DECODE is a complete Zero Waste Design System that solves industry problems through communication, sharing, and play.
Our founder, Danielle Elsener, has dedicated her life's work to proving zero waste as a valid and robust design model. For over a decade, she has learned from industry, educational institutions, and self-run initiatives to understand how best to do this. What began as a love for puzzle solving through zero waste pattern-making, became a way to fix the fashion industry’s biggest problem.
Danielle started this company back when she was 8 years old, first selling painted rocks and crafts to family members and friends. What started as “The D Company” eventually shortened and evolved to “The D.E. Co” and todays “DECODE.”
Though the name has gone through iterations over the years, the process and outcome has been refined to reflect intrinsic core ideals. The most important part of creation is not the end result, but the way one gets there
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Tine on 04 Aug, 2026
5 out of 5 starsLove the pattern, it’s useful and zero waste! Make sure you (unless you are a very experienced sewist ) to also check the substack for additional instructions. I reached out to Danielle because it was all in imperial measurements, she quickly responded and added metric measurements in the A4 version. Saves a lot of calculations :) totally recommend it :). I added two sliders to my zip by the yard in stead of just one so I have a center opening.
Danielle responded on 04 Aug, 2026
What a lovely outcome!! Thank you so much for your kind words and I'm so glad you enjoyed the project 😀
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Susanna on 23 Jul, 2026
5 out of 5 starsI used the pattern AND the creators post on Substack to fully follow along the process. Would have been helpful with a video tutorial. What I really like about the finished product is that it is ideal for makeup because you can see all your products when the bag is opened and folded up on a table. The divider is perfect for pens and brushes and gives the entire bag structure. Thank you!
Danielle responded on 23 Jul, 2026
What a beautiful make!! Thank you for sharing, I'm so glad you enjoyed the process. I will definitely take the video suggestion into account going forward!
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Ronni on 08 Jun, 2026
4 out of 5 starsMore bare bones than I had hoped, but diagrams look like I can follow them
Danielle responded on 08 Jun, 2026
Hi Ronnie, I'm sorry this didn't meet your 5 star expectations! There are further instructions you can follow on my Substack with more photos to help along the way. If you have any issues in the future please don't hesitate to reach out. https://decodecodecode.substack.com/p/zero-waste-travel-case-tutorial
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Elizabeth on 28 May, 2026
5 out of 5 starsVery happy with this pattern - it was fun and interesting to sew. I made mine as a camera lens case and added a padded lining: https://lizhaywood.com.au/making-a-zero-waste-camera-lens-case/
Danielle responded on 31 May, 2026
Thank you for the very kind review and showing off your lovely make!!
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Susan on 21 Dec, 2024
4 out of 5 starsThought the wonderful blu/wht color blocking was built into the pattern. Nope, it's only from fabric. Figured out pattern, but this unique layout needed more explication.
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About DECODEMFG
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Danielle Elsener
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Danielle is the founder and brain power behind DECODE. For over a decade she has worked to develop Zero Waste Design as a valid and robust design model. At the end of the day she just wants to make cool things that don't hurt the world.
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