Lekala and Sewly both draft patterns to your measurements, but Lekala sells a large catalog of fixed designs at a low price per pattern, while Sewly drafts a pattern from a photo or a description and lets you change its options. Lekala suits confident sewists who want variety on a budget; Sewly suits people who start from a picture and want more guidance while sewing.

How does Lekala work?

Lekala is an online shop of made-to-measure sewing patterns. At the time of writing (October 2026), you pick a design from a catalog for women, men and children, from dresses and trousers to jackets and coats. You enter four measurements (height, bust, waist and hip) or choose a standard size, and pay a few dollars for the pattern. Each pattern is drafted by Lekala's software for your order and sent as a file, typically within minutes.

The order comes with a drawing of the garment, fabric recommendations, a list of parts, step-by-step instructions in English and a 3D image of a mannequin in your size. Files come as PDF for A4, Letter, Legal, Tabloid and A3 to A0 paper, or as PLT and DXF for plotters and CAD. Lekala states that its patterns are royalty-free, so you may sell what you sew.

Three things to know before ordering. Lekala's terms say seam allowances are not included by default, so you add them when cutting unless the pattern says otherwise. Some reviewers on sewing sites describe the instructions as brief text that assumes you know the techniques, which makes Lekala better suited to sewists past the beginner stage. And its terms state that the fit of the finished garment is not a reason for a refund.

How does Sewly work?

Sewly begins with a picture or a few words. Upload a photo or a screenshot, paste a Pinterest, Instagram or shop link, or describe the garment. The AI recognizes the garment and its details and picks the closest garment type in Sewly's library, with options for length, neckline, sleeves, fullness, closure and pockets. Sewly's drafting engine draws every piece from flat-pattern blocks with your measurements and the right ease. Height, bust, waist and hip are enough to start; the rest are filled in from the nearest size and can be refined, and a measuring assistant explains each one.

Seam allowances are included: 1.5 cm (5/8 in) on woven fabric and 1 cm (3/8 in) on knits by default, adjustable. The sewing guide gives the steps for your version, the pieces with cut counts, notions, fabric quantities and cutting layouts, and you can ask it questions. The 3D preview shows the garment on a mannequin built from your measurements, in the print of your photo if you like. Printing needs a paid plan.

When is Lekala the better choice?

  • You want variety at a low price per pattern. A large catalog and low prices make it easy to try many styles.
  • The garment is outside Sewly's library. Lekala's catalog includes jackets and coats; Sewly does not yet draft tailored jackets, coats, fly-front jeans, shirts with collar stands, lingerie or swimwear.
  • You are an experienced sewist. If brief instructions and adding your own seam allowances do not bother you, Lekala gives you a lot for little.
  • You use CAD or a plotter. PLT and DXF files are available; Sewly exports print-ready PDFs and a projector file.

When is Sewly the better choice?

  • You start from a photo. There is no catalog to search for the closest design.
  • You want to adjust the style. Change the length, the sleeves or the neckline and the pattern redraws at once.
  • You are still learning. The guide is detailed and specific to your version, and you can ask it what a step means or how to handle a slippery fabric. See how to read a sewing pattern if you are new to patterns.
  • You want fewer steps before cutting. Seam allowances are already on the pattern, and the cutting layouts show how to place the pieces on 110, 140 or 150 cm (45, 55 or 60 in) wide fabric.
  • You print in several ways. Every paper size from A4 to 36 × 48 in, plus a projector file, with lettered and numbered pages, a page map and a test square.

What are the limits of both?

Neither service fits a pattern on your body: both draft from your measurements, so a toile of a fitted garment is still wise. Lekala's designs are fixed and its instructions are short. Sewly's library is smaller (20 garment types at launch), and printing needs a subscription, from $7.99 a month or $59 a year, which costs more than a single Lekala pattern if you sew rarely. Sewly does offer a refund within 14 days of your first payment if it does not work for you.

Can you use both?

Yes. You might buy Lekala patterns for jackets and coats and use Sewly for skirts, dresses, tops and trousers drafted from photos. Since both start from the same body measurements, keep one accurate set; our measuring guide shows how to take them.