Have you ever seen this book? "Pattern Magic 2 by Tomoko Nakamichi" was published in Japan but it has been translated into English. "Pattern Magic" 1-3 and "Pattern Magic stretch fabric" are currently published. You can purchase these books from Amazon. "Pattern Magic 2" shows 22 unique garments and techniques. If you would like to make garments quickly, I wouldn't recommend the book. The reason is because the book doesn't include any patterns. It only has simplified instructions and the finished garments in the pictures are actually in half-scale. However, I really love the book! If you love interesting patterns and new challenges, you should get it!
About the author, she works as a professor in the most famous (and the first) dressmaking-school "Bunka Fashion College" in Japan, from which she graduated. She teaches the course "Pattern playing~Mystery pattern" in the college. She has studied design in order to make her students enjoy studying. Pattern Magic's concepts are full of challenges, playfulness and curiosity, taught by making use of her works. She also makes great ball jointed dolls as well as her fashion design. (You can see these dolls are on her books).
I made the shirt dress from "Vanishing Tie"
I used grey dungaree and flower patterned cotton. The tie connects to the front bodice but it can be taken off! I attached a snap button on the back of the tie. The dress can be worn without tying a tie, so it's easier take on and off.
These patterns are in Pattern Magic using the Bunka sloper method (this method is believed to flatter the Japanese female form), but you can use from your pattern stash instead. First, I transferred a basic shirt pattern to another piece of paper. Following the instructions, I drew and added the tie pattern to the shirt pattern. It took me to draw the pattern around a few hours.
Next time, I would like to make the dress from the book! These knots on the chest look like roses, don't they? It will be a great dress with the roses motifs. Just one question though, how do I dry the dress after washing? Ummmm...
Thank you for reading!
Total time spent (not including drawing pattern and cutting time): 8 hours
Fabric: White 45" 1/2 yd, Grey 45" 1/4yd
I have been eyeing her books! I have seen only one other blogger (that I follow), making her items. They are so unique! I love this dress. It looks stunning on you and you wear this style so well. Not only is your sewing impeccable, but your fabric choices are always to perfection. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shirley!! I sometimes see the creations from the book on instagram. Yes, they are so unique and interesting, and some of them are too bizarre to wear😁 Anyway, I'm happy just to seeing the book.
Deletethat is so clever and looks really great.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Beth!!
DeleteSo pretty! You make the most unique garments.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to Faye!!
DeleteSuch and unusual dress and it suits you so well!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Diane! Very pleased;)
DeleteThe simplicity and beauty of this dress is amazing. It looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Josephine! I am happy to hear that😊
DeleteThis is fabulous! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Georgia!!
DeleteThis tie is so cool, emerging from the dress!... *^V^* But, how can you wear the dress without it? It's part of the front, right?... Or I miss something and cannot understand the pattern... *^-^*
ReplyDeleteI know those books, the ideas there are very interesting and innovative! I love the dress with a huge bow at the front and I will make it one day. *^v^*
Thank you for your lovely comment, Joanna! Yes, the tie is a part of the front and can't be taken off completely. I only unbutton of the back tie, when I take off the dress. I love these books, but they need a lot time to draw the patterns. I would love to make a few garments from them:)
DeleteWhat a great dress. I do like the Japanese style, it's always feminine and pretty, and often with a quirky little feature or twist. And you have added your own by making the tie removable - a great idea. I have Pattern Magic 1 - the pattern block is fairly easy to draft and I find the Japanese standard measurements work better for me than the American standards. But as you say, it does take time.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sarah! I'm happy to hear that. I love Pattern Magic2 too, and the author always makes unique things. Someday, I want her to publishe a sewing pattern book🙍
DeleteYou never cease to AMAZE me! I have seen this book at my local library, but after browsing through it, realize that it is a bit beyond my skill level for now. I do love the inspiration, though, and your version of the vanishing tie is just stunning!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vanessa! You are so sweet😊 I agree with you! If the book had sewing patterns, I would recommend it to everyone. Some of the garments from the book are too difficult for me.
DeleteFabulous dress! You have brought the vanishing tie to 'life' beautifully in your version. I have admired the Pattern Magic books, designs, and garments others have made, but have not had the confidence to try one myself. Look forward to seeing your version of the tied roses!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lisa! Your comment is sweet:) I definitely make other garments from the book. I'm always look forward to seeing your new project!
DeleteVery interesting Elicat! My mother used to use dot-to-dot Japanese patterns to make us clothes when we were little, and thank you for reminding me to look outside my Western bubble. It could help my son with his Japanese :) For your roses, to make them washable is surely a conundrum: maybe consider detachable roses (press studs or something else) or making them in a very quick-dry fabric like polyester chiffon, which also wouldn't need any ironing.... My son's judo gi takes every second of the 3 days between classes to dry in our semi-tropical often humid/wet conditions. So I can understand the issue. Certainly do not use bamboo or cotton for the flowers as I recall my son's bamboo washable nappies took longer than a gi to dry!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading my blog, RainbowBird:) Yes! If I make the dress with roses, I would like to make detachable ones. I wouldn't have thought of using a polyester chiffon. It will be dry quickly. Thank you for the great tips.
DeleteI agree with you; judo-gi is very stiff and thick, and it takes long time to get completely dry. My husband had karate lessons before, and the karate gi took to dry a few days on cloudy days. He sometimes practiced krate with the wet karate gi, haha😅
I love the tie on this, and the grey is lovely on you. These books are so cool--I have the one for stretch fabrics, and there's a couple of designs that are so phenomenally cool they must be tried!! Ah, sloper goals!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Elizabeth! I too love the Pattern magic - stretch. Someday, I would love to see yours from it:)
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