Book Review – The Silhouette Permanent Dress

I spotted this book – The Silhouette Permanent Dress, just a few weeks ago while compiling the list of new book reviews. One of the dresses totally caught my eye, and if you followed me on Instagram you might have seen it already. It was released in October last year, and it seems pretty well reviewed on Amazon. The main headline on the book says that you can make an [everlasting] dress using 3 pieces of silhouette…. eh… what does that mean? Let’s find out in the book 🙂

I didn’t include the index page because it was all in Japanese, but anyway this is what the book is about. Based on three patterns using the basic shapes – A, I and X, you can make a whole variety of dresses that will last you for a long time. That basically what it means.  The book comes with patterns for 5 sizes 5,7,9,11,13 (These are Japanese sizes). Let’s see what the letters mean in terms of pattern shapes.

The first section is the A-shaped silhouettes. This simply means A-line. I think that’s quite straightforward. The A-shaped dresses are flared from shoulder to hem (As described in the introduction).

The A-line dresses come in a variety of sleeve styles – from cap sleeves, 3/4 length wide sleeves, half length flare sleeves, and 3/4 length tight sleeves (shown below)

The next section showcases the “I” shape dresses. –  This “I” silhouette actually refers to a princess cut, straight and slender shape. I think the picture below shows it best. All the “I” dresses come with side panels, which you can choose whether or not to have in contrasting fabric.

The last section is for “X” shaped silhouettes. This is basically a princess seam plus flare skirt, in a one piece dress with no waist joining lines. The sleeve options across all three sections are pretty similar. Cap, half length, 3/4 lengths, tight or flare.

Of course, this is my favourite dress! I think it’s more common to see the main print on the front panel and solids for the sides but this is the other way round. You may have noticed by now that the fabric plays a very important part in the look of the dresses. The dress above is made of grosgrain fabric (グログラン). I only knew of grosgrain ribbons. I had no idea it came in fabric as well! Apparently it is not that common and only used in brandname wear?

Just another X-shape dress with 3/4 flare sleeves. This is also made in grosgrain fabric. Look at the shine on the dress!

Want to see more? See all the dress variations in the book flip-through video below.

Now for some technical information.

 

Refer to the above table for the sizes included in the book. All measurements in cm.

Here’s a sample of the how to make page. At the bottom of each pattern page, there is also a size table for the finished dimensions of the dress.

There are no photos for instructions, but the good news is that the diagrams are pretty detailed and the diagrams are bigger than usual! There are some quite advanced techniques for dressmaking included that I find pretty useful. Most of the dresses are unlined (because the fabric used is quite thick), but the insides are finished with facing. There are also detailed instructions for zip attachments, darts sewing and sewing skirt vents (for the I shape dresses) I think this is definitely a go-to book if I need to make any formal looking or working dresses.

There is also a page on the author’s website, which lists down the full list of fabrics used for the dresses, and there is even an order form for the fabrics! http://atelier-keisuzuki.com/product/books/

2 sheets of double printed full size pattern paper. It seems like the patterns are grouped by sizes instead of pattern numbers.

Title :  3つのシルエットで作る「永遠」のワンピース
The Silhouette Permanent Dress by Atelier Keisuzuki
Author : Kei Suzuki
ISBN Number :  978-4579116188