Hello, I found your game through instagram! I really hope this becomes a full game, I really enjoy that it is an in-depth dress making game that explores other aspects than just designing, such as sewing each of the pieces and budgeting, especially as someone who both sews and games.
I would like to go over things I am very impressed by in this demo.
1) The first few commissions do a wonderful job as tutorial for how leftover fabric works. Having the first request be one where the player is choosing workwear fabrics that happen to be useful for the next simple dress commission was a smart way of getting the player to be mindful of their fabric choices. The simple dress would make people naturally pick a design that require less fabric, therefore they are more inclined to use the smaller leftovers from the first dress, and be mindful of how they interlay future patterns. (this is also thanks to the simple and intuitive UI)
2) Unlike other critiques I've seen, I am a large fan of how the current sewing machine works. It feels like using a real machine, I appreciate that there is momentum and a slight skill curve to using it. Having the player push the fabric forward to sew, and slow down for curves or pivots makes it realistic and satisfying. As someone who sews, I had no problems using the one in the game because of its likeness. (perhaps a purchasable upgrade/new sewing machine that is easier to use may be added for others who want a simpler experience?)
3) Compared to other dress making games, this one likes to emphasize the process of creating a dress rather than only aesthetically designing one. It makes it feel really respectful to artists and their craftmanship, and has an anti-fast fashion theme though making the player slow down to learn how each piece is constructed step by step, and demonstrating what each individual dress means to the artist and commissioner.
One particular criticism/ suggestion I have is for when new fabrics are unlocked. I dislike the line of notifications running down the screen because it breaks my immersion. I think it would be very cute that instead you get a paper advertisement from the fabric shop displaying their new stock. It makes the world feel more alive knowing that not only is your business growing, but so is the ones around you such as the fabric shop.
It would also be cute if the fabric store had a UI where each fabric sample is displayed on a wooden shelf or in a book/paper catalog, which would keep in line with the physical media motifs already present in the game like the sketchbook you use or the newspaper you read.
Overall I am very pleased with this game and happy I donated. I really hope it becomes a full release with many characters, stories, and features. I'll like to leave off with this goth dress I made. :)
