****THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED****
Hi, guys! I’m back with another giveaway! I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of Drape Drape 2 from Laurence King Publishing, and I can give a copy to you, too! But first– let’s have a little book club discussion, alright?
Is it weird that this book has only white models?
I’ll start off by saying that I know NOTHING about draping and have never tried it, so I was interested to learn more about the process. However, the book isn’t actually about draping! The author, Hisako Sato, describes “drape drape” as the process of combining tucks, gathering, twists, and slack fabric to create a look. There are full-size patterns included for the 14 garments pictured in the book, which is nice, although they aren’t all multi-sized.
These relaxed styles favor knits, although there are a few patterns for wovens, including the skirt with the draped flounce pictured above. The pieces are all really unique and interesting, although they may not be for you if you don’t like to have lots of fabric drawing attention to some parts of your body (for example, in the skirt above, you can see all the gathering around the waist and high hip– might not be everyone’s favorite place to emphasize).
There’s a nice tension between simplicity and detail in these designs. Some of the garments are surprisingly easy to execute, like the skirt on the right, which is constructed with one pattern piece and a rectangular, elasticized waistband. Yet it’s a delicate, feminine skirt, and way cuter than you would imagine a knit, elastic-waist mini would be!
One drawback of the book is that the sizing is really limited. An XL in this book is for measurements 35″/30″/38″! I’ve heard this can be an issue with Japanese pattern books, but I was still pretty surprised. However, the patterns seem really easy to grade up a bit if you wear a larger size, and there is quite a bit of ease built into most of these styles.
I really liked seeing the diagrams and flat patterns transformed into garments (Amy put her own spin on the pattern shown above– check it out!). Sometimes it’s hard for me to visualize how a garment is constructed, so it’s really fun to see how the designer achieved some of these fascinating styles. I’ve earmarked a few patterns to make down the road, but even if I never get around to making them, I still feel like I’ve learned something from this book. I could see myself referring to it from time to time when drafting my own patterns.
What do you think? Are these styles for you? Have you used any kind of Japanese pattern books before?
Alright, let’s get back to the giveaway! If you’d like to be entered in the giveaway, let me know in the comments below! I’ll send it anywhere in the world. 🙂 Let’s keep the giveaway open until Tuesday the 20th at 11:59PM EST, then I’ll draw a winner! Good luck!
Ginger Makes... 
count me in..
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I am a big fan of Japanese pattern books- my favourite is “Nooy” but I also love Pattern Magic 1 & 2. The sizing is an octave on the small side, but like you said, there is a lot of ease built into these patterns. I’ve been wanting to try one of the Drape Drape books- so I hope I win!
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I would love to win a copy. Thank you for hosting the give away!
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I don’t want to win the book as I already have a copy 🙂 I have made the tshirt several times and the first skirt which sewed up really nicely but has now ripped in the front. Should have reinforced that seam! Have a go at sewing from it, they are surprisingly easy to follow.
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I would love a copy of this book! I already have drape drape 1 and love the dress I have made from it!
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I was interested to read your review as I was intrigued bt this book. I have sewn from only one japanese book “Simple modern sewing”, I found it straightforward and easy but then it does have the word simple in the title! I think the sizing was adjusted for western figures in my book. xx
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I might be too late but I want this book bad.
gimme.
please
; )
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I would like to be added to the list too please! (though am I too late? not sure when EST 11.59pm falls). Would love to see what styles you come up with from this book. Some of the shapes look really interesting but personally would need to avoid bloated days if wearing anything that accentuates certain curves, ho hum. x katy ps love your blog ginger, if you have room in your reading list for another I’m taking my first tentative blogging steps at i-of-theneedle.blogspot 🙂
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I would love to get my hands on this book so yes, please enter me into the giveaway. I think you know where to contact me if I win 🙂
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I’ve been super curious about this book for a while… seems like you could make some kinda cool, kinda modern comfy basics that don’t look like your regular t-shirt. Throw my name in the ring please!
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If it’s not too late, throw me in the ring, too. I love the drapey t-shirts you and your sister made. I keep trying to join the dolman sleeve trend, but they just don’t suit me.
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Oh wow, I would luuuuuurrrrrvvvve a copy of this book! Fingers crossed…..
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This book looks great! I’ve been really self conscious about my muffin top lately, and I think it probably has something to do with not making clothes that fit. This Drape Drape 2 book with the drapey tops looks promising!
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that draped flounce skirt is super cool! I have Pattern Magic though my sewing machine is currently far from me so have not yet made anything from it.
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I would love to win that book! Thanks for the chance!
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I would LOVE to win this book. I have seen such beautiful creations from Carolyn in Australia. Thanks for this giveaway! Ingrid
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