Pattern Magic #3 -Book Review

Of all three Japanese Pattern magic books this has been my favorite so far.  I think because it hits really close to home for me combining the elements of drafting with draping.  Things that I can describe to other people or draw out but then they question me if that is really the right shape.  This book solidifies that I have been right in 98% of my freehand flat designs.

This book like the previous ones has very simple and clean photos on mannequins or models that show off just the clothing and not anything else.  The language of this book doesn't matter so much because the photos are so well done and the pattern details are clearly pictured.  I find that a lot of English patterns are too wordy and get more confusing to transcribe then they are to actually piece and sew together.

Here is a representation of how to take a plain pants block and spruce it up with some simple slash and spread on one side giving the pants that Ruching look.  Easy to do right?  as long as you get the general concepts and aren't afraid of the weird shapes you can do so many amazing things with drafting off of the simple block.

I like how in the picture below it shows all the different possibilities for the one pattern.  The idea of taking one garment and styling and wearing it in so many different options is something I look for in my personal wardrobe all the time.

 

I would say that if you are really interested in Pattern drafting and fashion design this book, well this entire series of books is a great investment.  The first two books Pattern Magic 1&2 can now be found in translated into English now on Amazon.

In my world today

There hasn't been a lot of personal stuff on the blog lately because a lot of it is hush hush or I'm so cussing busy that I can't see straight therefore I don't want to talk about it.

Well today I am going to talk a little bit about what I can.
We are currently on week # 2 of fostering this darling kitten.  She came to us as Fluffy and we have since re-named her Miss Rambo Fluffington the 1st or Rambo for short.  The Fiancee could not endure her to have a sweet pretty name so he chose Rambo, we just needed a more formal title to get along with the rest of the family.

Our other two kitties are the wiley looking woodland creature Sir Benjamin Franklin and the always proper Orange girl Princess Sophia Loren, or Franklin & Sophie aka Stankles and Chubbs.

Suffice to say she is a keeper and we are going to officially adopt her after she is fixed.

I am amidst another semester of teaching at CCAD for Pattern Drafting and Construction.  It is going well but I was in a bit of a funk at the beginning.  I think the break from winter accompanied by all the wedding planning was making me feel bogged down and not mentally prepared for this semester but I am totally on board now mentally and things are wonderful.  The summer CE classes for Pattern Drafting and Construction as well as my Draping into Pattern class are now open here if you want to apply!  Also this summer I am doing the High School 10-12 grade work shop and College Preview once again.  College Preview is probably one of my favorite programs to be a teacher in at CCAD.

I have been working on writing my testimonial for a international sewing machine company and there are several other exciting projects that may come from them as well.  I've already been talking to a company rep so it's another great thing in the works.  Once it's official you can expect a ton of awesome things.

I have some repeat client work gearing up for spring/summer.  Along with new client projects and work which is very hush hush right now ( I know it's sooo boring when I say Hush Hush but it just means it'll be that much better when I can talk about it).

Oh and I am going to be a guest lecture/workshop teacher for a local Private High School on Fashion design and the Pattern drafting process.  We are just sorting out the details.

I will have a great review about a Class I took at the Columbus Idea Foundry this week on Laser Cutting so look forward to it!

I am currently avoiding my wedding planning again...... perhaps later this week I will get back on board but I have a Jacket for a friend to finish.  It's a variation off of my Fencer Jacket.

Pen Obsession

I have this bad obsession with pens.  I used to collect them in every style and every color whenever I would visit Korea or in Japan during my layover on my way to and from Korea.  It started off innocent enough where I would buy a little box set of marbled or scented gel rollerball pens.

Photo from Jetpens

At this time I was also collecting Stickers and Stationary.  I think it was left over habits from before the days when everyone was connected and had e.mail.  I remember in middle school and even high school having a steady supply of these things and writing letters to friends.  That was justifiable back then.  Now it is simply an obsession with color, design and tactile feel.  It is extremely pleasing to me to hold a handful of the same pen in every color combination and look at it with my thoughts racing of the possibilities of things I could write or draw.  I have a personal journal that I keep outside of everything where I write in it with all different color pens and also keep scraps, memento's and such in it.  That barely justifies the amount of pens I have unfortunately.  I won a contest from my favorite pen store Jet Pens last year which was awesome but also slightly embarassing as it was directly related to my obsession with pens.

This Photo is what won me my gift card.

Pilot Hi-tec Pens

I have found a little bit more of justification for the pens, I need them to sketch! and to add color to my design work since I don't believe in full color just hints to get the feel of what it should be.  Some of the pens are also awesome for keeping track of which patterns go together by writing them in corresponding colors.  I have been good and not needed to get a matching mechanical pencil with every pen (that's something I used to do all the time).  Lately it's mostly pens and then I'll select a single glorious pencil or eraser once in a while.

My most recent Mechanical pencol was the Delful.

Which you see nestled here amongst my stock up of erasers (because they are no longer going to be able to import them).  This pen is unique due to it's weight and smooth feeling.  It is what is referred to as a "knock" pencil.  There is a weight on the inside so instead of pumping the clicker on top you simple shake the pencil to advance the lead.  This "knock" feature is my favorite while I am working on patterns because I can seamlessly keep working without being frustrated clicking the pen and moving my hand position.

But out of gluttony I just recieved these beauties in the mail. 

Frixxon Makers

Donut Tape Dispenser

Super Slim ballpoint pen 0.38 mm

I am absolutely in love with the Frixxon markers and pens.  They have a unique ink that disappears with friction/heat and then will reappear in the cold (real cold like a freezer).  They are one of the few erasable pens that actually do erase with barely to no marks (depending how heavy your hand is on the paper with imprints).   I like to use them on my muslins since the ink also writes well on fabrics.  It's fun to watch it steam off but I still need to test if they are usable as replacement marking pens because if someone were to wear a garment in winter and all the notation show up again that would be unfortunate.  Or possibly really cool, like hypercolor t-shirts but not so cheesy.

Aren't they so pretty? ~droool~