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The Magic Pattern Book; Skirt Review

If Amy Barickman's name doesn't ring a bell, how about Indygo Junction? Amy Barickman founded Indygo Junction in 1990 and over the past 20 years she has sold 2 million sewing patterns! When I found out she recently authored another sewing book, I had to give it a try. Her new book is called The Magic Pattern Book and it has a wonderful concept. 
In The Magic Pattern Book Amy take 6 patterns (tank top, skirt, dress, cardigan, coat and accessories) and creates 36 designs from these 6 patterns!!  For example, the cardigan, has 6 versions you can create. 
The Cardigan Family
That's not all, Amy doesn't just give you the instructions and tell you how to manipulate the pattern templates but she has given you all 36 designs with full templates on a CD in the back of the book. Many times a sewing book will suggest extra designs but when you go to create it you have to draft the new design by yourself. Amy has constructed it all for you! I Love That!
You will have to print and cut out your templates but I rather have a digital version of the sewing pattern for my digital library. This makes organizing a breeze and if I loose a piece I can simply print what I need. 
She also gives you 6 fabric options for all 36 designs. I enjoyed this too because so many times it is hard to imagine if a certain print would look good. The models are also wearing the finished products and Amy tells you their height! This is wonderful information because I am not 5'9", I am 5'1" therefore will have to cut everything to adapt for my petite size.
These are posh patterns! My Blythe Skirt from the Magic Pattern Book is on the left. J. Crew's Front Pleated skirt for $110 is on the right. Ok, now I might have to make an orange one too. It is constructed differently I have front pockets and I used a elastic casing in the back vs. J. Crew has no pockets and used a back zipper. The front of the skirt has the same great front pleat look.
By the way, I paid only $4.99 for my chevron fabric at JoAnn's!  That is two yards of Chevron for $4.99 because I had a 50% off coupon!! I did have to line the skirt because the fabric is lightweight. 
I am currently working on the Cecelia dress pattern from the Magic Pattern Book. It is a dress that looks adorable with boots! I think I will make the Charlotte shirt first to test the bust size a little. See that is another fantastic point to make about this book you can make one piece from the family of patterns and when you get the sizing adjusted perfectly for one you have actually adjusted the sizing for all 6 family patterns. 
Ok, I am off to sew more from this great book!
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Anonymous said…
Thank you for sharing what you have sewn from this book. I'm ready to get this book too :)
August 29, 2014 at 8:58 PM
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