Pattern Magic: (E) Paperback – 6 Sept. 2010

I was really excited to see these books in English after initially coming across photos included in this book on Pinterest. I have been a sewer since I was 4, but only in recent years have gotten into garment making. I do tend to get bored with the standard dresses or shirts and was blown away by the first few pictures I seen (Blouse with interwoven design and the knot dress). This first book starts very basically, outlining pattern markings and how a basic bodice is laid out with darts. It then shows how to add a circle to the middle of the top in the bust. The pictures are very detailed and there is a lot of written detail about the pattern and how to put the circle in. There is a lot of photo inspiration and a couple of different varieties of each technique. In this book part one goes through Accents, Gathered Hole, Crater, The Drop Hole, Lumps & Bumps. Part 2 goes through Draped Design, the Twist, Hide and Seek, Interwoven Design, Bamboo shoot, the knot, two distinct expresssions and an intriguing curve.It is so interesting seeing how some of these strange designs translate to paper. While some of them are still very complicated for me I have enjoyed some of the simpler techniques. I have done a crater sleeve and really enjoyed the new challenge. The twist dress was also actually surprisingly easy once you got the pattern right. I am looking forward to trying out some of the more complicated patterns. My only criticism is that I wish that the book would detail some of the best fabrics to use for some of these. I found when doing the crater sleeve that cotton and linen needed interfacing to keep it rigid. Some designs clearly are better for certain types of fabric and it would be nice to get an idea of what works best.I would highly recommend to you if you are already at least somewhat experienced with garment making and have a good understanding of how patterns work as without that knowledge this book would be far too complicated. Great if you are looking to better understand complex patterns or for inspiration on making more complicated garments.

I have waited so long for this book to be translated into English and was delighted to see it as released in the UK recently. It is a fantastic, advanced, pattern drafting/cutting book with some fabulous Avant Garde designs in it. I wouldn't recommend someone to use it who doesn't have a solid grounding in pattern drafting but otherwise go for it and push yourself! The results are stunning and the book is incredibly cheap for what it is. For a translated text it is written with surprisingly clear and concise English and didn't notice any "pigeon" English excerpts, which is something you ususally see when being translated from one language to another. Thoroughly recommmend this book and NO. 2 which is due out next year.

I am writing one review on all 3 books as they are my opinion and experience. This is back to the roots of basic common sense in pattern making from ordinary shapes you see around you. The explanations are simple and clear and you can easily follow them. As the sloper or master pattern is made to measure and meant to fit the human body properly, all you have to do is take the patterns to a printer and blow them up to the size recommended and then another increase by just 2% nor more than 3% to fit the western human body better without the pain of having to reform it by hand yourself. Alternative is if you have a shop bought pattern in your size then use that to measure it against the Japanese sloper - make the adjustments and then retrace and then copy again

I already had this book before it was out in english and found it OK to understand but of course there may be something missed. I love Pattern Magic it allows me to expand on my understanding of pattern cutting and this in turn allowing me to be much more creative. This is a fantastic book presenting great new ideas and thought. This price is stunning as i spent £30 per book when it was first out (not english) so at £15 (or what the price is at the moment) is well worth the buy

I like it but it does leave quite a bit for you to work out by yourself. Some of the markings used do not have a key. And some of the measurements mean working out quite how they have been arrived at so you can replicate them. You need a protractor, compass, a role of children's art paper at the start, a good ruler with millimetres on it preferably one with the numbers against the paper because accuracy of marking is essential. Also need a bust or tailor's dummy. But the ideas are excellent for anyone interested in going beyond simply making the usual shirt or top etc. This is going to be very useful to me.

Such a well Illustrated, fascinating and insightful book. Takes a new approach to pattern making and I will be using it for a very long time.

This is an inspirational pattern cutting book, it simply shows the garment and then the method of cutting, and how the final pattern was arrived at. It is full of interesting designs that encourage you to think outside of the box. This is great for a student or someone with interest in technical fashion details and opens up a whole new world of creative cutting.

It's a real eye-opener, get it in you first year of uni and you will immediately see your designs become far more creative and crazy than you could ever imagine. Too many times you get held back from making what you want because you feel you don't know how you would even go about making it. This book has amazing ideas and gives really simple instructions that makes pattern cutting a breeze.