Japanese Pattern Books: Pattern Magic: bamboo (Bamboo shoot) - Type:Dresses  | | Viewed 260 times
| | Review rated Very Helpful by 3 people | | Reviewed by: | velosewer | 
 | About velosewer | | AUSTRALIA | | Member since: 11/11/06 | | Reviews written: 250 | | Sewing skills:Intermediate | | Favored by: 29 people | | patterns reviewed: 230 | | Bio: more... |
| | Posted on: | 1/8/13 5:42 PM | | Project Photo: |  | | Pattern Photo: | Pattern Info provided by velosewer | | Pattern Rating: | Recommend, with Modifications | | | | Fabric: | Cotton [See other projects in this fabric] | | Related Links | Click on  to add a link |
| About Pattern Magic
Pattern Magic is a pattern-making book from Japan. Taking inspiration from nature, from geometricshapes, and from the street, this book is about making and sculpting clothes. The book takes a creative approach to pattern making, with step-by- step projects for fashion designers and dressmakers to enjoy. Each project is beautifully illustrated with clear diagrams and photographs showing the stages of construction, the muslins, and the finished garments.
What you do need to be aware of - the final construction of the garment is up to you to work out.
Click here to see the final dress.
Enabling yourself to use this book
The book doubles as a beautiful coffee table book too ;) if you are not ready to tackle these patterns on your own. I was able to work these out with my sewing buddies and a local sewing teacher that I know. Even she was intrigued by these styles.
There are PRers who have attended Morley College in the UK to learn how to make up these patterns, so if you have a few sewing buddies, ask them for help if you're not up to working on these designs on your own.
Did the bodice look like the photo in the book?
Click Here to see how I developed the bodice pattern.
Were the pattern design instructions easy to follow?
The funny thing is, I bought the English translation book but I referred to the illustrations and photos to guide my work.
Did it come with sewing instructions?
No. The best resource for sewing the bodice was from the Pattern Magic flickr group.
As mentioned earlier, if you have access to your sewing buddies or a sewing expert, use them while you're working through these patterns.
What did you particularly like or dislike about the design?
I love the fold idea.
Testing the folds makes it easier to ensure this style suits your body shape.
I juggled with the lengths of the folds so the folds didn't conflict with the bust points or create any excess bulk in places where excess bulk doesn't exist.
The final bodice has 2 bulky bits above my waist so I sewed these down to look like bamboo offshoots. You gotta laugh and then improvise sometimes.
Fabric Used:
A blouse weight cotton fabric. I used this fabric because I liked the colour and I felt it would work well with the folds. I bought the fabric in Melbourne in 2009, for a blouse.
Therefore I needed to fully lined this dress but that made it much better than using facings  , my pet hate.
Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I've used the Colette Peony dress as the basis for the dress and I've altered the bodice front for the Bamboo effect.
This shows you the pattern changes I made to the bodice.
This is the final dress write up.
Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I have a few more Pattern Magic pieces that I will work on this year. I recently made up the collar with two distinct expressions .
I own all 3 Pattern Magic books and I've joined the Pattern Magic flickr group because while you can use the book for pattern making, how you apply each pattern is really up to your needs and imagination.
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8 Comments
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How good is that? It's awesome! Your dress is beautiful, and the flikr group photos are inspiring, so thanks for sharing them too.
1/8/13 7:12 PM
Great result - love the cumberbun and buttons - gives it a real chic look. Very nice.
1/8/13 7:14 PM
Wow, that's really interesting! I like your choice of a light solid fabric to showcase all of your hard work
1/8/13 7:46 PM
Very clever Maria! An interesting and fun project plus you now have a lovely dress that looks great on you too.
1/8/13 9:34 PM
Lovely job on this dress. I really like the sleeve detail, which ties in so nicely with the bamboo front of the dress. I have tried one item from the PM books and it was hard, so I am doubly impressed with your dress :)
1/9/13 2:07 AM
gosh take my hat off to you - great results
1/9/13 5:16 PM
It looks fantastic Maria! A fabulous blend of two favourite patterns.
1/11/13 7:44 AM
Your dress is beautiful, and you seem so adventurous sewing from the Pattern Magic books. I have to admit I'm quite intimidated by them.
1/12/13 3:48 AM