Pattern Magic

While the CONCEPTS of pattern design and manipulation described in this book may someday be useful to me, the actual designs the author demonstrates are largely beyond the bizzare, and the fabrics she chooses may show off the design, but many look like uncomfortable upolstery or home dec fabrics. I suppose if one aspires to do costuming for futuristic science-fiction movies,this book may be more valuable.

To those who might be interested, while my experience may have be unrepresentative of the average purchase, I'd like to warn you nonetheless. This pattern book is shipped in a cheap envelope with a paperback cover. The combination of the two led to a lack luster Christmas gift, seeing that some point in the handling process the package was not necessarily handled with care.

The pattern book arrived with a huge gash, in the spine, that seemed to make its way through half the patterns in the book. They were not unusable, but it is an inconvenience nevertheless.

That aside the book itself is quite nice. 3/5 stars

I was a professional pattern maker in the NYC garment center for twenty years. I worked to Pierre Cardin Couture, Halston and Oscar De Lenta.
The most styles portrayed on this book are not adaptable to a non asian body. The designs are reminiscent of the geishas and are in no way practical for the twenty first century. I wanted to see this book because it has high ratings but am very disappointed .As a pattern maker I would never use these instructions, nor see anyone wear a hide and seek pinafore, an otoshiana, or a dress with a shirred hole in the side.
From a professional stand point this book is ridiculous and can only serve to drive anyone following these instructions insane. Not one of the imagined garments are shown upon a real woman's body.
Pattern making involves draping, incorporating the qualities of the fabric into the design and engineering the pattern to enable the garment to be actually produced as a finished product, be figure flattering and wearable.
This book accomplishes none of this criteria. I did not see one finished garment.

Very interestring sewing concepts.  Sewing with thinking outside the box.  Very good instructions. Excellent photos, easy to understand. Anxious to try the patterns and different sewing ideas.

Saw this book at a friends house(the Japanese version) and immediately put it on my wishlist; never seen such an original but easy to understand pattern-book. I have more Japanese patteren-books and even without being able to read Japanese these books are easier to understand -the construction of the patterns- than the average western pattern-description. This book also inspires you to design your own patterns.

Absolutely wonderful book. Not exactly for a beginner but she shows you what you need to know to get you started in altering patterns to whole new designs. Understanding basic garment construction is a must and this will take you to the next level. Have fun!

There are many words to describe this book. Mine is: Magnificent!!!!!Bravo and thank you miss Tacamichi!!! The book takes you thrue a magic adventure in pattern making, oppening a whole wide world of new and different ideas. Miss Tacamichi shows us the arquitectural part of pattern making and do not leave us a doubt that: pattern making is not only a technical part of fashion, but...and art!!!

Unless you have some secret desire to wear lumpy origami don't bother with this book. Really just a thought exercise, no one would ever want to wear *any* of these "fashions". Save your money. If I could give this a minus star I would. I like interesting clothes, but these designs really are scupture more than anthing meant to be worn. Maybe it's for you, me, I was hoping for some inspiration for actual wearing.