Today I get to review The Magic Pattern Book by Amy Barickman (affiliate link). Full disclosure: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher, but all opinions are my own.
I’m also giving away a copy of the book, so make sure to read through the whole post so you can find out how to win.
I LOVE the concept behind this book. The basic idea is that with 6 patterns (tank, skirt, dress, cardigan, coat, accessories) you can make 36 things (image courtesy Workman Publishing Co.)
Which is awesome! The book gives you further customization options for each pattern with fabric suggestions. I think these illustrations really help get the idea across about just how much a pattern can change based on fabric choices.
I also like that the book pages are color coded – for each of the 6 patterns. There’s a good sized section at the front (the white part) that covers sewing basics, tools, fabric, measuring, finishing techniques, etc. It’s a ton of information laid out really succinctly.
The patterns in the book are on a CD in the back.
Which is actually one thing I’m not crazy about – if I’m buying a book, I’d rather have paper pattern sheets. At least they each have an outline page at the front of each PDF, so you can see what you’re printing. BUT the test square is often not on the first page of the pattern, so you have to search for it to make sure you’re printing correctly. Beyond that, they print and go together fairly easily, with border markings and numbered diamonds to match pages.
I haven’t yet sewn anything from the book, but I do have a caveat about sizing – instead of a size chart like most books, each pattern includes finished measurements. While this is useful, you also have to guess about how much ease you want each pattern to have since base sizing wasn’t provided. For example, the Alice Tank, which is the first pattern, has a finished bust of 38″ for the small version. But then you have to guess based on the pictures how much ease that should be over your normal measurements (and based on the photo of that pattern, my guess would be that you need 2-4 inches of ease for that particular pattern, meaning that a size small would correspond to a 34-36″ bust). Sizes listed are small through XXL.
I kept flipping back and forth through the book trying to choose a project, and I think my first one will probably be the Farrah tote bag. It’s nice that there are accessories included in the book as well as basic wardrobe pieces.
Want to see what others think about the book? I’m one of the first stops, but I’ve got links below for a whole bunch of other opinions.
Official Tour Stops on Amy Barickman’s THE MAGIC PATTERN BOOK Blog Tour:
October 6 AMYBARICKMAN.COM
October 7 WINDY LOU
October 8 MELLY SEWS
October 9 CRAFT GOSSIP
October 10 SEW MAMA SEW
October 13 ADVENTURES OF A DIY MOM
October 14 LILACS & LACE
October 15 FOUR SQUARE WALLS
October 16 PINK CHALK STUDIO
October 17 CITY STITCHING with CHRISTINE HAYNES
October 20 CUT OUT & KEEP
October 21 HE SOWED, SHE SEWED
October 22 CHIC STEALS
October 23 THREADS
October 24 INDYGO JUNCTION
Want to win a copy of The Magic Pattern Book (affiliate link)? Just enter your email in the form below to subscribe to my blog and pattern shop newsletters.
Rules: Open to U.S. Residents only, age 18 and over. Void where prohibited by law. One winner will be randomly drawn to receive a complimentary copy of The Magic Pattern Book. Giveaway closes October 17, 2014, at 9 pm Central time.
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Penny
Looks like a great book – lots of fun fashions to sew, now to just find the time! Thanks for the chance to win.
Christy
Looks like a really neat book – thanks lovely!! Love to see what you sew from it. Xoxo
Dottie K
Oh dear, think it will be interesting as I have almost no bust. Guess I’ll just have 2″ of ease in the blouse. LOL
The idea of having patterns for a whole wardrobe is just fantastic!
Judi
What a terrific book. I want one!
Debbie
I haven’t sewn clothing in a long time but this book makes it look so interesting and refreshing again that I would love to give it a try! Thanks for the chance to win!
Cindi
Looks like an awesome book to have!
Georgie
Thanks for the informative review. Would LOVE to win. Georgie
Corinne
I appreciate your review. It looks like a useful and versatile book. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Val
I love this I actually do hair and when I was in school we learned that every haircut every style out there is just a variation of one of only 5 haircuts, so this makes absolute sense to me
QUILTER4CHARITY
Wow! That’s quite a pattern book! Can’t wait to see it.
Laura Phipps
Looks like a wonderful book, filled with a lot of options. Great review!
Laura
Francine
Sounds like a wonderful resource. Thank you for
your review and the giveaway opportunity.
Jillian Hollmann
Looks good — hope I win! Thanks for the clear review!
PS I just finished a Sleepy Robe from your free pattern & I love it!!! Thanks so much. I’ll be blogging about it soon… http://www.jillianhollmann.com/blog
Christina Y.
Looks like so much fun! I’m always on the lookout for patterns that are easy to modify. 🙂
Marley Tarlton
Melly,
Hello my dear, you are great with all this you do for us, I thank God for you..
I am disabled, so I sew, quilt, crochet, and make jewelry………..ALSO
MAKE BEADS FROM PAPER………..NEAT, HUH???
I love staying busy as much as I can, it helps me thru my pain, as I have had
surgery on
BACK times 5………NECK X 3, STILL HAVE SCREWS AND PLATE………. SHOULDERS X 2…………..KNEES X 2
PLUS THE DOCTOR SAID, I NEED KNEE REPLACEMENT
HANDS X 2
NOT COUNTING ALL THE FEMALE SURGERY THERE IS TO HAVE
PLUS BROKE MY RIGHT LEG IN CAR ACCIDENT
PLUS, NOW YOU SEE HOW I NEED TO STAY BUSY
AND WOULD LOVE YOUR FREE BOOK……….
GOD BLESS YOU
I AM A GRANDMOTHER OF 6 WONDERFUL CURTAIN CLIMBERS
(JOKE) I LOVE THEM ALL
MARLEY TARLTON
Danita
Thanks for the review and highlights! I would love to add this sewing book to my collection! Thanks for the opportunity!
Rebecca H.
Looks like a great book. I suppose the good part about having the pattern pieces is that you can print only the patterns you want…and you would have a backup incase the printed pieces were damaged. But I am the same; I would prefer the pattern pieces on paper. Thanks for sharing your review and the chance to win 🙂
Gloria Cotten
Excellent review! Thanks for sharing and for the give-away!
Cristi
I really like the concept of a full wardrobe. If you are planning a lifestyle change and losing weight, this can be very handy. Sew the piece you want or need while your sizes change. Thank you for the giveaway and review! You are a generous sewer and blogger!
Linda Fleming
Interesting book to have – I’d love to make clothes for my self again!
nancy
I generally make my own patterns but it’s always fun to try out something new too!Looks really interesting!
Gayle
Would love the book as a pensioner who finds patterns too expensive to buy singly. Your great review will help to make sense of the sizing to make wearable items. Thanks
Pennyp
I love that you threw in one of your not so favorite aspects about the book. That’s a true review! This reminds me that I have a vintage book I should dig out and look through! Can’t wait to see what you sew!!
Shahi
I would love to have this book . Looking forward to see what you are going to sew .
Rebecca
New to your website and I’m glad to have found it. Thanks for the great tips and the opportunity to enter the drawing.
Heather R.
I love your blog, and visit almost daily- you do great stuff! Thanks for the review of the book, and the free download, too. 🙂 As soon as the canning is done for the season, I need to make winter tunics. It’s going to be fun to see what you make from this book, because you always make such nice clothing. Have a great day, and thanks again!
-Heather R., the Real Leopardstripes
Michele
What a cool concept! So glad I found you.