One day I'll actually manage to start making my own clothes and to prepare for that wonderful day I spend an awful lot of time buying both fabrics and patterns. I've found that, as with lipstick and eyeshadow I tend to buy a variation of the same thing over and over again - a tunic/smock/shirtdress type of thing that can be worn over polo neck and jeans. I love that fact that these patterns are so versatile and live in hope that they'll be easy to master. 

One of my latest buys is the Japanese pattern book  'Stylish Dress Book', which I first saw on one of my favourite blogs . Although Amy is most definitely a much more accomplished sewer than I am,  I take comfort and hope from the fact that she has made dresses from this book and figure that if all else fails a begging email might mean that she'll explain a few of the more difficult looking stages to me!

 

As well as the numerous pattern books, copies of Ottobre and individual patterns that I own I have also amassed a fairly large collection of shirting, linens and cotton lawns, all waiting patiently to be made in to dresses and smocks as well as the odd skirt (my one and only Anna Maria Horner pattern is still top of the list).

I'm not sure that I'm quite ready to tackle one of these patterns yet - possibly it would be prudent to start with a pattern written in a language I can read, but I'm determined to have a go as soon as I can.

Comments

[UK lass in US]

I have no doubt that you're ready.

I keep collecting smock ideas - then worrying that I'll look like I'm wearing a tent and persuading myself out of it. I think that I'll practice a bit more on the kids first...

[deb]

Awesome patterns! can you try bribery?? I bribed my sister with fabric and she made me two skirts!!

[ballee]

ha, same "problem" here. This book and the fabrics are on my shelves, but for now: its only looking and dreaming about it..

[mijk]

It is in a way fortunate that I have to much boob for this kind of dress. Otherwise I woudl probably finacially ruin our family

[Karen]

Can you just cut double the fabric and make one of everything for me while you are at it? Ta, chuck...

[Fancy Elastic]

Ah these designs are so gorgeous... go for it! I would love to see the finished article.

[Ruth]

Manda please take the plunge and get those scissors out before you get old and fat and forget where you've put the pattern.
If something terrible happens you can always just wear it round the house, or even as a nightie.
And you don't even have to show us how it turns out but you can be sure that if you do we'll all be appreciative of all your hard work.
You've made plenty of things for the girls now it's your turn.

[Rachel]

Oh, I have this book! I've even copied one of the patters, added the seam allowances, figured out what japanese terms mean what but STILL haven't taken the plunge with fabric, scissors etc. I would LOVE to see what you could accomplish with some of the patterns here. I'm using being hugely pregnant as an excuse as the patterns don't look especially friendly for big bum and boob combination but when I return to my human form I really will get to it. You first though.

[Pomona]

I love the designs in Japanese books, but the instructions are far too scary! I wish someone would translate them - those frocks look like they might not have zips which has to be a recommendation!

Pomona x

[amélie]

Hi
i 've had this book for more than a year and have made many tunics and dresses from it.
You can check out the pink tunic i made from the cover tunic.
http://mydaruma.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/bis-repetita/
If you make this tunic, be careful: the sleeves are small compared to the rest. That's why i've left out the sleeves...
I'm sure you'll get it right if you try
Amélie

[CreatureofHabit]

You will love that book!

It's intimidating at first (and I didn't want to mess up the tidiness of the book), but once you make your first, it's easy peasy. Really, it's all directed by photos/sketches and the patterns are quite ingenious in their simplicity. :)

But - if you have any questions, email away!

[CreatureofHabit]

Typepad ate my comment!

I love that book, the patterns are really simple. Sure, they are a bit intimidating to dive into, but once you do they are easy to make sense of.

If you still have any doubts or emails, you know where to find me!

Maybe we should do a sew along?

[Anna]

I love this book! I've made several dresses from it over the past few months, and I've been happy with all of them. I find that as long as I take the time to study the illustrations, it's actually a lot more straight forward (to me, at least) than working with English-language instructions. Crazy!

There are a pictures of three of the dresses I've made at the bottom of this flickr set, if you want to see my versions (there's always a bit of modifying that goes on).

[SierraMoon]

this one is a classic, a must-have
be careful before you start cutting anything, sizes are bigger than usual.
happy sewing :)

[Stephanie]

Oh gosh. I must go out right this minute (okay, maybe tomorrow when it is day time) and get my sewing machine fixed. I keep seeing all these awesome posts about patterns and cute clothes people have made! This book is pretty much amazing and I am right with you about needing to start with a pattern in English, but I can't help but love this book!

[kelly thomas]

I've heard about these pattern books... the look is so cool. Be sure to give us tips when you try them out. Thinking about trying one out myself.
kelly(simplyworn.etsy)

[Sarada]

I have that fantasy too of one day making my own clothes but I'm not even a miniscule amount as accomplished as you. I bet you would do a fantastic job and I would love to see the results. I love the pics from this book too!

[jenny]

i saw this book yesterday on sew i do , and instantly went to amazon japan to try and get it! all looks amazing but i to scared to start as i cant read it, someone please produce English version! good luck xxx

[Tanpopo]

I started sewing with japanese books !! No need really to understand japanese, the illustrations are so explicite : you just need to take your book with you to bed a few days, try to figure everything out, and go for it ! Be careful though : the patterns'fit is very large.

[Amber]

Made me laugh out loud - yes a pattern in a language one understands is always prudent!!! Good luck!