Laurence King Publishing is at it again with yet another English translation of the fabulous Drape Drape series. This time our treat is Drape Drape 3.
The book is organized the same as the other Drape Drape books. The beginning is filled with information about the fabrics, sewing techniques, and draping techniques that are used for the patterns included with the book. And, yes, when I say included, I do mean included. Multi-sized paper patterns for all 15 of the garments you see in the book are found in the back – though you do have to trace them off of a large, nested sheet.
When I was browsing through the book trying to decide which pattern I wanted to make, I found quite a lot with interesting details that I was excited to try out. See the gathered skirt in panel marked 3 above? It is quite the attention catcher, and it’s part of a V-neck dress, a style I’ve recently realized I quite like. The panel marked 5 above is a long-sleeve T with a really cool twisted drape at the hip. Finally, the neckline and overall drape of the dress in panel 6 above is stunning.
Meg of Meggipeg has made a really cool version of this dress, only she added a second sleeve.
I want to make this just so I can wrap my head around that twist at the hip line!
My ultimate choice though was none of the patterns I’ve shown above. I was really focused on using a bit of Cavalli print from Mood that I thought would look elegant draped into a lot of folds, like what you see in the skirt in panel 4 way above. I actually would have gone with that skirt, but its draped piece is not faced, and I worried that the back of the jersey print fabric (which is almost white!) would peek out too often. After much deliberating, I chose pattern No. 3, the three-piece cowl-neck top.
The deep cowl gave me the folds I was looking for, and I realized I should actually get more use out of a top like this one than I would have out of the skirt. I imagine wearing it with skinny jeans for a night on the town, with a black pencil skirt for a fancy occasion, or over a bathing suit for a day by the pool.
Since the back doesn’t have much draping, I chose to use some of Mood’s solid black jersey instead of the print. I also used the same solid black jersey for the cuffs. The whole top came together relatively smoothly in a few short hours on a lovely Sunday, thanks in large part to the fact that I was able to serge almost every seam! Quick makes are so satisfying.
That said, the jury is still out on this top. It feels fabulous while it’s on. When I look at it in the mirror, it feels quite elegant with the glittery roses peeking out amongst the folds. When I ask my husband what he thinks, he also uses the word “elegant”. But, many of the photos my husband and I took together looked like I had just thrown a lot of fabric over my shoulders (see below, for example). My hope is that I’ve just had a second lesson on how hard it is to photograph something black and that the top really does look as fabulous as it feels like it does. I’m going to have to get a few more real life opinions though before I reach a solid verdict.
Regardless, I really enjoy how these books teach me about how fabric hangs and moves. You can see below how the drapes all hang from the shoulder while the bulk of the shirt actually fits closely.
And, how it catches the wind! (It was so windy the day we took these photos!)
Now for the best part – the giveaway. Laurence King Publishing has agreed to give away an additional copy of the English version of Drape Drape 3 to one of my readers. If you’d like to be entered into the drawing, just leave a comment below letting me know. I’ll pick a winner at random next Thursday, April 25th at 7 am PDT. Good luck!
As an aside, I really have to thank Laurence King Publishing for continually going above and beyond to make great sewing books accessible to a wide audience. They have not only translated the Drape Drape series, but also the Pattern Magic series and several other coveted fashion books. And, so far they’ve been very generous in their giveaways! They’re definitely a company to keep an eye on!
Sew Well 
Hi, I love your top, the drape is beautiful and shows off your fabric really well. I would love to be included in the draw fro your giveaway.
Oh yes…my brain could use a workout. Please add me to the drawing for the book.
Love your top! thanks for the chance at the book
The top looks great and the fabric is pretty. Thank you far the chance to win.
Thanks for the fabulous giveaway! I would love to make something from one of these books, they look really challenging. I know it can be disappointing when things don’t photograph as well as they look in person, I think it looks great though. Ps Loving the month of cotton.
I would love to be entered into the drawing! I have had these books on my Amazon wish list since I first saw them! And I love the top you made, it’s very flattering.
What a delightful giveaway book! Looking at your top, I would like to own something very similar to it!
Hey,
if it’s okay I would love to enter this contest. I just bought one of the books yesterday and would like to have a look at this newer one!
I hope it’s no problem that I’m from Germany…
Greetz
Lepi
I think your top looks great in the photos! I’d love to win a copy to try my hand at some of these patterns. Thanks!
I absolutely love your top! The fabric is gorgeous by itself, and even more so with that drape. I sure don’t think it looks like you just threw a bunch of fabric over your shoulder! …it looks more like it took a lot of work!!!….very very nice!
I love how your top came out! Good call to use the Mood fabric only for the front, where it’s the showpiece, too. Please enter me into your drawing — would love to try the twisted dress! Thanks!
oooh the top is lovely! I love the fabric aswell, good choice! I’d love to try some of those patterns!
I’ve never done any draping but I’d love to start!
I’d love to try out this book, though this sort of sewing is rather out of my element. I really like your fabric and I think the top looks like more than just a swath of fabric! The important thing is that you feel good in it, though.
I often think these sorts of clothes look best in real life when they are moving on you. I’d love to win a Drape Drape book!
well done, this looks great – the cavalli print is stunning! I seem to be entering one after the next of these giveaways & never win so hopefully perseverance will pay off 🙂
Hi, I am your new reader and enjoying reading your blog. I absolutely love your top and I’d love to make one for myself.
I’d love to win this! I also sympathize with not being able to make some look as good in photographs as in real life.
I’d love to be entered! I have read so much about these books, it’d be nice to try one of the projects out for myself 🙂
I’d like to be entered! One of my sewing goals for this year is to learn how to drape clothes….seems like this would be a good way to do it!
Yes, I’d love to be in the giveaway! I’ve always wanted to try draped things with a pattern since I don’t know much about draping myself
Please enter me also! I’m rather enchanted by some of those tops…
Great giveaway! I love these books. I think your top is lovely but I would guess that your concerns about it are because it doesn’t photograph that well because of the print. I can see though that it would be really lovely in person.
Beautiful top! Photos don’t always capture a garment. Especially one with movement.
I’d love to be entered in the giveaway! Thanks!
I love the look of this book – I bet your top looks great in the flesh – it must move beautifully.
I think the photos came out fine. I love the fabric. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it in the shops over here. Please enter me for the draw too.
I’d love to be entered into the drawing! It looks like an excellent book.
I’ve always wanted to try one of these books. would like to enter, thanks!
Your top is beautiful. I would like to be entered in the draw for the book. Thank you. Rosemary
I can visualize the movement in your top, and I suspect that it does indeed look more fabulous IRL than in the pics (although it really does look lovely in the pics!) I’m dying to get my hands on one of the Drape Drape books, too!
Wow, I am loving everything I see from this book. I would love to receive a copy so I can make my own awesome garments, so please enter me in the drawing.
Your top looks fabulous on you! I would love to win this and would make the dress. Thanks for the chance to win. I love reading your blog.
What a gorgeous top! Thank you for the loveluy giveaway. I’d love to win the book so please enter me into the comp. Some of those designs are calling my name!
Your top looks great. Thanks for the chance.
I’d love to learn how to make some of these really beautiful and interesting designs.
Please count me in for the giveaway! I’d love to make a top like yours!
love your draping!!
I’d love to be entered in the giveaway! I think your top is great, and I love that skirt you were thinking of making too.
I love the top – it is very now and could be so versatile as you say. I am intrigued to learn more about Japanese draping and would love to have this book.
Thank you so much for mentioning my dress in your post. I hadn’t come across your blog before until a reader told me about it, but I will definitely be back! I also think I recognise that Tessuti dress of yours from a recent Burdastyle feature. How exciting. I have this book, so please let someone else win 🙂
oh, pleeeease, chooose meeee!! i’d really love to have the book and.. i really love your blog! ;DD
OH….what an awesome giveaway! I love what I’ve seen made from this book so far!!!!
I actually really like the top and i’d love to make a similar one for myself 🙂 thank you for the giveaway
Always inspired by your blog. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!
Your top looks great – and ‘oh, so comfortable’! I would love to entered into the draw, please and thank-you!!
wow that is a beautiful top! I have never heard of this book series before so I’m really glad you shared your experience and the giveaway!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway!
Oh I’d love to be entered in the giveaway please!
I like this top on you – the fabric is lovely. I suspect it’s the photographing-black that’s causing the issue – such a hard colour to get good photos of. 😦
Beautiful job, as usual! I’m still intreguied by these books, and this one has the post promising garments yet. I love that knot-neck dot dress! Thanks for hosting another giveaway!
Please enter me in the drawing! I would love to own a copy of the book.
The top looks great! Drape drape 1 was fantastic as well.
How do you choose which pattern to make 1st. They all look so good.
Your top looks great! I have Shape Shape so I would live to get a copy of Drape Drape! 🙂
Please enter me! Love these tops!
I love seeing creations from Drape Drape books on sewing blogs. Definitely wouldn’t mind having a copy of one of the books!
your top looks great – lovely fabric! i would love to win this book, it looks amazing 😉