Japanese Fashion

My Japanese sbooks have arrived! Yay! I ordered from YesAsia (This is a link to a bunch of sewing books to get you started!) This was my 2nd order from YesAsia and everything arrived like clockwork when they said it would (about 3 weeks.) Here's my haul (with ISBN ):

4579110005

4579109910

4579111435

4579111354

4579109619

Use the ISBN to google these too. And go check out pomadour24 on ebay or etsy. He/she gives interior pictures too, so it's easy to find the book with the projects you really like before purchasing. But BUY from YesAsia. You'll save about $10/book AND save on shipping.

It's going to be hard to pick a project. I am especially in love with the Fashion From Cinema book, which features a tiny snapshot of a movie (mostly vintage flicks) and a pattern for a garment in the character's style. Downside? These patterns are only offered in one size (which is unknown to me at this point.) And all black lines on the railroad track of pattern lines will be a nightmare to trace! This book will probably be inspiration only.

Couple of peeks inside: (Too much coffee, sorry for the really crappy pics this morning!)

A dress inspired by Julianne Moore in The Hours:

Top & skirt inspired by Renee Zellweger in Down with Love:

I also really really love the Skirt a la Carte book. (Actually I love all of Kayaki Machiko's books. Gorgeous clothes. Remember that Japanese read right to left, so you may have better luck searching for her online as Machiko Kayaki? I think there's a Flickr group dedicated to her stuff.)

Every skirt in here is CUTE. Here are a couple of I really like:



Comparing Sizing to BWOF...
Another plus with the skirt book is that the sizing is a bit expanded from most Japanese pattern books (7, 9, 11, 13, 15, which translates to Burda sizing 34, 36, 38, 40, 42) if you go by HIP measurement. Waist measurements are about a size to a size and a half smaller than the comparable Euro size (so a Japanese size 7 is the same hip measurement as a 34, but a Japanese size 7 waist is off the Burda chart (too small) by 3 cm. Ouch.

Translation: These are tiny people, people. :D

Let's not even get into the fact that my own pattern range STARTS at a size 46. (and the skirt book is the only one of my books that even goes as large as the 15/42!) Luckily, the styles are so simple and beautiful that they will be easily duplicated in patterns from stash/BWOF that DO fit.

Oh, and that WAY SMALL waist issue above...Ditto for bust. The bust sizing is at least half a pattern size smaller than the comparable BWOF hip size (about 2 cm smaller.)

Luckily, the sizing is perfect for dd Lu, who hasn't any bust issues yet! And she's outgrowing the kid line in the Big 4 fast, but too small for the women's line, so these will be perfect for her.

Reading in Japanese
Actually, you don't have to read Japanese to use these patterns. If you have a bit of sewing experience, you'll do fine! They include fabulous illustrations for any finicky parts, and the rest you can pretty much figure out using basic construction techniques. Also of note...my Japanese craft magazines all read in traditional Japanese Right to Left. BUT these pattern books read Left to Right.

Helpful Linkies
While researching which books to buy, I ran across a great blog a couple of months ago devoted to Japanese sewing books called Japanese Couture Addicts. It's in French, but I linked you to the google translated page. These girls are AWESOME! Not only do they actually buy the books AND sew from them, they do tutorials, take pictures, post often...what more could you ask? That it's in French is only a teeny tiny disadvantage because the translation is pretty clear. Scroll all the way down on the left and you can link to each book's blog posts (Book 1, Book 2, etc.)

Be sure to check out their links, because they have links to other translations (French to English Sewing, Japanese to English, etc) AND links to places to find/buy the books!! That can be a real hunt, because if you're buying online and don't have the ISBN#, you are searching in the dark! (Which is why you have mine up there! I'm such a helpful enabler.)

They also have a forum HERE, (also in French) but it might be helpful if you have a question. The translations are funny sometimes, but you can still get a good idea of what's going on. I got tickled at a sizing question (about busts) and one of the (google translated) answers was this:
I measured and calculated and would have a place to bring my chest which is not a chest of Japan ...

Ya. Me neither! LOL.

Misdirection

...to avoid admitting I still haven't finished my skirt. But on that subject...I'm making the green one below (2nd from left). Just look at how perfectly below chubby knee length it appears! That voodoo better kick in shortly.


Moving on...

Katie wanted more info on the Anna Tunic by Amy Butler (my next project I'm thinking.) I'm not thrilled with the tie either, just because I don't think I'm motorvated enough to keep it cutely tied. But the back of the pattern shows an adorable mini-dress view (which I will mini right on up to top length.) Score! See the pretty sans tie below (along with a gorgeous fabric flower.)


FUNNY free embroidery design over at SewForum. (You have to register to view free embroidery designs, totally worth it.)


And...a really cool freebie tote pattern at Quilting Arts TV (you also have to register to view the project files). This tote is from #107. The way the fabric is folded & sewn automatically creates pockets inside (or so I'm told.)


Lastly, I'm waiting soooo (im)patiently for my order from YesAsia to arrive. It's a box full of these:


Back to diligently working on my skirt. No. Really.

Mwah!

Thank you so much for all the sweet comments on the jeans tute! I've got a full-length Halloween pair in the works too, so I'll post a pic when they're finished.

Lu grows so fast right now I don't feel wasteful making her a holiday outfit that realistically won't get a ton of wear. The fact is NOTHING gets much wear in her closet right now! I almost can't keep up with her!

I'm participating in the Loes Hinse & Textile Studio's Sew Along on PR. If you're a fan of these patterns, or just want to try one out, come join us! I'm making these first:


The pants are from the Japanese craft book "Everyday Pants & Culottes". I love the flippy little ruffle on these pants. Plus...cotton print! Woohoo! Ya'll know this is my weakness and I almost never get to use it for me. I'm using the LH Cruise Pant pattern. I widened the legs and added a drawstring waist.

They would technically be finished except that I tried them on and they were too long. Guess I shoulda tried them on BEFORE adding the ruffle!! I also doubled the ruffle for a finished edge, and I think it's too "heavy". It seems to weight down the pant leg and they're not as flow-y as the photo above.

SO I have to whack off the ruffle and make it a single layer with a tiny hem. That will work better, I think.

Have to go to work now. Bummer.

My Girl

Happiest of birthdays to my little Lu, who turns 10 today.

She's the happiest child I've ever known, and I thank God every day

for letting me be her mama.

Speaking of sewing (wha? Weren't we?) I was perusing YesAsia this morning and fell in love with this book:


I'm seriously coveting this dotty skirt on the cover! And look at this lovely top on the left...


It comes from this book:


Too many lovely books to choose from. Summer budgeting stinks.

a.