I’ve done a few designs using this technique and I love the way it creates really sculptural shapes. The first book teaches how to insert knots, twists, cubes, holes, craters etc into your basic bodice. I mean, the book gives you the technique, but you can place the cuts differently, add more (or less) volume than it says and so on. All the basic information you need to start pattern cutting is included, from the basic block to measurements and scaling. In the series, Tomoko Nakamichi has written4books, 3 which usewoven fabrics and one of which usesstretch fabrics.

There are others, too, but what I love about these in particular, is that instead of just giving you the finished pattern to copy, the book explains how to draft it yourself! Having made a few of these designs, my advice would be toalways label your pattern pieces, use more notches than you've ever used before and numberthe corresponding notches.You can create a garment by cutting, moving and reassemblingthe piecesof a pattern, just like the pieces of. It’s mostly flat-patternmaking, although many times it looks like one would have to drape to get such results.

Here you can see my versions, where I multiplied the folds and changed the amount of volume and their placement. The connectionbetweenthe sectionthat is visiblefrom the front and the sectionconcealedunderneathis important. It's such an intriguing design,at first look the pocket looks normaland then upon looking again it just disappearsinto the garment. Each project is beautifully illustrated with clear diagrams and photographs showing the stages of construction, the muslins, and the finished garments. This dress below, from Pattern Magic, is one design that I found to require numerous numbered notches since once you've dissected the pattern and cut it out of fabric, matching the curves becomes a lot more tricky.

This content was uploaded by our users and we assume good faith they have the permission to share this book. Intimidating and inspirational at the same time, Pattern Magic is not so much a "read" as a "see and ponder.