I Am Cute Dresses: 25 Simple Designs to Sew Paperback – Download: Adobe Reader, September 13, 2011

I already had the Japanese version of this book but admit I longed for an English translation (especially for the pattern diagrams as I am not a native "metric speaker"!). The dresses are simply shaped and made up of very basic pattern pieces. That is good because they allow for fairly easy resizing (so don't let the size range in the book scare you off) and work great for personalization of a garment. Mix fabrics, add embellishments like embroidery and applique, that all works well on these sort of shapes.To those negative commenters, I really don't understand why you are giving this book such a low rating. First, did you look at any reviews or even online images for the book and dresses before you bought this book? I cannot imagine buying a sewing book without at least doing a little research to know what the projects are like to see if I would even want to make them. If you want more fitted, tailored clothing, look for books that contain such. That you chose a book that doesn't have the sort of clothing projects you want isn't the book's fault nor the author's. Second, if you are at least an intermediate sewist resizing the patterns to make them larger is quite do-able (I am at the high end of the sizes in this book and expect to have to resize some patterns but because the shapes are so basic it will not be a difficult task). If resizing scares you, just use some cheap materials and give it a shot--you may be pleasantly surprised! If you won't consider resizing at all or simply cannot do it, I would question if perhaps an introductory sewing book might be a better step for where your skills are at right now?The book works. The photos are good, the patterns are well laid out and explained. I haven't come across any errors. Those are the criteria I think should be used when rating a book like this. If you are unsure if this book and the dress styles are right for you, though, do a little research at your local bookstore or online to get a better feel for what these dresses are like. :)

I love the designs. At the moment I'm liking the shapeless, cotton type dresses (I live in TX and it's summer - need I say more). What really took me by surprise is THERE ARE NO PATTERNS!!! I assumed this book would be like Yoshiko Tsukiori books where printed patterns all all tucked in envelope at the back. Nope. Get out your tape measure and figure it out yourself. This book belongs in the hands of skilled seamstresses or those who have taken pattern making classes. If you're old school like me, try books by the author I mentioned above. The description of this book wasn't very clear on this point. Apparently "basic template" is code for NO PATTERNS!! Buyer beware.

This book is such an inspiration. Every dress is tasteful, classy and feminine. One may get the impression that these are loose, oversized type dresses that the rounder type figure can use. But if you are not normal weight I don’t think you could use a lot of them. But there are one or two dresses there that could work for the rounder shape. worth the price of the book to see(ok for the Romanesque figure). it is the one with pintucks. It is poetry. Absolutely beautiful. A dress to wear almost anywhere and for any occasion. I am not experienced enough to do these from these illustrations so I am going to take them to a dress maker to draw the patterns for me. These are all sleeveless except one and another with cap sleeve. If you want to look like a million get this book!

The book finally arrived, and while I was a bit perturbed to only have a few sizing options at first - I'm actually quite excited about the whole concept. If this is the standard of the Japanese way of approaching sewing, I'll be looking for a LOT more books like this.No actual patterns. Everything is a simple schematic made of relatively simple shapes. Plug in your own numbers and the sizing issue goes completely away because as there ARE no paper patterns premade - you can't really have "wrong size". I wouldn't suggest this book for someone who has never sewn before, or for someone nervous about trying to find their own way (in my case, the very fact I knew going in that there wasn't going to be a single item pre-drafted in my my size makes it easier for me. I'm over 6 feet tall and busty as a Valkyrie on holiday... not precisely what one pictures when one is creating Japanese clothes. So in my case, I was already sure I was going to have to simply, as the great Gunn would say, "Make it Work".) but if you already have a good basic skill set and are excited to go off a bit crazily on your own? Great book.A few specifics - Every dress, and I do mean Every. Single. Dress. Seems to have been made of out pure cotton. And whoever designed the photoshoot for the poor model needs to be smacked firmly. The photos range from the ridiculous (poor woman posed with a giant clover in her mouth like a great big binky for heaven's sake!) to the just flat out bad idea (I don't want to see one side of the dress artfully HIDDEN behind a ladder with no one inside the dress!) - so the book loses a star for sheer frustration in trying to see exactly what each dress LOOKS like. Also, the same model on the cover is the model for every dress... so if you are hoping to see how the dresses look on various body types? You are out of luck. However, that being said? Huge variety, coupled with the simple fact that each of the dresses are a complete blank canvas makes this book exciting to contemplate. Of the 25, I can honestly foresee making at least 15 - and of those 15, a mountain of variations.This book is a great new idea - blank canvases of simple shapes, with hundreds of possible tweeks. Not for the timid seamstress, but honestly? Looks like a lot of fun and I've got my fabric washing as I type so I can get going!

I have to admit that my expectations were high, and I have been a little disappointed. Ok, the pictures are great, and there is no pattern included because all the dresses are composed by few easy parts. For sure these projects will be great for beginners, and for sure you will spend few time on your sewing machine to make one of them. But I just want to say that I haven't found any impressive project in here.