The best Children's Fashion Crafts books: Reddit reviews

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Picture 1 is the costume I made and picture 2 is the actual costume from the film.

I made this costume from a self drafted patterns. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1) For this costume I drafted a historical frock coat, trousers waistcoat and shirt. I drafted basic blocks from this book and adapted them to what I needed.

The jacket is made from a checked wool and the trousers are made from a striped wool. The waistcoat is made from a black and silver floral brocade and the shirt is made from turquoise cotton. All these fabrics came from Minerva crafts. The neck tie is a black Liquorice allsorts pattern cotton that came from Etsy.

The trousers feature embroidery on one of the legs and the coat and waistcoat feature pockets.

This costume was made for my final major project at university and it turned out really well and I am sooo proud of what I accomplished with this costume!

I made these from a self drafted patterns. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1)

The shirt is made from white satin from fabric land and features a collar and button stand.

The grey top is made from a ribbed jersey from fabric land and features a collar and centre front zip.

The waistcoat is made from black and silver floral brocade and polyester lining from Minerva Crafts and features 4 pockets in the front.

I am a fairly experienced sewer so these was pretty easy to make and was all loads of fun to make. My boyfriend absolutely loves them!!

I don't subscribe to any magazines. I had a subscription to Threads years ago and there were too many styles that looked home ecky. The Burda patterns usually don't interest me. I don't usually like Vogue patterns, so I've never read the magazine.

Occasionally, I'll see an interesting review of a magazine pattern on a site like Japanese Sewing Books and will save it.

I have a small library of basic patterns and also like Japanese sewing books, such as "Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom".

metric pattern cutting for menswear

The womenswear version is great. If the mens version is anything like it, I’d recommend it as a staple.

So the base pattern is from The Girls Style book dress F but heavily modified. Stripe fabric is a recycled IKEA pillow case that was part of the first set of linens I bought when I moved out of my parents house. The purple and pink fabric and the cupcake ribbon I got at my favorite thrift store craft room. Notions from my hoard. I did some stash busting with this project and am proud of that. Birthday girl is having fun with it and asking to wear it to play in which is what really matters.

Here’s the pattern book. I’m looking forward to making some more outfits from it soon. https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Style-Book-Sewing-Patterns/dp/0804843279

Definitely look into vintage patterns then. They usually have much nicer details than what's currently available. You may still have to alter the pattern to fit you since many vintage patterns are smaller than current ones are. Plus size women's patterns are just as blocky and potato sack as plus size men's patterns. Do they think that plus sized people don't require professional clothing, have jobs or attend events they need to dress for?

Winifred Aldrich's Metric Pattern Cutting was suggested in this thread, but she has also written a book for menswear. I think that would be more appropriate for you. It uses metric measurements, but really, it's just a unit of measure. I'm American, but prefer metric because it's more accurate. Here's the Amazon link. I hope that helps you find something that fits you well.

Oh don't worry, a decent amount of professional pattern cutting is copying some vintage (or sometimes not vintage) garment anyways. I think copying clothes is a great way to start learning.

If you decide to learn, I've heard good things about the books by Winifred Aldrich. I use the Muller and Sohn books, but they're quite a bit more expensive.

If you ever need any help with patterns or making stuff feel free to DM me, I always like seeing other peoples work!

I just ordered these two Japanese sewing books!! 1 2 I remember I had an A-line elastic waist skirt I sewed as a teen, and I wore it for years...It was so sad when it finally fell apart. :(

I made this jacket from a self drafted pattern. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1)

For this jacket I used dark blue denim with a light blue stripe in it. I also used light blue denim. Both fabrics came from Minerva Crafts.

The fronts and the bottom of the back is made from the dark blue striped denim and the top of the back and the sleeves are made from the light blue denim.

This jacket includes a stand collar and two slit pockets on the inside of the front and two pockets in the side seams.

I am a fairly experienced sewer so this jacket was pretty easy to make and was all loads of fun to make. I hope my boyfriend loves it when I can eventually give it to him!!

This jacket was made from a self drafted pattern. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich to make the pattern (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617651525&sprefix=winifr&sr=8-2) This jacket was made from a green and brown dog tooth check wool from Minerva Crafts

It features a lapel collar, green buttons and pockets in the inside.

I am a fairly experienced sewer so this jacket was pretty easy to make!

I made this jacket from a self drafted pattern. I used a book called Metric Pattern Cutting for Menswear by Winifred Aldrich (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pattern-Cutting-Menswear-Winifred-Aldrich/dp/1405182938/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=winifred+aldrich&qid=1617566759&sprefix=winifre&sr=8-1)

For this jacket I used green cord and black denim for the outside of it. Both of these came from Minerva Crafts. The inside of the jacket is lined with more of the green cord and black fleece to make it nice and warm. The fleece also came from Minerva Crafts.

The buttons are black with a crown design on them and I got them from Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B07HDGJP64?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title)

This jacket includes a collar and two patch pockets.

I am a fairly experienced sewer so this jacket was pretty easy to make and was all loads of fun to make. I hope my boyfriend loves it when I can eventually give it to him!!

I would also ask in the Sewing Patterns Review forum. Woven fabrics are preferred for beginners.

I would look for something with a fitted bodice and a gathered skirt. Fitting the bodice will be challenge enough.

Japanese pattern book patterns are a favorite of mine and fairly simple, but I'm not sure that they flatter hourglass figures. Some American women find they don't provide a sufficiently wide range of sizes. One of my favorites is Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom by Yoshiko Tsukiori.

If you can afford it, I would recommend having someone draft a simple pattern for you. That way you will get exactly what you want within a reasonable period. A skirt would be a good pattern with which to start. Skirts are versatile, can be sewn many times with different fabrics and using variations. It may cost a couple of hundred dollars because it's a lot of work, but it would be worth it. You also should buy a couple of hours of instruction after the pattern is made. If that works out, you could have a dress, and then a top made. Some of what you pick up from having the pattern made on you will transfer to fitting commercial patterns.

To find someone, you can start with the local fashion college if it's good and ask for alumni contacts, there's also the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals, as well as pattern makers who do one-off work.

I suggest this option first because it takes people much longer than they think to be able to fit and construct a garment. Why waste time with lots of false fitting starts when you could be learning how to sew?

I love the look of Japanese books and you may be able to find many things you like. The only caveat is that the styles tend to be somewhat casual, which may or may not fit into your lifestyle. Many are still only in Japanese, but an increasing number have been translated. I recommend the "Sweet Dress Book" series by Yoshiko Tsukiori, especially the first book, "Wear with Freedom." Although Japanese pattern book patterns are casual and forgiving, they still have to be traced off, worked up into muslins and fitted.

As /u/kDycu noted, Japanese Sewing Books is a good site.

Pinterest, Etsy, and ebay are sources for books. Here's one Pinterest page.

Sewing Pattern Review is a good forum if you have fitting questions.

I agree that with free patterns you get you what you pay for. If you like the styles, I recommend Japanese pattern books. You trace the patterns. Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom is a popular one. This version has been translated into English.

These bags can be made by hand without a machine. A needle book would also be interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/Handmade-Bags-Natural-Fabrics-Easy-To-Make/dp/4805313161

http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/2011/10/needlebook-tutorial-by-nanacompany.html