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Book Review – Simple Chic

October 19, 2012


Here’s a book title that requires no translation. Simple Chic. It’s not a very new book, but I’ve been buying mostly books for girls, so it’s only lately that I started sewing for myself and started buying more adult pattern books.

Today was one of those days. Days when you just don’t feel like doing much, want to sleep in, need to go out but too lazy to dress up, and then you just picked out your most comfortable shirt that requires no ironing (or you just don’t care) and stepped out of the door looking like a bum. Well, this book is here to save you from looking like a bum on “those days”. Simple Chic is full of patterns for simple, easy to wear clothes that are non-restrictive (comfortable), but you can still look chic at the same time! Want to have a peek into the book?

Table of contents in English! Yay.

Item list with pictures.

Here are some of the pieces I like.

Cute but maybe I’m too old for this…. sigh…

Looks like something I can wear to bed and go out like this the next morning without anyone noticing. 😛

I really really like this dress, but I’m quite afraid that, with the wrong fabric choice (or even with the right fabric choice), people might start asking me when is my due date 😉

Another of my favourites. It’s actually a dress that can be worn two ways, although I would only wear it this way (top) and not the other (below). Can double up as a coat too if you use a heavier cotton like twill.

Another shapeless dress made into part of a chic outfit by throwing on something with a little more structure (the coat).

Camisole blouse. Definitely wearable but I might take in the bustline a little. It’s just a little too baggy for my liking.

This really reminds me of Takuya Kimura in Concerto (Japanese drama ;P) ! Something I watched like 15 years ago.

I like this too! The fabric is a cotton silk, I like the sheer floaty effect.

Just in case any of you are looking for a similar pattern. I can’t wear this because I have short legs. Lol.

I’ve seen so many nice patterns in all my books for both adults and kids using striped knits. I love stripes too, but I can never seem to find knits in stripes. Well, but it’s generally not easy to find knits in nice prints here.

The book includes patterns for bottoms as well. Both skirts and pants.

Flared pants.

Something new to learn. Round pockets on skirts.

Tucked cardigan.

Here is the size chart for the patterns included. It’s based on the Japanese sizes 7-13. Here’s a quick reference on Wiki to size conversion. The left most column indicates – Height, Bust, Waist, Hip measurements (all in cm).

Now to the how-to-make section. Well, this is the reason why I didn’t review the book earlier. It belongs to one of those books where instructions are written out in point form, and only the important steps are illustrated in diagrams. There are no photographic instructions in this book.

A close up of the instructions. There will be a diagram with the corresponding step numbers pointing to the different parts of the garment, so if you are not a beginner sewist it should not be very difficult.

For the steps that require further explanation, there are diagrams included. Note how certain steps are skipped (no diagram for points 2,3 and 4) as they are deemed basic steps and do not need explanation.

Back page.

Basically, this is not the book for beginners, but if you are looking for simple, relaxed styles that look stylish at the same time, this book has some pretty and wearable patterns. I hope I can find more time to sew for myself! Soon!

Title : Simple Chic シンプルシック
ISBN : 978-4-579-11345-3
Author : 大川友美
Publisher : Bunka

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11 Comments

  • Reply yulia October 23, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    Ah… I’ve just ordered this book. Thanks to your tantalizing review 🙂

  • Reply janet February 16, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    Hi Yifarn, I was just about to trace a pattern from this book and noticed that the patterns aren’t graded. I might be missing something important. I’m hoping you could help with some insight. Thanks! janet

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books February 17, 2014 at 8:30 am

      Hi Janet, The patterns are graded based on sizes 7, 9-11, 13. Meaning that 9-11 are using the same set of patterns. The clothes in the book are rather baggy and probably meant to be more free-sized? Which particular garment are you tracing?

      • Reply Sewer June 23, 2015 at 9:23 pm

        I’ve ordered the book, but not yet received it. Is the Size 7 separate?

        • Reply Japanese Sewing Books July 20, 2015 at 9:07 am

          Hi, Size 7 is included and has its own set of patterns. 9 and 11 are using the same pattern, 13 is separate as well.

          • Sewer July 22, 2015 at 7:27 am

            Thank you. I recently received the book and the small collar blouse (C-2) appears to be one-size only. I’d be very grateful if you could confirm that.

          • Japanese Sewing Books July 23, 2015 at 8:23 am

            Hi, I’ve taken a look at the instructions for C_2, and yes there is only one size. Under the titles for each of the garments, you will see the words
            [ 出来上り寸法 ]…フリーサイズ
            This means [completed dimensions] …. free size
            so for C_2
            bust = 116cm
            sleeve width = 41cm
            Length = 67cm
            sleeve length = 37.6cm

            There are a couple of other garments in the book which are only one size (free size) only, these are the ones meant to be worn with a loose fit. So if you see these characters フリーサイズ it means free size.
            Hope that helps!

  • Reply kim November 12, 2015 at 1:21 am

    very helpful..thank you

  • Reply Chloe February 27, 2016 at 9:04 am

    Beautiful review, thank you! Just wondering if there are any instructions in English? Or only Japanese?

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books February 27, 2016 at 10:39 am

      Hi Chloe, it’s only in Japanese.

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