What is Reddit's opinion of Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom?

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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.

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.

I love the books by Yoshiko Tsukiori, including:

Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom

Sweet Dress Book: 23 Dresses of Pattern Arrangement

Amazon carries more by her and others.

Men's patterns are less common, but here are two:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/61669506/mens-coat-by-ryuichiro-shimazaki

https://www.amazon.com/Otoko-No-Shatsu-Hon/dp/4579111109/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BERT1MM1RQ2Q1PQ491P0

You will find many Japanese pattern books and magazines on Etsy and eBay. Pomadour24 on Etsy carries a lot.

This blog reviews books and magazines.

On this French-language blog, people post the things they've made. A number refers to the book and the style.

Some of the books are only in Japanese, but many people are able to follow the drawings. Lots of sites provide guidance. Some are in French. Increasing numbers are being translated into English.

If you're interested in pattern magazines, I assume you know that you have to trace the pattern. I love the sturdy pattern paper that Japanese pattern book patterns are printed on and the way they can be easily folded back up when you're done traciing. If you find some books you like they can be really economical to use.

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".

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.

It's hard to make a recommendation without knowing your taste. Are you looking for tops, blouses, skirts, dresses, pants?

You might want to look at Japanese pattern books. Two I like are Stylish Dress Book: Wear With Freedom and Sweet Dress Book: 23 Dresses of Pattern Arrangement. They have numerous patterns. To see real-life examples of patterns from these and many other books go to the Japan Couture Addicts website.

In general, to make a garment younger in feeling you use brighter colors, more whimsical patterns, and more flourishes like ruffles and bows.

I've been reading about them and looking at them for ages. I finally bought one last month, although I haven't used it yet. http://www.amazon.com/Stylish-Dress-Book-Wear-Freedom/dp/0804843155

An increasing number are in English, some are in French.

Yes, you must trace the pattern and make a muslin first.

I assume you know that you almost always have to add the seam allowances.

Linens for Less is an inexpensive choice for linen. Some blogs recommend SuperBuzzy and Naniro for Japanese clothing.

Japan Couture Addicts is a French blog on which members post projects made from pattern books. japancouture.canalblog.com

I enjoy this blog: http://www.japanesesewingbooks.com/