Book Review–Stylish Dress Book

Thursday, February 20, 2014

I sewed something for me again, and I even modeled it this time. Yikes! Tuttle Publishing sent me Stylish Dress Book: Wear with Freedom (affiliate link) by Yoshiko Tsukiori for review. This is another Japanese sewing pattern book that has been released in English. There is a total of 26 patterns is sizes 6 to 16. So many of the styles are perfect for layering and leggings.


Stylish Dress Book Review


This is the same tunic as the cover photo. A quick Pinterest search showed a bunch of these sewn up. I especially like the sleeveless versions.


Stylish Dress Book Review


This is another fun layering piece.


Stylish Dress Book Review


I love the pleating details on this tunic sewn with knits.


Stylish Dress Book Review


This is the dress I selected to sew up for the review.


Stylish Dress Book Review


For many of the looks, you really need to check out the diagrams to get the details. I totally missed the fun sleeve ties and slits in the photo. As with all the Japanese patterns I’ve sewn with, the sewing instructions are short and minimal. The detailed diagrams always seem to make up for the lack of verbiage.


Stylish Dress Book Review


So, here’s the awkward moment where I post pictures of myself on my blog.


Stylish Dress Book Pattern F


I sewed the top per the instructions with the exceptions of making it tunic length opposed to a full dress. I love this loose woven fabric I found at Walmart. And, at $3 for 2 yards I opted to go ahead without sewing a muslin. The trickiest part was sewing the curved hems at the sleeves with suck a loose woven, but it all worked out in the end.

Stylish Dress Book Pattern F


Turns out I haven’t quite got the sizing down, but this one is SOOOO close. According to my measurements I would be a size 12, but I know these patterns tend to have a looser fit for my taste. By comparing a shirt that I liked the fit with the pattern pieces, I thought I’d be somewhere between an 8 and 10.  I opted to sew up a size 10 and not add in the seam allowance (which normally needs to be added to each pattern piece.) It actually fits everywhere except across the shoulders. It’s a tad tight and pulls a bit. Guess I’ll be adding in those seam allowances next time around. Any tips for widening the shoulders without adding much to the chest would be appreciated.


Stylish Dress Book Pattern F


Back to the book, the patterns can be found on 3 pattern sheets in an envelope at the back of the book. As with Happy Homemade Sew Chic, several of the pattern shapes overlap for various styles.


Stylish Dress Book Review


For reference, this is the sizing chart provided.


Stylish Dress Book Review


I’m always a bit jealous of how frequently my daughter’s wardrobes get added to with my sewing. Not sure sewing for me will be a new trend, but it’s good to know the potential!


I received the book, Stylish Dress Book, for free from Tuttle Publishing. All opinions provided are my own. I will only recommend products that I would use personally and are good for my readers.

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