Those of you who visit my blog regularly may have realized that I have been slow to update recently. My eldest was having her exams and I know it sounds ridiculous but it meant that I was not able to blog and sew as often as I liked since our “work areas” are next to each other and whatever I was doing distracted her from her revision (which was obviously a lot less interesting that whatever I was doing). The good news is, the exams are officially over and it means I’m back to regular schedule from next week onwards.
Anyway for this week I wanted to review another translated book by Tuttle. I once borrowed the Japanese version of this book from my friend, just to trace the pattern of the dress on the front page. But I never got around to making it because I did not have the right fabric, and somehow time went by and patterns get piled up faster than I have time to sew. I don’t even know where the pattern is now 🙁 Looks like I will have to trace it again because every time I see this cover I feel like making this dress!
The book is called Girls Style Book and it includes 24 patterns for girls in the following sizes.
Size 2-10 for heights 100-140cm. I’m so used to using cm so I’m really glad that they provide both sets of measurements even after translating. One reason why I don’t like sewing with english patterns is that I have to keep converting the units back to cm.
Let’s have a look through the book now shall we?
Dress with frilled collar. From the length it looks like a blouse but the title says dress. I guess you cane make it longer or shorter, it will work both as a blouse, tunic or a dress.
Smock-like blouse with front tucks. Notice the gathered details on the sleeves and the scalloped edge lace on the hem. So so sweet!
This is actually a variation of the blouse in B but in a longer length and in linen.
Classic dress with a linen ribbon tie and rounded collars.
Balloon dress with ribbon rosettes. Pattern for matching headband provided too! There is also another sleeveless balloon dress pattern (instead of straps) in the book so if you are a fan of the balloon dress, and have always wondered how to make it, you have to get this book!
Puffed-sleeve A-line dress. You can vary the fabric used to give it a more casual or formal look. This fabric is a summer weight wool, and the trim is made using Liberty fabric.
Patterns for the open back camisole, pants and the oh…the super cute hat are all provided!
Blouse with front and back gathers. You can’t really see it from the picture because of the printed fabric, but it is a really pretty blouse with front pockets and frills on the sleeves. There is also a ribbon tie at the back enclosure.
Blouse with gathered high waist, V-neck and frills on the shoulders. Do you like to use classic large floral prints on your little girls? It’s a really nice match for this pattern.
Straight line sundress. The sleeves and top edge of the dress is made really pretty with some eyelet lace and a length of ribbon weaving through it.
A very classic high waist gathered dress, a staple pattern for anyone sewing for little girls.
A-line sleeveless dress. Easy to wear, and easy to make!
Dress with embroidered front smocking and little bag. This pattern teaches you how to make the smocking pattern. Like in the real traditional needle embroidery method. It is tedious work but so pretty when finished.
An interesting dress made using a decorative edge fabric. The edges are used for the sleeves and neckline panels as well as the skirt edge of the dress. You could even adapt this pattern using a plain fabric with a co-ordinating fabric for the neckline panel behind the V-shape bodice panels for a completely different look!
For formal occasions, there is the long dress. The petal sleeves are beautiful! Be sure to use a fabric that has a bit of shape to help the petals stand out. The dress above is made in linen, but you easily create a more formal look by using a different type of fabric.
A black linen bolero and pinafore ensemble. Wear it separately or together for a more formal look. The bolero pattern on its own will also be useful for cold weather wear or an extra touch to a formal dress outfit.
Each of the patterns come with a set of instructions like the ones in the picture above. I don’t follow the cutting layouts strictly because I find that for smaller sizes, sometimes it is possible to use a lot less fabric than what is stated. But always refer to it before cutting out your patterns because you need to transfer the correct seam allowances to your patterns!
The patterns include diagrams for instructions. A close up of one of the diagrams is shown above.
Like all Tuttle books, there is a handy envelope at the back cover for storing your patterns.
Title : Girls Style Book
ISBN : 978-0804843270
Author : Yoshiko Tsukiori
Publisher : Tuttle Publishing
If you were to pick a pattern from this book for a sew along, which would it be?
21 Comments
this looks like something i need to buy! thanks for the review 🙂
I made dress A from this dress last year, and my daughter has worn it a lot. You can see a photo here:
http://floatingworld.typepad.com/floating_world_views/2012/11/poppy-dress.html
Would love a sew along with the smock blouse…but must source book first!
I have this book – and I love it. I’ve recently made this little top based on model L from the book
http://groovybabyandmama.blogspot.dk/2013/10/kcw-fall-day-3-4-top-skirt.html?m=1
The patterns run a little roomy and large and my tall 127 cm 6 year old has no problem fitting the size 6 patterns.
For a sewalong, blouse B. It seems to have more parts that people would need explained. It’s super cute too!!
I love the bubble dress and any of the sundresses just look lovely and easy wearing!
I just bought this book and love it!
It was so hard for me to pick one project to start with… But I made the smock-like blouse and it looks lovely on my daughter. This was the first time I was sewing with a (translated) Japanese sewing pattern and loved it!
I’ve just bought this book and I’m going to start with dress P. I’m a beginner and was wondering if I have to add a hem allowance as well as a seam allowance? thanks heaps in advance.
Hi Lynda,
For Japanese patterns the seam allowances are not included in the pattern sheets. You have to refer to the cutting layout diagram to see how much seam allowance to add.
In Japanese sewing books there is usually a foot note that says – if the seam allowance is not specified, use 1cm. Otherwise you have to look out for the numbers that are written next to the seam/hem line.
For the English translated book, I noticed that they have added the numbers to all the edges. Look out for the numbers with a line pointing to the seam/hem line and add that to your pattern.
You might want to check out the last picture on this page http://www.japanesesewingbooks.com/2012/01/17/understanding-a-typical-japanese-sewing-pattern/
to see how the seam allowances are specified in the cutting diagram.
thanks heaps for your replies. I wasn’t sure if a hem was considered a seam! I’m going to trace the pattern this morning, life has got in the way these last weeks.
as a beginner I have to psyche myself up a bit to start !
why don’t the Japanese patterns include a seam allowance, is it to save space on the pattern sheets? thx again
I bought this from Kino and made dress A for my daughter – the armholes are pretty big! If I made it again I would probably bring them in and higher. She loves it though!
[…] borrowed the book Girls Style Book from a friend and traced out the pattern for dress B (if you follow the link above it takes you to […]
I love this book & am working on pattern T: I forgot about the seam allowances so recut the bodice & back & sleeves but using the armhole guide, the front is almost two inches lower at the side seam than the back! I hope I can get away with it but I’m seriously frustrated after the hours I spent smocking!
[…] Read my review here […]
I have this book and it is a very good buy – most of the designs are individual patterns, unlike in some books where the same pattern is made up in different fabrics and called a different design 🙁
Is it allowed to make clothes from the patterns in this book to sell?
I recieved this book for my Birthday back in January and I have just made my first item from it. I made top M but lengthen it to make it dress length. I can’t believe how easy it was, it only took a couple of evenings once I had traced the patterns. I’m now going to make the headband from G to go with it. I will most certainly making more from this book and if I’m not careful I can see myself buying many more of these books. I love all the reviews on your site, it is really helpful to see exactly what you get in the book. Thank you.
Hihi! I just bought this book and is relatively new to sewing and using patterns , can someone tell me how do I find out which pattern is for which dress I see in the book? As the patterns all come in booklets named 1,3 and 5 and have alphabets on them, I can’t seem to match what is on the book to the pattern…. Hope someone can help me here thank you so much in advance !
Hi, each dress is labeled with a letter of the alphabet. The list of patterns on each pattern sheet is printed on the pattern sheet itself. So let’s say you are making dress M, just find all the pieces for dress M and trace them out.
[…] shape, with a gathered hem. I like the camisole and kimono top too… 7. I’ve had Girls Style Book for ages, waiting for tiny niece Greta to be big enough for the patterns. There are some beautiful […]