Drape Drape 2

Even before the English translation became available, the Japanese version of this had built a cult following in the blogosphere. On first impressions, you could mistake the Drape Drape titles for Acne lookbooks. However, a further look reveals that this is, in fact, a Bible for DIY fans.

Compiled by Hisako Sato, Drape Drape 2 includes 14 designs for tops, dresses, skirts, vests and jackets. The designs are highly structured, with a certain sharp severity that you would expect from the former Head of Garment Design for Muji. The book comes with ready-made patterns that are accompanied by “easy-to-follow” instructions. The dress making part does look fairly pain-free but the greyscale pattern sheets indicate the stitching line and cutting line, which can be confusing.

This is not a book for the faint-hearted. If the furthest you’ve ever delved into making your own clothes is cutting jeans into shorts then it may not be for you. However, if you fancy a challenge and are a sewing wiz, then this is a practical guide for those looking to explore the art of draping.

Bethany Rex