Shape Shape: Sewing Clothing Patterns to Wear Multiple Ways [Paperback]

I was thrilled to find out that this book is an English translation of the book "Unique Clothes Any Way You Like." Carolyn from Australia, one of my favorite sewing bloggers, has been making beautiful garments from this book, but tracking Japanese copies seemed very difficult. Amazon won't let me insert a link to her blog, but you can find her by looking for "Handmade by Carolyn." It's a truly inspirational blog and she has made several of the patterns from the book (so you can see what they look like from multiple angles!).

On to the book itself: I am currently making blouse #16, the twisted back blouse, and the pieces seem to go together well. The pattern pieces were easy to trace, but I am quite used to tracing Japanese or German (Burda!) patterns. Don't forget to add seam allowances! On the bright side, you can add your favorite width for the allowances. The instructions are thorough enough - they do assume that you have some sewing experience but still describe the order of steps.

If you are looking for the same old "Misses' knit top" pattern that the Big 4 seem to be putting out every day and that looks like you could have bought it at the mall, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for very detailed instructions where every step is illustrated, this is also not the right book. If you want some interesting clothes and accessories, though, and are not afraid to do some thinking, this book will be a delight. It is true that the sizes are limited, but I don't think it would be too difficult to grade up. I wish the translators had not given the impression that the garments are convertible, though - some are, but some are not. If you can appreciate the unique construction and details, you will enjoy this book.

I am iffy about this book. I have bought Japanese sewing books before and therefore am prepared for the patterns to be made for someone slighter and shorter than myself - but I can usually use their large or XL. In this case, the large is same as medium in other books, and there is no XL. That's one bad point.

Another thing is that there are not that many clothing patterns - three long skirts which are cute, two long sleeved and very normal shirts which are exactly the same except one has ONE coloured cuff and the other has a removable button on coloured pocket - meh. Then there's a twisted blouse which is very Japanese cool, and a pair of very ordinary drawtring pants which have a patchwork yoke. A reversible blouse - very shapeless sleeveless top which is shown worn with the placket in front and behind - at least this one is shown in different views! And my favourite, a more shapely sleeveless blouse with scarves attached to the shoulders - very cute. Oh, and stupid little tiny wrap apron skirt which has to be worn over leggings to be halfway decent.

The rest are wraps, a shrug, cute spiral scarf,a couple of tote bags, a reversible collar blabla.... what is really annoying is that although they show umpteen pictures of a stole which is a big circle with a hole in it, and then don't show what exactly is two way about the tote bag or the messenger bag. Or how the three long skirts look when worn differently. What a misnomer- wear multiple ways - the whole title of the book is misleading!

The pattern sheet is awful. How dare Interweave publish such a terrible pattern sheet? It is standard to use different coloured lines or different symbols to show what's what. This pattern uses the same line all the way - ridiculous!

It's only getting 2 stars from me instead of one because I like the way the long skirts look, am hoping to make the cute scarf top and love the reversible collar. I shall have to trace the patterns on a bright day and hope for the best.....

I really dislike leaving bad reviews, as once a book goes into production often the author has little say over how it is presented....but Interweave Press has grossly mislead us in this case and it simply must be said how terrible this book is as it is presented. The concept of the book is awesome - if indeed convertibility were the concept of this book, but it is NOT! There are very few items in here that convert or transform into another option. In most cases, the other option is simply that it is reversible with a different fabric. Also, very few of the 19 designs are shown in more than one way. Really? No photographs to show the transformations - cheap! At most, 2-3 of the projects have a photograph with the 2nd option. But I don't consider a skirt worn with joining in front, and then the joining in back to be authentically convertible. I mean c'mon.