Subtraction Cutting School (published by the Center for Pattern Design) first came to my attention one afternoon in New York City when I had the chance to sit and talk with Timo Rissanen.  That afternoon, Timo had just moved to New York and began his post as Assistant Professor of Fashion Design and Sustainability at Parsons The New School for Design.  Our conversation was fascinating and he followed our talk with a great email, a reading list and some links to his favorite sites.

One of my favorite parts of the conversation was Julian Roberts’ site and, consequently, I have become obsessed with Subtraction Cutting School.

From the book:

“Subtraction Cutting is DESIGNING WITH PATTERNS, rather than creating patterns for designs.  When you explore new techniques and methods of making, you deal with chance, luck & hope.”

I love this philosophy:  “Sometimes you completely mess up; sometimes the mistakes are really much better than what you were hoping for; and sometimes you discover something about cloth you didn’t realize was possible.”

Be sure to also visit the Center for Pattern Design, Timo Rissanen, and the New York Times Article “Fashion Tries on Zero Waste Design.”