Stylish Wraps Sewing Book: Ponchos, Capes, Coats and More

Known for Japanese fashions for home stitchers, designer Tsukiori (Stylish Dress Book) fills her latest sewing book with patterns for wraps, among them fleece ponchos, boiled-wool capes, and quilted coats, and haberdashery, including a pom-pom earbob. Each item she features requires at least a modicum of experience to make. She divides the designs into five categories: straight cuts (ponchos and draped jackets), capes (ponchos and capes with and without hoods), accessories (infinity scarves), dolman sleeves (boleros, coat dresses, and robe coats), and regular sleeves (coat dresses, quilted coats, and vests). For versatility, some patterns simply shorten other designs, whereas other patterns swap fabrics to diversify. Throughout the book, Tsukiori offers graphic designs and directions for study. The book includes four double-sided pattern sheets in the back; however, all her garments are pictured inconveniently in the front, requiring seamsters to flip back and forth between illustration and pattern in order to keep the finished product in mind. Color photos. (Aug.)