the existence of the collaboration stay confidential.
- Base pattern, defect correction, grading. Built in the studio's CAD from your measurements and your size chart.
- Fitting. On a prototype made in Italy and shipped to you, or on one you make with your own sample room or factory.
- Files and tech pack. Native CAD files plus DXF AAMA/ASTM and the documents your factory needs to cut and sew.
Inches, US sizes and your grade rules
Send measurements and size charts in inches: the studio converts them. Your size chart is the reference, whether your range runs in US numeric sizes or in S–M–L, and grading follows your grade rules.
The patterns are yours
Once the work is paid in full, everything developed for your brand belongs to you: native files from Lectra Modaris, Optitex or Gerber AccuMark, plus universal DXF compliant with AAMA/ASTM. Your factory in the US, in Asia or in Europe can work with them directly, and Gerber AccuMark is common in American production environments.
Fitting at a distance
Remote fitting analysis works from photographs of the prototype worn according to a standard protocol: front, side, back and movement views, plus the measurements you take. It covers minor corrections; for structural issues an in-person session is preferable. Video calls are arranged when the project needs them.
Prototypes, shipping and customs
Physical prototypes belong to the client and travel by confidential courier with sealed tracking. US tariff law has specific provisions for commercial samples (HTS 9811.00.60) and for prototypes imported in limited non-commercial quantities for development and testing (HTS 9817.85.01), as summarized in C.H. Robinson's guide to importing commercial samples. Whether they apply to your shipment is for your customs broker to confirm.
Time zone, language, payment
- Time zone. The studio works on Central European Time. Most of the work moves by email and shared files; calls are scheduled when needed.
- Language. International clients are followed in English, French and Spanish by a dedicated contact, so Teresita can stay on the patterns.
- Payment. Invoices in US dollars or euros.
- Quote. After the brief. The preliminary technical assessment is free.
Garments the studio handles
- Technical down jackets, women's and men's, in goose down or synthetic insulation
- Structured coats, trenches and parkas with floating linings
- Multi-layer sportswear with waterproof membrane and taped seams
- Soft-shells, insulated vests, leather and shearling outerwear
More on the technique in pattern making for technical down jackets, size grading and fitting. Before you choose a studio: how to choose a pattern maker.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work with US and UK brands from Italy?
Yes. Most of the studio's work has always been done at a distance. You send the brief, the NDA is signed before any file is exchanged, and patterns, files and fitting reports travel online.
Can I send measurements in inches and use US sizes?
Yes. Measurements and size charts can arrive in inches; the studio converts them. Your size chart and your grade rules are the reference, whether you use US numeric sizes or S–M–L.
Who owns the patterns?
You do. Once the work is paid in full, the patterns developed for your brand are yours: native CAD files plus DXF AAMA/ASTM, usable with any factory.
Which files will my factory receive?
Native files from Lectra Modaris, Optitex or Gerber AccuMark plus universal DXF compliant with AAMA/ASTM, which opens in all major pattern and automatic cutting systems.
How are prototypes shipped, and what about customs?
Physical prototypes belong to the client and travel by confidential courier with sealed tracking. US tariff law has specific provisions for commercial samples (HTS 9811.00.60) and for prototypes in limited non-commercial quantities (HTS 9817.85.01); whether they apply to your shipment is for your customs broker to confirm.
How do we pay?
Invoices in US dollars or euros. The quote comes after the brief; the preliminary assessment is free.
Start with the brief
Send a tech pack, a sketch or a reference garment. The NDA comes before any file.