I bought my first Japanese sewing book online and it arrived yesterday. Isn't it pretty?
I think that's Japanese for "pretty clothes you can make if you can figure out how to read Japanese directions."
The clothes in this book are just beautiful. Clean, simple lines--very Anthropologie. I'm having fun looking through it again and again and thinking about what to make first.
Everything I've read says that as long as you know how to sew, following these books is really pretty easy--even if you don't speak Japanese, which I don't. But after looking at the patterns included, I'm a little worried.
Now if I can only figure out what size I wear, whether seam allowances are included, and find some paper large enough to trace patterns on to make my own pattern pieces.
In the meantime, I think I'll just look through it again and dream about how cute these clothes will be once I decide what to make first...
You're in luck! I did my student teaching in Japan! Oh, wait. No you're not. I only learned about 50 words. I remember 10 of them. Ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyu, ju. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) And I don't even know their characters!
Good luck!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | December 18, 2007 at 07:02 PM
Ooh! Sewing! Interesting! All the best with this new task. I'm sure you'll have fun with it =) Right now, I'm deciding whether I should do a job attachment that's (gulp) 6 months long!
Posted by: Puva | December 18, 2007 at 07:57 PM
Beautiful! You'll have to share some more pictures of the clothes.
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | December 19, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Joanne-I think it's great that you know how to sew! Maybe you can sell some of your designs (but charge a lot less than Anthropologie.Ha!I love that store!!)
Just so you know, you've inspired me and I will be taking knitting lessons soon. I have only done cross stitch and needlepoint.
Have a blessed day. Missi
Posted by: Missi Smith | December 19, 2007 at 08:50 AM
I would love to learn to sew. Wanna teach me?
Posted by: Susan | December 19, 2007 at 10:51 AM
I responded to your question about seam allowance on my blog, but saw you also were wondering about tracing paper. I bought some Swedish tracing paper on ebay (can be sewn together for a mock-up if you like to do that). I've also heard of people using interfacing as tracing paper, which you could get by the yard and should then be able to trace your patterns pretty easily. I think tracing the patterns from the sheet is one of the most difficult things with the Japanese craft books. Good luck!!
Posted by: Lindsey | December 19, 2007 at 12:04 PM
I responded to your question about seam allowance on my blog, but saw you also were wondering about tracing paper. I bought some Swedish tracing paper on ebay (can be sewn together for a mock-up if you like to do that). I've also heard of people using interfacing as tracing paper, which you could get by the yard and should then be able to trace your patterns pretty easily. I think tracing the patterns from the sheet is one of the most difficult things with the Japanese craft books. Good luck!!
Posted by: Lindsey | December 19, 2007 at 12:05 PM
I know what you mean! I bought a purse/tote book last year because everyone said all ya had to do was "look at the pictures/drawings". They were right... That IS all I can do! LOL
Posted by: Jeanette | January 11, 2011 at 04:18 PM