Book Review: Pattern Magic Vol 1 and 2
I’ve been meaning to post about these books forever: Pattern Magic Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, which I purchased from the always wonderful Kinokuniya in San Francisco.
I’ve been working a lot on pattern making lately, and I can’t tell you how inspiring these books are. They’re laid out like many other Japanese mooks, with large clear shots of the finished garments and a section of detailed, heavily illustrated instructions. The designs are complex and sculputral and very very Japanese. Looking at the photos, it’s sometimes difficult to imagine how a piece of two dimensional fabric was used to create such three dimensional sculpture.
Then you come to the layouts and instructions, which you can study to understand the process. It really tests your spatial abilities, but more than that, it’s a great lesson in constructing 3D shapes from fabric.
Ok, it’s a bit intimidating at first, but the copious illustrations mean you really don’t need to understand Japanese to figure out what’s going on. It’s not for the novice, but if you want to dig into pattern construction, these books are an incredible resource. I really enjoyed studying the images, trying to figure out how it was done, then examining the diagrams. But maybe I’m just nerdy like that.
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Yes, I have both books and have been meaning to post some of my favorite pix from them, too. So far, I have only looked at them and dreamed of projects. Where will I get the time?
Have you made any of them?
Nope, I haven’t made any of them yet, and it’ll probably be a while before I do!
I agree, I love these books though I haven’t dared to sew anything from them…
Oh, I’ve wanted those books forever! So inspiring…
wow. delicious books. I thought it was just me interested in this stuff, til I discovered the creative net world!
a more prosaic question… do you recommend any reference basics for knitting? I read a few recommendations last year (Southern Hemisphere winter) but can’t find them now… so I”m asking net people who knit!
Jenny, are you just learning how to knit and want some technique instruction? Or are you looking for a reference for different kinds of stitches? Or something else?
If it’s the first one, I definitely recommend the Good Housekeeping Illustrated Book of Needlecrafts. It’s the book I learned to knit from, and while it’s not a knitting book per se (it covers many needlecrafts), I found the extensive photographs invaluable. It also has several stitch pattern, including laces and cables. Overall, a great book!
Hi! Found your site from Googling about the books. There’s a flickr group called Pattern Magic you want to peek at. I agree, the books are so fun to figure out! (Kinokinuya soooo fun now that they’ve expanded!)
hi
just found your website – and it is very inspiring.
I too have just bought the pattern magic books and cant wait to get started on them.
Been making clothes, like yourself since i was a child! sadly over the last couple of years just not had the time – apart from sewing some of my wedding dress last year.
I am hoping that Nakamichi Tomoko will bring my mojo back!
will send you some pics once i get started!
How do I buy these books??? I couldn’t figure out the Kinokuniya website!
Katie: I just wrote a post about buying Japanese books, maybe it will help you?
I, too, wrote about buying Japanese books. If you live in LA, then go to Sanseido Books in Torrance. Last Sunday, August 24, 2008, they had two copies each of Pattern Magic and Pattern Magic 2 in stock. Alas, they were sold out on the current Mrs. Stylebook.
Even if they are sold out, they will special order the books for you. Don’t forget to sign up for their frequent buyer discount card!
Thank you for your help!!!
Yes this book is an amazing find. I found it at a store in LA when I visited a friend there. Finally after months I made a tunic with a twisted knot that was taken from this book. It’s called “Kolam Kurta” in the winter collection on my website…
I would love to get this book!!!Does anyone know where to get it from in London??? I really need it for my projects that i’m doing rite now…
i really want to have a copy of that book..too bad we dont have here in the philippines..im a professional dressmaker and love japanese fashion to death…
joy…
u can purchase it from Ebay.com!i’ve purchased those book there..and they gonna send me pretty soon…it’s import from Tokyo to London…
I found it impossible to find the books pattern magic vol.1 and 2 on internet to buy them myself. Could you please leave the ISBN, so that I can find it? Thanks! The books look like a musthave!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170289299107&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:GB:1123
that’s the url from ebay that i bought from a guy from japan name Yohei…i love it..so neat n well presented n wrap…u shud buy from him too…
Hi all,
My name is Michaela and I am an architect interested in fashion!! Does anyone know where I can buy these books? I live in London and it is hard to find them here. If will anyone volunteer to buy them for (I will put money to his/her account) I will appreciate it.
Thanks!!
hye michaela,
I’m from London too…study here doing my BA in Fashion…those books u can purchase from the web that i gave before…but it’s from Japan, and all the words in those books were Japanese language…if you dont have any basic or experience in Fashion Design before..it’s gonna be really hard…lolx…eventho i’m doing fashion about 4 years now…im still got headache with some of the patterns shown….lolx…Good Luck!
Thanks Zarrieff, I will double-think then if I am going to buy them!!
Thanks, anyway!!!!
i like u fashion book . how i buy this book ?
here you can order the books:
http://www.yesasia.com/us/1004092111-0-0-0-en/info.html
They are $26,50 each and no shipping costs!
good luck
Hello. the pattern magic books looks great. do you know how can i buy it in the internet? i can’t find it in the shop link you gave
thanks
Hi there… just bought these from yesasia.com, who are currently offering free shipping to the UK!!! Granted they do take about a month from order to arrive, but hey, they look awesome and so inspiring and i figure that that alone is worth the wait! Starting a Fashion BA in a week and i reckon these will help me think more conceptually! Wooohoo!
Eu estou precisando comprar estes dois volumes alguem pode me ajudar a encontrá los
I have both books and absolutley love them (got them from yesasia). Just been trying out a few toiles its hard but worth it they look amazing. I’ll post a few pictures on twitter to show. I’m doing an MA in fashion bodywear and will need some fedback as my work goes on so will put them on and would love if you lovely people wouldnt mind giving some honest opions on my work. I wil keep you updated once I have them on twitter.
Thanks,
Lorna
hi eviediva!how long is the offer 4 uk going 2 last. i live in benin repudlic(africa) but have a pal in london who just will help to get the books.
As relaxation and part of a diet plan ( if my hands are busy- I don’t shove food in my face). I also bought these books. I loooovvve them. Gorgeous. I am making a top, one with a standing collar and a cravat, from volume two. Actually I am a novice. I am managing. It reminds me of origami. The lines are simple and straight, you can even do them by hand if the machine runs away with you . The hard part is the fitting, if you get that, the actual making of the pattern is not so hard. I’m working on a muslin right now, and it’s promising.
You can also get them from yesasia.com I believe
Dear people,
I want this book so bad. (vol I and II)
But we can’t get it in Belgium. Our Banks don’t pay it on Yesasia.com.
Do you have outher options?
Thank you so mutch
Marjan