Japanese Sewing Books in English

Japanese Sewing Books in English

April 4, 2013


I have reviewed a few Japanese Sewing Books that have been translated in English – Drape Drape and Stylish Dress Book. I’ve been asked to list all the books I know that have been translated to English, so here they are! I will be updating this page when I hear something new come up. So bookmark this page if you want to find out about new releases in the future!

The English editions of these books are usually modified slightly in terms of pattern sizes. For example, the Stylish Dress Book – wear with freedom by Yoshiko Tsukiori  provides patterns in sizes 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16  (6 sizes) while the Japanese version provides sizes 7,9,11,13. I am not sure if the new books will be all done in the same sizes, but as they are published by two main publishers (Laurence King and Tuttle) and many of the books are written by the same authors, it seems likely that the sizing will remain more or less the same. Other than the obvious advantage of everything being translated to English, they are also usually cheaper than the original books probably because of the cheaper production costs. It’s a pity that there are so few of them right now. But I believe more will come, given the popularity of these books.

Here are some new titles that will be released over the next few months. You can pre-order them from Amazon now.

Sewing for your girls

The following books have already been released. Click on the thumbnails to view inside pages and book reviews.

Casual Sweet Clothes: Favorite Pieces for Every Day
Read my review here 
 Girly Style Wardrobe –
28 patterns for girls

Read my review here 
Sew Sweet Handmade Clothes for Girls: 22 Easy-to-Make Dresses, Skirts, Pants & Tops Girls Will Love
 
Handmade Bags In Natural Fabrics: Over 25 Easy-To-Make Purses, Totes and More


Basic Black: 26 Edgy Essentials for the Modern Wardrobe
Sato Watanabe Read my review here 
Stylish Skirts: 23 Simple Designs to Flatter Every Figure
Sato Watanabe
Read my review here 
Happy Homemade
Ruriko YamadaRead my review here

Feminine Wardrobe: Town, Party, Resort
Jinko Matsumoto

Read my review here 


 

Happy Homemade: 
Sew Chic: 20 Simple Everyday Designs
Yoshiko Tsukiori

Read my review here 

Girls Style Book
Yoshiko TsukioriRead my review here

Stylish Dress Book:
Simple Smocks, Dresses and Tops

Yoshiko TsukioriRead my review here!
Sweet Dress Book: 23 Dresses of Pattern Arrangement
Yoshiko TsukioriRead my review here

 Shape Shape 2:
Sewing for Minimalist Style
Natsuno Hiraiwa
Shape Shape: Sewing Clothing Patterns to Wear Multiple Ways
Natsuno Hiraiwa

Stylish Dress Book:
Wear with Freedom
Yoshiko TsukioriRead my review here!
 Drape Drape 
Hisako SatoRead my review here!

Drape Drape 2
Hisako Sato
 Drape Drape 3
Hisako Sato

Pattern MagicTomoko Nakamichi Pattern Magic 2Tomoko Nakamichi
 Pattern Magic:
Stretch Fabrics

Tomoko Nakamichi

Linen, Wool, CottonAkiko Mano Carefree Clothes for Girls:
20 Patterns for Outdoor Frocks, Playdate Dresses, and More (Make Good: Crafts + Life)Junko Okawa

 
I Am Cute Dresses: 25 Simple Designs to SewSato Watanabe  Simple Modern Sewing: 8 Basic Patterns to Create 25 Favorite GarmentsPublished by Shufu To Seikatsu Sha

Disclaimer : Japanese Sewing Books is is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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24 Comments

  • Reply Kimberly Janson July 18, 2013 at 8:18 pm

    Hi there!

    I’m wondering if you could tell me what the
    seam allowances are in your wonderful
    tutorial for the double zip pouch.

    Specifically 0.5cm and 0.8 cm. I converted
    each to inches, but that still doesn’t
    help because the amounts are in decimals.

    Usually seam allowances, here in the states,
    are 1/8, 1/4. 3/8, 1/2 etc etc. Can you
    help?

    Thanking you ever so much!!! Kim

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books July 18, 2013 at 8:53 pm

      Hi Kim,
      The two different seam allowances used when sewing the zip is so that the first stitch (0.5cm) that is attaching the fabric to the zip will be subsequently hidden when the next row of stitches (with a larger seam allowance of 0.8cm) is being sewn to attach the second piece of fabric onto the same zip. So theoretically, you don’t have to follow the exact seam allowance. You just have to make sure that the first stitch has a narrower seam allowance than the second.

      When I convert 0.5 and 0.8cm to inches, it is actually approximately 1/5″ and 1/3″ but that is not marked on the sewing machine. In fact, 0.5cm is in between 1/8 and 1/4, and 0.8cm is between 1/4 and 3/8 mark.

      So I would suggest that you either do a step down to use 1/8″ for the first stitch and 1/4″ for the second line of stitching. Or if your zip is wide enough to accomodate two rows of stitching at 1/4″ and 3/8″, you can do that too if you are more comfortable with wider seam allowances.

      Hope that answers your question! 🙂
      Yi Farn

  • Reply Kimberly Janson July 18, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Note: This is Kim and I just emailed you
    a question. However, I put an extra letter
    in my email address and with that you
    wouldn’t be able to email me.

    I have corrected it and now you will
    be able to comment , if you choose!

  • Reply Kamille July 26, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    Hello,
    I have been following your blog and read your book reviews with great interest and admiration. My daughter and I are ready to buy our first Japanese Pattern book and would like to know your recommendation. We will be sewing for a 12 month old little girl (my grand daughter), I am concerned that she may be too small for some of the children’s pattern books. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your help.

    Sincerely,
    Kamille

  • Reply Book Review – Straight Line Sewing Dresses by Sato Watanabe » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics March 24, 2014 at 10:33 am

    […] has two newly translated books that will be out soon over the next few months, I listed them on my Japanese books in English page and you can check them out if you […]

  • Reply Nerah April 13, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    Hi I was wondering if these books are using the metric system?

  • Reply Book Review – Stylish Skirts (in English) » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics April 28, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    […] Another Japanese sewing book that has been translated to English, Yay! Adding that to the growing list 🙂 […]

  • Reply stacey July 11, 2014 at 1:46 am

    Brilliant! I remember finding Japanese craft books may 7-8 years ago via Ravelry wishing I was fluent in Japanese …. I had this great idea to translate the books and make a million dollars! The very best of luck to you.

  • Reply Nichole October 19, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever
    a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment.
    Is there a means you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!

  • Reply Dyah Nur Isnaini November 20, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    Hello….
    I am looking for a japanese handmade wallet book that is “more! Handmade YournWallet” that I have find in this website. How do I buy that book? Is that available in English version?
    I want to have that one.
    Thank You.

  • Reply Heidi December 1, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    Hi, i am new to Japanese pattern books and i really like your site, it is really informative! I like the patterns in simple modern sewing but I have read a couple of bad reviews of some of the patterns. I was wondering if you had heard whether this is a common experience. Thanks Heidi with the patterns in this book

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books December 5, 2014 at 9:03 am

      Hi Heidi, I don’t have this book, probably because it was published before I discovered it and I can’t seem to find it anywhere it the bookstores. So I can’t really judge if this is a good book. Sorry about that 🙂

  • Reply Happy 3rd Birthday to Japanese Sewing Books! » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics December 13, 2014 at 8:00 am

    […] a number of publishers caught the Japanese Sewing Books bug too and started translating some of the popular titles into English. Many of you have commented on how useful these books have been and can’t wait for more […]

  • Reply Book Review – Sew Sweet Handmade Clothes for Girls – Now in English! » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics April 3, 2015 at 10:48 am

    […] For a full list of Japanese sewing books that have been translated to English, click here. […]

  • Reply Book Review – Sew Chic Kids (Now in English) » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics April 16, 2015 at 10:43 am

    […] Check out my list of other English versions of Japanese Sewing Books here! […]

  • Reply Book Review – Happy Homemade : Sew Chic (in English) » Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics April 16, 2015 at 10:43 am

    […] out my list of other English versions of Japanese Sewing Books […]

  • Reply Using Japanese Sewing Books | Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics April 17, 2015 at 9:34 am

    […] one that has already  been translated – Japanese Sewing Books translated to English – Constantly updated list of Japanese Sewing Books that have been translated to English, and […]

  • Reply Margaret Parker February 21, 2016 at 11:29 pm

    I love your kids clothes but I’m looking for clothes for 10 year olds. Are there any books?

    • Reply Japanese Sewing Books February 27, 2016 at 10:40 am

      Hi, not in English at the moment, there are some Japanese books that go up to 140 and 150cm though.

  • Reply Maria Leo March 22, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    Hello,
    I have come across your website just a week ago and am amazed by the amount of information you make available.

    I would like to purchase the following book:
    (Military Wear Pattern Book written by Ryuichiro Shimazaki and published by Bunka Publishing Bureau)

    http://books.bunka.ac.jp/np/isbn/9784579114641/

    Would you be so kind as to let me know if is it available in English version?

    I know a lot of Italian and English tailors/dressmakers including myself would be interested in buying it, but nobody actually speaks Japanese…

    I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
    Kind regards from Italy

  • Reply New Releases – April – May Part 2 | Japanese Sewing, Pattern, Craft Books and Fabrics June 4, 2016 at 8:50 pm

    […] Tsukiori, I think many of you are familiar with her name by now, as many of her books have been translated into English. Title : 大人の女性に似合う服 Author : 月居 良子 ISBN No. : 978-4800247636 Buy now […]

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