GIVEAWAY! She wears the pants!

I have a real treat for you today. Tuttle publishing contacted me recently to see if I'd like to review the recently published in English, 'She wears the Pants'. Now this is a no brainer. I have had, for a few years now, the Japanese language version, 'She has a mannish style'. This book remains my number one favourite of all my Japanese pattern books.
I have made the Velour Blouse, the Square Top, the Draped Cardigan and the Draped Mini dress (twice) from this book. Clearly, this is the most patterns used from any of my Japanese Pattern books.
  
In my opinion what sets this book apart from the others, is the edgier styling and the move away from the cute and whimsical feel usually seen in Japanese books. It's a little bit rock, a little bit moodier. The quote from the front contents page says it all:

“Sometimes you want to dress cool and boyish, in special, unique pieces that are only for you…”
I think there is something in here for everyone. There are some complicated pieces, such as jackets and pants, but also some very straightforward pieces (particularly the drape dress that can be made in a matter of hours).  The book comes with full size nested pattern pieces which slip nicely into an envelope at the back of the book.
Gathered Blouse is likely to be my next make from this book given my latest obsession with the dropped sleeve!
I haven't made anything yet using the English instructions, so I can't vouch for how accurate / easy they are to follow, but given they are in English, I know this will take the guess work out of most of the construction for those who usually guess at how to make garments from the Japanese.
Japanese Sewing Books has also written a comprehensive review of this book, which I highly recommend.
Now, the best part, I have two books to give away. To anywhere in the world!  All you need to do is leave a comment and I'll draw two random winners on Monday 30 March 2015!

109 comments:

  1. This book looks amazing!! The style is so you!

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  2. I love your style and would love to add this book to my collection! Great giveaway!

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  3. I love the look of this book, so inspiring. I need to buckle down and make some more separates and this would be a great motivation!

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  4. The gathered blouse looks fab - I'd love to try the pom pom blouse, and the trousers it's styled with are pure class!

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  5. Count me in! The gathered blouse would be first on my to-make list. It'd be great in a silk georgette or cotton voile.

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  6. Awesome!! Just getting back into sewing and I'm loving finding sooo many great sewing blogs through Instagram. I have pinned a couple of things from this book but only just figured out that it was only in Japanese until recently.

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  7. I'd like to give the velour blouse a try, these definitely have a edgey feel. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  8. I love the Japanese sewing book vibe. This one looks really cool. The velour blouse is my pick.

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  9. Oh yes! Yes yes please! Is the striped top on the cover one of the patterns?

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  10. I love love love these books. It's great to see some styling that is a bit edgier to compliment the whimsical. I would be super excited to add this one to my collection!

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  11. I'm thinking this might be good for my teen who classifies her style as sporty!

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  12. Have had my eye on this book for awhile, was waiting for the English release, so yay and thanks for an opportunity to win a copy. I love the look of the gathered blouse and the square top.

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  13. Looks interesting - I'd love the chance to win.

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  14. Ooh what a great giveaway! I haven't been entering any giveaways as I feel it's not fair when I've not been sewing so much but I just love that draped cardigan and would love to give it a go. Also you should totally make that blouse!

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  15. Wow! Thanks for letting me know about this book. I would love to get my hands on it!

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  16. The book looks great! Thanks for the review and giveaway. (There's a part of me that wishes they'd kept the title as 'She has a Mannish style' though.)

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  17. I love the look of this book! Some Japanese sewing books - while gorgeous to look at - can be a bit too cute for us sewers in our 40s. This looks perfect...

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  18. Gotta love a Japanese sewing book! I've been waiting for it's release to English. I think I'd have to make the No4 top with epaulettes first, a classic breton stripe of course.

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  19. English instructions would make this book a dream! I'm always amazed at how easy it is to follow the Japanese language books, with the clear instructions. I have a few stored away in Sydney, but not this one. Í remember stalking this particular book though, and now I'm wondering why I passed it by!

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  20. I've never seen this one before -- you're right, I like the aesthetic of this, not quite as cutesy as the other Japanese books I've seen. Like the moodiness of it!

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  21. Oh, wow. I'd love to win this book, but I'll look it up either way. Love the square top, and the top with epaulets. Thanks!

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  22. Definetly yes please!! There's a few there that catch my eye, it'd be hard to choose one to start with! Thanks!

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  23. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  24. I'm so excited! Thanks Kirsty. Such a great book!

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  25. How awesome is no 19? Those semi flared culottes are amazing 😍

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  26. Thanks for this giveaway, many of the patterns in this book are so interesting!

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  27. I adore the draped dress. Thank you for the opportunity!

    Rose in SV

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  28. I'd love to win this book!

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  29. There looks to be a few winner patterns, that pom pom top (or pom pon as my Dad would correct me!) and the square top are gorgeous, with a hint of rock n roll. Oh yeah! Count me as an entry x

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  30. This looks awesome! You've described exactly why I'm not usually into Japanese pattern books, and what draws me to this one

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  31. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. Love the look of a lot of the patterns.

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  32. jen @thestitcherandgathererMarch 22, 2015 at 5:28 PM

    Me me me! ! I am literally salivating over this book!!

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  33. Isnt it cray how ladies werent allowed to wear trousers and it only became fully accepted in the 60s. Harems culottes skinny jeans leggings oh how i love thee!

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  34. Oh please, please, please please ;) I adore every pattern in this (well, perhaps except the Tippets that I don't understand) and was so impatient that I bought it in Japanese - however as we both know, the English makes everything easier ;)
    I promise to sew up a wardrobe of boyish styles, 'cause they're very me ;)

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  35. This book looks so fabulous, lots of inspiration and a great introduction for my foray into Japanese patterns. I have been trying to decide where to start but this book looks perfect.

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  36. Louise Tomlinson-SylvestMarch 22, 2015 at 7:22 PM

    Looks like a great book. I'd love to win a copy

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  37. Love the look of this!

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  38. Oh Kirsty how cool that they contacted you - this book is indeed so 'you'! Goes without saying I'd love to win a copy, obviously :-)

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  39. Yay so good to see a Japanese pattern book that's a bit different from the usual tent-like dresses! A lot of these patterns look rather fabulous. :-) I'd love to go in the draw please!

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  40. I've been eyeing this book for a long time now. Would love to win!

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  41. What a cool book! I used to live in Japan but I was too big to fit into any clothes there. Very excited about making my own!

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  42. Looks like it contains wearable patterns (unlike the one Japanese pattern book I have - origami/tent weirdness). Thank you for the chance to win.

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  43. This book looks awesome, I'm going to have to buy a copy if I'm not lucky enough to win one!

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  44. Hooray, I could make some of these and not look like a 40 year old dressed as a 10 year old! Thanks for highlighting it, will definitely be checking it out.

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  45. That looks great! A bit more my thing than the usual Japanese pattern books... I'd love one!

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  46. I'm gonna enter just in case! If I win it might get to me before the one I ordered does!

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  47. I really think I need some Epaulettes in my life... Love the styling in the book, would love to win!

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  48. That looks like the best Japanese sewing book ever! Please enter me in the draw.

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  49. These patterns look amazing, I'm a really big fan of these japanese boyish looks!

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  50. I haven't tried any Japanese patterns yet although I like their aesthetic because of the language issue. Maybe the time has come...

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  51. Helen // Grosgrain GreenMarch 22, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    I love the look of this book. I have never used a Japanese pattern book, so this looks like a good starting point!

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  52. I'd love to kick off my Japanese pattern book collection with a win!

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  53. I love the designs, usually they really are too girly for me but this new approach to japanese patterns tickles my fancy!

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  54. I really like the look of these patterns and all your makes are fab!

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  55. I love these looks! Hope I win and can make some (PS- your blog is great sewing inspiration!)

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  56. I have a few Japanese sewing books I've never actually used! I bought them because they look gorgeous, but the flow-y, girly look is just not my personal style. But this one, most definitely! I love the edgy looks, so much more my style, yet still with that gorgeous Japanese feel to it. Thanks for sharing!

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  57. I almost never enter giveaways but I've seen your makes from this book and I just want it ... does it come with some of your sewing skills included ;)

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  58. These pieces look awesome! I'd love to win!

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  59. I have 3 Japanese pattern books but have never seen this one - definitely more my style. I would love to win!

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  60. I'd be so excited to win this! The designs looks fabulous.

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  61. Would be soo happy if I won a copy :) love your style.

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  62. This book is definitely more my style than the other Japanese books. Would love a copy!

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  63. Oh my French style filtered through a Japenese lens; yes please!

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  64. Looks like a great book, especially like the look of the gathered blouse and mini dress. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  65. I would really like to get this book; I can already see a couple of pieces which look promising and I'm sure my daughter would too. Many thanks.

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  66. I would love to win this book ... I've bee wanting it for a while but since it wan't available in English I kind of hesitating buying it ...

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  67. Please enter me into the drawing! This book looks amazing.

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  68. I feel a Japanese pattern book obsession coming on!

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  69. Oooh, I like this! A bit different from the super-sweet styles we often see.

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  70. Ooh would love to use this book for my summer sewing planning :)

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  71. This book looks amazing! I'd love to use it!

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  72. Love to be one of the winners :)

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  73. I'm dying to get my hands on this book!

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  74. This book looks great. I'd love to win it!

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  75. I would love this.

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  76. How awesome, I would love to try my hand at some of these. :]

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  77. Wahoo! I want to wear the pants!!!!

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  78. This looks fantastic! Love the draped mini dress.

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  79. I need this book! And I love your makes from it! I was going to buy it tonight, but now I will wait ;-) Who knows? I might get lucky!

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  80. Renee //nearestthepinMarch 24, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    Some great looking pieces in there!!

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  81. Everything looks great. I'd love to win this book.

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  82. This book has been popping up in my Insta feed loads lately. I'd love to make this culottes and the draped cardigan.

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  83. I so love the loose fit of Japanese patterns. Even more if they are not too cute like in this book as you said. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  84. ...and I was just looking at my fabric today wondering what to make. Thanks for an inspiring blog.

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  85. I've seen this book in the store and it looks great. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

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  86. I would love to try some of these styles. They look edgy.

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  87. Ohhh...I'd like really like a copy of this book. The English tittle made me laugh, I think I've seen the French version before but I don't recall it being "she wears the pants" :-)

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  88. Ooh, looks fab. Great giveaway!

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  89. Inspiring and fun too - thanks for the giveaway opportunity :-)

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  90. Ooo I've been lusting after this book since seeing some other reviews! Really want to make the gathered blouse and the tapered trousers! *fingers crossed*

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  91. Love the style... would be fun to win!

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  92. Hi There, I have the Japanese version of this book and can't quite work out the Sarrouel trousers pattern 8. So it would be awesome to win it.

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  93. Yes, they look a bit tricky. Sorry you didn't win, but if you would like I can photo the page in English.

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  94. I think the French title was Feminin Masculin. I prefer she has a mannish style!

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  95. Ha - you don't need mine you have yours which are a class above!!! :)

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  96. I know exactly the feeling although usually I am a 40 year old pretending to be younger :(

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  97. I think we need to have a tippet sewalong!

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  98. It is crazy - now we are really owning them though!

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  99. The pom pon top is cool isn't it. I must get that on my list as well!

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  100. Why did you? Probably because this book seems even more your style now.. but .... you don't need it because you are making us all patterns now!

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  101. It gorgeous isn't it. Classic but so stylish.

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  102. I started sewing a few years ago only from Japanese books so it can be done, although obviously the English translations make it a bit easier! Great that you are getting back into sewing!

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  103. I would love the chance to win! The designs look fab and I can see myself actually making quite a few of them!

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