Shape Shape: Sewing Clothing Patterns to Wear Multiple Ways Paperback – February 21, 2012

I made up seven of her items in the last month. I learned enough from this book to make my own pattern for the first time ever! It's very inspiring.This books has simple designs, yet there is quite a bit of style to the finished items. It is not the book for people looking to make quick and easy wardrobe items for less than they would pay at an average mall store. Think of the big four patterns as fast food drive through and these patterns as fine dining.You start really appreciating the genius of this book once you begin to work with it. I'm an experienced beginner and found the patterns yield a very sophisticated result, but they do require some thoughtfulness and effort at understanding how to use them.You do need to trace the pattern or recreate the design by enlarging it up (average size people will need to do this). I used freezer paper. Experienced people should note that it is important to actually read the instructions at the front of the pattern section of the book and on each pattern, because some of the rules are different in Japanese sewing patterns. It's very easy, if you follow her instructions. If you pick one with bias tape, make sure you really do understand how to work with it. These are very simple patterns. Once you've made up an item, it's pretty fast to make up more of the same thing. They are basic enough to really help you build a wardrobe.The artist paid great deal of attention to the art of the garment, using the grain, shape of the pattern piece, etc. It seems to be very important with these patterns to stick with the suggested fabrics, which are primarily natural linens and cottons.Wish more of her work was published in English because I'm anxious for more of these wonderful designs.Trudy B.

I've been a sewer for years and then I took a very long break. However, that didn't stop me from continuing to buy fabric. This year I decided to do something about the fabric and started sorting through my old patterns and made some old favorites which barely put a dent in the pile of fabric. Yet I still wanted something different and I was surprised by how few sewing patterns are now available at the fabric stores. Plus what is being offered are sooooo mundane and BORING. So one night I was perusing Amazon and saw this book. Based on the cover I went ahead and ordered it along with a couple other similar books. Well, this one arrived today and I am THRILLED. This is exactly what I've been looking for. The designs are original and the layouts easy to follow. I've already picked out a few patterns to go with material all ready on hand. And there is one pattern that I'm going to modify a wee bit to achieve the idea that popped into my head when I saw it.

This book is well presented and priced and certainly had a lot of buzz about it before release. I have enjoyed looking through it, but actually sewing something from it is another matter. The pattern sheet is appalling. All the pattern lines look the same and it is very hard to trace. I used the most transparent paper I have - greaseproof baking paper and traced the scarf tie top and got myself in knots trying to work out which line to follow to make the dart/button placket on one side. It is a major disappointment that who ever designed this pattern sheet could not use dots/dashes or different line thicknesses to delineate different pattern pieces/sizes.The other main issue is that I expected that since it was translated to english the patterns would be for a taller person - they are scaled for an average height of only 160cm. This is not an average height in the normal pattern world.Anyway some interesting ideas but actually perserving through the trial and error and inevitable muslin making to get the fit right is another thing altogether since it is made so much harder by the poor pattern sheet.

I had been looking forward to receiving this book, and when I opened it today I was not disappointed. Finally, some clothes and accessories that I would actually consider wearing. I am bored to death with patterns that look like everything else and have already been done a thousand ways before. I am an average sized woman in my 50's who likes simple, comfortable clothes that don't look frumpy or scream "look at me". I am not an experienced sewist (sewer? seamstress?), but the diagrams and instructions seem straightforward and do-able. I am looking forward to making many of the designs in this book.Okay, update. I had not looked at the actual patterns before leaving my original review. I must agree with the other reviewers that the patterns would be difficult to use, especially for a novice sewer like myself. Serious seamstresses are frustrated by the patterns, so I'm sure I'd be in tearing my hair out trying to figure them out. I do still like the styles, though.

The patterns are lovely, relatively easy, great if you like to hide your body, in a modern chic way.So here's the thing. I bought this pattern book for the pants on the cover. Guess what, there is no pattern for the pants on the cover.

My experience with this book has been frustrating and disappointing. I LOVE the designs, but the time and effort needed to highlight pattern lines, trace patterns, and add varying seam allowances even on the same garment was exhausting--and that was before the cutting and sewing even began. Once that was done, I found the directions and accompanying diagrams both confusing and incomplete. I've made 4 items so far, and couldn't fit into my favorite--the back-twist top--despite some careful measuring. I think a small fortune could be made by an American pattern company who received the rights to print full patterns and step-by-step instructions for these designs. I've found nothing in the popular catalogs to rival the looks in Shape Shape, but once I finish the blouse I'm working on, I'll probably wash my hands of the rest. To the designer's credit, I should add that the two messenger bags I made for my daughter are a constant source of compliments.

Dressmaking enthusiasts keen to create the unusual designs in this book have been using the original Japanese edition for several years. Also keen but not quite that keen, I have waited for the English version, and I am really pleased with it. It is easy to trace the full-size patterns from pattern sheet. (If you have traced a Burda pattern and despaired, you will find these are FAR easier). Make-up is straightforward with concise instructions. I would recommend trying one of the looser tops first to get a sense of sizing. It's possible to see some some pages on [...] where there is an editorial review of the book together with some examples which members have made up. The book contains 19 designs. To me the most interesting are the blouses, and the good layering pieces described as stoles, shrug, and vest, all easy to integrate with an existing wardrobe. There are also four skirts, a pair of trousers, various scarves and a bag. It is likely that most people would find something here to make.

Really interesting range of designs, combining really simple shapes and forms to make adaptable, interesting clothing items that you'll never find in a high street shop. Construction methods are kept simple and unfussy and the end result is architectural, clean lines that can be adapted to personal tastes.

every makers home should have a copy. quirky and stylish - a really great book for showing what can be done simply

I bought this book recently and have only made two garments from it but the instructions are very clear and the patterns are very well designed. The book is beautiful too. I love the simple styling.It is probably not the best book for beginners because many of the projects assume you already have some basic skills.

I have wanted to buy this book for some time and was just recently able to purchase a copy. I was so excited to make the pants shown on the front. You can imagine my disappointment when I discovered it was not in there. There is a pants pattern, but that is for a very simply drawstring-waist pant.Very sad.As far as the rest of the patterns go I was not that interested.If any of my fellow sewers out there know where I can find a pattern for pants like those pictured on the cover, I'm still looking and would greatly appreciate it! :)