Ditto Digital Pattern Projection System ( APP) | 2023

Designer: Nottingham Spirk Team, Nottingham Spirk, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Manufacturer: SVP Worldwide, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Ditto is the first-ever digital pattern projection system for home sewists that combines algorithmic intelligence with digital projection to make patterns paperless, customizable, and adaptable to body measurements – all in real time. The Ditto system represents the only evolution of paper patterns since their invention in 1860. On the Ditto website (dittopatterns.com), sewists can download a complete pattern library to the Ditto app, where users can layout pattern pieces in the workspace and send them to the projector for cutting.

Ditto’s digital pattern projection system required an ecosystem to realize its full potential as a connected product. The system encompasses the Ditto projector, all hardware and accessories, an e-commerce website where sewists can customize and purchase patterns, and the Ditto mobile app, enabling users to layout pattern pieces and send them to the projector.

In consumer research, sewists expressed their dislike for dealing with paper patterns, considering it the least enjoyable part of the sewing process, while finding projection intriguing. Transitioning from paper to digital necessitated a tool introducing features only possible in an app.

Workspace: The Ditto App features a “Workspace” where sewists can position pattern pieces for projecting. Unlike paper patterns that provide a recommended layout to minimize waste, the Ditto App gives sewists complete, interactive control of their layout.

Pattern Library: Patterns purchased on the Ditto website download to the “Pattern Library”. Unlike paper patterns that are difficult to save and reuse, Ditto digital patterns are instantly accessible for reuse.

Instructions & Tutorials: Similar to paper patterns, detailed sewing instructions and notion requirements are included with each pattern. Unique to the Ditto System, these instructions are saved in the app and are also accessible from the website pattern library. As an innovative product, in-app video and written tutorials guide users through the process.

Calibration: To ensure pattern accuracy, a calibration solution was developed, ensuring the projected pattern is at the correct scale. The sewist photographs the proprietary Ditto cutting mat with their mobile device, and the software automatically scales the pattern within the app for a seamless experience.

Splicing: Larger pattern pieces extending outside the projection area led to the creation of a software solution called “Splicing” in the Ditto App. It projects larger patterns with registration marks, and the sewist applies a custom sticker on these marks. As the software advances the projection, the sewist uses the stickers to align the fabric. An interactive “map” guides the user through multiple splicing screens.