Complete Version History
Version 0.5.5
October 3, 2025 · Hotfix
Final hotfix before the team shifted focus to full Steam development. Addressed sprite display issues and pattern naming problems.
✅ Fixed
- Fixed incorrect sprite for flounce sleeves (was showing three-quarter sleeve sprite in sketchbook)
- Fixed incorrect grainline and naming for ruffle skirt
⚠️ Known Issue
This update broke ruffle skirt panel ordering for existing saves. Developers acknowledge this limitation.
Version 0.5.3
September 29, 2025 · Hotfix
Last update before shifting full focus to Steam version. Improved trim placement controls and fixed fabric unlocking issues.
✨ Improved
- Less finicky trim placement (easier to attach lace and decorative borders)
- More camera controls in mannequin scene (middle click to zoom in/out)
- New needle and pin 3D models
- Better pattern fitting adjustments
✅ Fixed
- Fixed green trim rendering issue
- Fixed save file corruption bug from previous update
- Fixed fabric unlocking bug (some fabrics weren't available)
- Fixed sketchbook paging issue
🆕 Content Added
- Argyle wool fabrics
- Red silk fabric
- Gothic Collar pattern
⚠️ Breaking Change
Changed ruffle skirt structure (equal side panels). Existing dresses with this pattern may be broken. Developers tried to limit damage but acknowledge it may affect saves.
Version 0.5.1
September 23, 2025 · Content Update
Significant content update adding new dress patterns, improved accuracy systems, and better UI for fabric management.
🆕 New Content
- New bodice option (additional style choice)
- New ruffle skirt (⚠️ requires ~40 meters of fabric to cut)
- New trims and decorative options
- Better background in mannequin scene
✨ Improved
- Pattern panels now use fairly accurate seam allowances (visible in cutting room and during sewing)
- Inventory menu replaces cycling through fabrics in cutting room (better UX)
- Multiple changes to make trims easier to use
- Improved sewing button visibility for overlapping fabrics
- Better detection of forward/back movements when moving mouse sideways during sewing
✅ Fixed
- Patterns that defaulted to being upside down now orient correctly
🐛 Player-Reported Issue
Community feedback: Some ruffle parts (Tier 2/Tier 3) cannot achieve 100% Grain Quality. Developers are aware of this limitation.
Version 0.5 + Steam Page Launch
September 18, 2025 · Major Update
🚀 Major Milestone: Steam Page Live!
Dressmaker's official Steam store page launched. The team announced they're "putting our heads down" to work on the full version. Wishlisting and joining Discord are the best ways to follow development.
Massive update with "too many changes to list." Highlights include the long-awaited lace trim feature, improved sewing mechanics, and expanded customization options.
🆕 Major Features
- Lace trim system – Add decorative borders to sleeves, hems, and necklines
- One new skirt pattern
- More accessories (expanded button, bow, and trim options)
- Additional fabric types and patterns
✨ Improved
- Improved and easier sewing mechanics (more forgiving controls)
- Better overall game feel and polish
💬 Community Feedback
Players report lace placement can be "glitchy and hard to navigate." The team continues to iterate on this feature in subsequent patches.
Version 0.4.4
September 9, 2025 · Hotfix
Major usability update introducing keyboard controls for sewing, significantly improving player experience and precision.
🆕 New Features
- Keyboard controls for sewing – Use SPACE bar and Arrow Keys (major accessibility improvement)
✨ Improved
- Increased mouse sensitivity for sewing (more responsive)
- Better visibility of sewing line on light fabrics
- Improved scissors handling in cutting room
- Reworked and improved scoring system (mostly under the hood)
✅ Fixed
- (Hopefully) Fixed twitchy hand in sewing scene
- Fixed newspaper reappearing bug
- Fixed various pattern panel bugs
- Mac build corruption fix (0.4.4.1 hotfix)
🐛 Developer Note
Twitchy hand bug: "We've been unable to reproduce this so we can't tell for sure" if it's fully fixed. Community testing ongoing.
Version 0.4.3 + Free Lives Greenlight
September 5, 2025 · Update
🎊 Major Announcement: Internal Greenlight!
Free Lives studio officially greenlighted Dressmaker for full development! Quote from developers: "Your passionate comments with such vocal support for the game mean that we should definitely try to make the full game!"
Context: Just 4 days earlier (Sept 1), the team expressed concerns about download numbers and visibility, worried they wouldn't be able to continue. The community rallied with massive support, YouTuber coverage (Cute Games Club), and enthusiastic feedback, leading to this greenlight decision.
🆕 New Features
- Sketchbook preview in cutting room (can now reference your design while choosing fabrics)
- New buttons available in shop
Version 0.4.2
September 3, 2025 · Critical Hotfix
Emergency hotfix for game-breaking bug discovered on 4th dress.
✅ Fixed
- Fixed game-breaking bug: Dragging fabric onto mannequin breaking on 4th dress (the one that needs bows)
✨ Other Changes
- Added app icon (created by Sara)
📺 Community Spotlight
Cute Games Club YouTube channel featured Dressmaker, helping boost visibility and community growth.
Version 0.4.1
September 2, 2025 · Hotfix
Quick patch addressing scoring bugs and shop crashes reported by early players.
✅ Fixed
- Fixed some incorrect scoring calculations
- Fixed shop breaking when reaching end of prototype
- Fixes to butterfly and Juliette sleeves
Version 0.4 + Community Rally
September 1, 2025 · Major Update
⚠️ Critical Moment: Developer Concerns
Developers posted "mixed news" expressing concerns about download numbers and future development. Quote: "Unless we see a significant uptick in downloads (like at least triple), we won't be able to continue development. The studio's fear is that there isn't enough appeal."
Community Response: Players rallied with massive support, sharing the game widely, contacting YouTubers/streamers, and flooding comments with encouragement. This grassroots effort led to the greenlight 4 days later.
Major update implementing community suggestions and preparing for expanded development (if greenlit). Developers note their other prototypes outperformed Dressmaker due to horror aesthetic getting more YouTuber coverage.
🆕 Features Added (Based on Feedback)
- Multiple community-requested features (specific details combined with earlier 0.3 changes)
- Expanded dress customization options
- Improved overall game flow
Version 0.3
~August 4, 2025 · Initial Prototype
First public prototype release. Developers note it was made by Free Lives team in "about 3 weeks" as a rapid prototype with intentionally rough edges to get player feedback quickly.
🎮 Core Features
- Basic dress design system (bodice, sleeves, skirt selection)
- Fabric cutting mechanics with pattern placement
- Sewing mini-game with quality scoring
- Customer request system
- Limited fabric and accessory options
- 5 commissions to complete in prototype
✅ Early Bug Fixes
- Fixed confetti audio (was "violent/jarring")
- Fixed pattern naming confusion (skirt pieces had identical names)
- Multiple scissor and cutting bugs fixed
🎯 Development Philosophy
Developers: "As happens with prototypes, we work in a very quick, dirty manner just to have something working that we can put in front of people asap... and a lot of things tend to be buggy." This rapid iteration approach continued through all versions.