Monthly Archives

July 2013

Giveaways

Summer Magazine Giveaway – Cotton Friend

July 29, 2013

So, being terribly ambitious, I said I was going to release a new pattern today. But it was not meant to be. I’m still in the middle of drafting the different sizes and testing out patterns, I have not even started on the video/photo taking yet 🙁

So in the absence of a “real” blog post (so that I can devote more time to my patterns), here’s a Summer magazine giveaway! Cotton Friend Summer Edition 2013 Vol 47. I just reviewed this magazine recently, you can read the magazine review here.

To make it simple for everyone, including myself 🙂 All you have to do is to like my page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/JapaneseSewingBooks and leave a comment below. One comment per person and only comments left below will be considered as an entry, not facebook comments. Thank you!

The giveaway ends this Thurs 1 August 2013 at 9am, Singapore time, equivalent to:
London (United Kingdom – England) Thursday, 1 August 2013, 02:00:00 BST UTC+1 hour
New York (U.S.A. – New York) Wednesday, 31 July 2013, 21:00:00 EDT UTC-4 hours
Corresponding UTC (GMT) Thursday, 1 August 2013, 01:00:00
(for more time zone conversions http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html)

I will pick a winner and announce it on Thursday.

And the winner is! Amanda Lee Matthews! Congratulations Amanda! I will be emailing you soon to get your mailing address.
To the rest of you who didn’t win, thank you all for participating and your new Likes 🙂

Have a great weekend!

Book Reviews Japanese Sewing Magazines Ladies Sewing Patterns

Magazine Review – Female Summer 2013

July 22, 2013

Another Summer magazine and one of my staples every season. It’s the Female magazine Summer edition 2013.

What I love about sewing magazines is that there is always a much larger number of projects compared to a sewing book, but do note that not ALL the actual size patterns are included in this one. Some of them require the use and modification of a basic sloper block. For those of you who are not familiar with drafting your own patterns, there are 2 large actual size pattern sheets included for some of the projects. Sizes included : S,M,L and LL.

Here are some of the projects I like!

Peplum & Ruffle Dress

 I glanced through the magazine at the bookshop and I decided that I really like these three different looks, but did not notice the fine print – these need to be made from a basic sloper pattern. Meaning that no actual size pattern is included.

 Pretty puff sleeve dress with Lace fabric.

 Summer tanks in a cheery yellow floral print with scalloped edges. Love the fabric, these are usually more pricey due to the finished edges, but it really does give it a professionally finished look doesn’t it?

 I really like this shift, as it reminds me of a dress I wore too much back in my uni days. I want to make this one!

 The shape and style of this dress is very pretty, but I think the size is too big for the model, or the model is too tiny.

Another  dress I am determined to make. In fact I’ve already traced and cut out the patterns for this one!  They even teach you how to co-ordinate for different occasions.

Is this the latest trend or something? Loud Prints + Baggy pants?

 Just had to share a close up. 🙂 I’m not making one of these. But I have actually seen people wear these pants in Japan. Loud floral prints, but thankfully not as baggy as these.

Nice basic sleeveless blouse design, which unfortunately calls for the use of a sloper.

Other than clothes,there are some pretty bag patterns too.

A 3 way clutch/sling bag/tote.

The Summer staple for ladies – the yukata. The one missing pattern in Cotton Friend this season.

Ok here’s how to tell if the pattern is included. Under the description of each garment, There will be this line highlighted by an asterisk. If you see the words within the note “実物大型紙” (actual size large pattern sheet) then you know the pattern can be found on the pattern sheet.

If you see this instead ”この作品はじか裁ちで作れます” – it means you have to cut out your patterns (but these usually mean constructing simple shapes and curves on the fabric)

For patterns using slopers, you will see the words “この作品は文化式製図”  which literally means “This project uses the Bunka style construction diagram“.

There are detailed diagrams to show you how to construct the basic sloper from which you make your modifications.

For those of you who fear drafting patterns, fret not. There are still many projects with actual size patterns, and some of them include step by step photographs.

There are also some projects that come with colored diagrams. which I feel is very helpful when identifying the right and wrong sides of fabric.

For the rest of the projects, here is an example of the how-to-make page. This happens to be one of the projects included in the pattern sheets, but the detailed measurements are included on the diagrams. Which makes it look kind of scary until you realize you can just ignore the complicated diagrams since the patterns are included.  It will be useful for those of you wanting to make your own patterns using your own custom measurements.

A close up of the step by step diagrams.

Here are the pattern sheets included.

There is also a small magazine insert, highlighting the new brands and trends in Japanese fashion this season.

Next week I am hoping to release a new pattern, so I’m going to have to work hard on it all week. Wish me luck!

 

Japanese Fabrics

Summer Fabrics 2013

July 18, 2013

In the spirit of summer, let’s have a look at some really “cool” fabrics, especially the fabrics used in Japan for making Yukatas and Jinbeis !

There are no strict rules for the type of fabrics that can be used for yukatas and jibeis, but most of the fabrics recommended in the magazines are 100% cotton and are usually lightweight, in a great variety of prints and almost always brightly colored. For Spring/Summer releases, there will always be this particular fabric called “リップル  サッカー” which translates directly from the English words Ripple  Sucker (as in Seersucker) fabric. Lightweight and cooling, with a rippled texture that means it’s rather crease resistant (or rather you can’t really see the creases thanks to the ripples :P).

Here are some I’ve come across, many of them by Mico Ogura (designer of Puti de pome and Ecrulat)

I know an Elephant lover who will squeal over this one!
Image from http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/ecb-12/

 

Triangles? look carefully for the foxes and rabbits hiding in the fabric.
Image from http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/ecb-14/ 

My kids are really into watching Running Man (a Korean variety show) and one of their favorite funny characters is nicknamed Giraffe. So they get really tickled even seeing pictures of Giraffes. And these are so cute! Especially the one on pink fabric. I love that shade of pink. Not too pastel or gaudy. Just a nice sweet pink.
Image from http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/ecb-11/ 

From far it looks like a traditional Japanese wave pattern print, but look closely and you can see cute little Starfishes and fishes scattered among the waves.
Image from http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/ecb-15/ 

Here’s a sweet cherry fabric for sweet little girls!
Image from http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/ecb-13/ 

 

Hello Kitty Seersucker fabric! This will be so cute on not just a yukata but also a summer dress.
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/5921x/?s-id=pc_srecommend_01

 

Another traditional looking Japanese fabric but with Hello Kitty heads scattered all around. Lol.
Image from  http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/asanoha/ 

 

Snoopy enjoying the Summer fireworks!
Image from http://item.rakuten.co.jp/nakanotetsu/5921y/ 

If you need a pattern for a kids jinbei, check out my previous magazine review on Cotton Friend Summer 2013. There was even a Men’s pattern included so that you can make it for the whole family!

 

Bags or Zakka Sewing Patterns Book Reviews Japanese Sewing Magazines Ladies Sewing Patterns

Magazine Review – Cotton Friend Summer 2013

July 15, 2013

Time for some Summer sewing magazine reviews! Let’s have a look at Cotton Friend Summer edition 2013. Vol 47.

Words in bold  – “Summer Sewing Plan”

Lots of projects to make! From clothes to bags and accessories.

A drapey linen-knit cardigan made up of trapeziums and rectangles.

Caftan

Gathered Dress

Tiered skirt

 Summer Tops

 Things to make with border print knits (horizontal stripes)

Wrap dress in different variations

 There are a couple of Mama + girl sets. Like these culottes.

Matching Aprons

As usual, summer editions always come with yukata or jinbei patterns. This time round, Men sizes S,M,L are included! The kids jinbei are also included (80, 100, 120). But no ladies yukata though, I guess it is too common in most other Summer magazines so it was not included. If you need one, there is a pattern available in the summer edition of Female magazine which I will be reviewing next week.

Now that you have made all the clothes, there is a section that shows you how to mix and match the garments made in this issue, for 14 days. In other words, 14 different looks.

Other than clothes, there are also some accessories patterns included, such as this cap in both kids and adult sizes,

Summer-y Tote Bags.

 More bags – that’s a Ness home fabric!

 Insulated lunch bags.

One of the reasons why I love Cotton Friend is because they don’t just cover clothes and hats and bags, but also you get to discover new crafty stuff. Did you know you can buy an umbrella pattern, and even the bare umbrella metal frame to make your own customized umbrella?

More craft tools and ideas on how to use them.

This issue even includes origami instructions for making a Kumamon – the mascot for Kumamoto prefecture.

Back to the sewing bits. Like all magazines, there will be a few featured projects where there will be detailed step by step pictures, like the ones below.

As for the rest, there will be diagrams like this one. Not all the diagrams are colored nicely like this though, the more straightforward projects that are included at the back of the magazine usually come in black and white diagrams.

There are two sets of actual size pattern sheets included with this issue.

And that’s it! I love Summer issues because there are alot of wearable clothes for our climate over here. Next week I will be showing you what’s inside the Summer edition of Female magazine. Stay tuned!

 

Buying Guide Japanese Fabrics

Directions to nani IRO Atelier

July 11, 2013

While the memory is still fresh in my mind, I thought it would be useful to jot down the directions to the nani IRO Atelier in Osaka. Some of you who might be heading to Osaka for a holiday might find it useful if you are going fabric shopping. It is definitely worth a visit if you are a big fan, because not only do they have the latest fabrics, there are also fabrics archived from the past seaons. There are limited prints and mostly pre-cut fabrics. There are also ready made Zakka goods (SUMAU nani IRO range) available for sale. In any case, if you are a fan, you will love it!

Before I left, I saved a copy of the map from their official site on my phone, but I still got lost. I think the main reason is because there were too many lines and road names and not many landmarks on the map itself. So I decided to create my own (at the bottom of the page) where you only need to know the major road to follow, and the landmarks to guide you along the way.

First of all, take the subway to the 肥後橋 (Higobashi) station. Here I am taking it from Namba station.


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

Once you get to the station, follow the directions in the station, and look for Exit 7. You will emerge from the underground subway station via this stairs, landing right outside this shop called Aoki Men’s Plaza (see the blue sign in the picture above?) which sells Menswear. Walk in the direction of the green arrow in the picture. You will cross junction #1 after the green arrow.

Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

At the next block, you will see a Japan Post Office (Orange sign). Keep walking along the main road in the direction shown above. Walk past the Japan Post Office and you will cross junction #2 (see the crossing in the picture?)


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

Just before the next junction (#3), you will see this brown building with a blue signboard. The name of the building is way up on the top, so I didn’t see it at first. And the alley didn’t look quite right, as there were no visible shops from the main road. But this is the right turning, so turn into the alley and walk straight ahead.


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

You will pass by a open air public carpark on the left. Keep walking down the alley.


Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

At the next block you should see a courier service office (with the blue sign) on the left. This is were I asked for directions because I just wasn’t sure I was on the right track. But it is the right way, so keep walking. You will need to cross another junction after this block with the courier office.

Click on image to view larger picture (picture from Google Maps street view)

After crossing the junction, you should see quite a large neighbourhood park on the right. On the left there is a row of low buildings.

The white one! The name of the building is 壽会館ビル – which you see in gold words. Atelier to nani IRO is on the second floor. See the flag hanging from the window? I almost missed it because there were some trucks parked in the building before it. Anyway, enter the building and you will see a steep flight of stairs on the left. Take the stairs to get to the second floor. and there you are!

No photos allowed in the store, so this was the first photo I snapped on my mobile after shopping. It’s a big bag. And they wrapped it in plastic carefully because it was raining.

Back in the hotel, admiring my purchases, wishing I bought more 🙂

Carefully wrapped presents for two very lucky friends.

Click on image to view larger picture

Here is the simplified map. One thing to note, the instructions on the official site said to get out at Exit 8, but Exit 7 is actually nearer.

Photo credits : Many of the street view photos are taken from Google Maps and I added further directions. It was raining cats and dogs on the day I went, so it was impossible to take any photos with my DSLR and hold an umbrella and find my way at the same time. The street view feature on Google Maps is quite amazing. you can try it for yourself and see.


View Larger Map