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Book Flip Through Videos Book Reviews Japanese Sewing Books in English

Book Flip-Through of A Year of Sewing with Nani Iro

July 2, 2022

It’s finally here! The long-awaited English translation of Naomi Ito’s latest sewing book – 季節をまとう 一年の服 . The English title of the book is “A Year of Sewing with Nani Iro” and it even has a brand new cover! I was so excited when Zakka Workshop sent me the book for a review, and as usual, they’ve done a great job with this one!

(Disclaimer : This post is sponsored by Zakka Workshop, but as always, the opinions are my own!)

I’ve shown the contents of the Japanese version previously, so yes at the risk of repeating myself, here’s the list of patterns included in this book. Oh wait, now I don’t have to translate it, it’s all in English!

Other than the obvious fact that everything is in English, I really appreciate the increased font sizes, black print (Japanese version was light blue) and also the more reader-friendly layout across the whole book. I can tell lots of thought has gone into the layout of the book, in the original book the number of pages was 96, in the English version it’s 136. Many of the diagrams were enlarged, and are not packed tightly in a single page in order to save space.

I reviewed the Japanese version in March 2021, when it was first released with the 2021 nani IRO collection. I did not refer to the previous book review, but randomly took a few photos from the English version, just to show you a few favorites as well as what the new layout looks like. Coincidentally there are quite a few patterns that remain on my to-do list. Looks like these are the ones I really have to make!

What’s different from this and the Japanese version, other than the language of course, is the addition of Imperial measurements alongside the original metric measurements. The measurements as well as fabric yardage, are provided primarily in yards and inches, with the metric equivalents in brackets. The size chart has also been updated to reflect international sizing standards, which is why in the original book you will see 2L instead of XL. This will benefit those who are unfamiliar with Japanese sizing which tend to run small.

In any case, due to the generous ease of the garments, the best way to decide which size to make is by referring to the Finished Sizes chart that is included in every garment’s set of instructions. You can see an example of the finished sizes in the image below. For garments with fitted details, like collars that have button enclosures, I would recommend not to size down more than 1 size in case they end up being too small.

On top of the usual patterns and instructions, there are 3 added sections to help you make use of the patterns in the book fully so as to fully utilise the patterns across all seasons. To be honest I did not pay much attention to these sections in the original version because there was too much text to translate and wade through, but now that it’s in English it makes for much easier reading.

“The Fabric” is based on all the fabric used in the book. The showcase is primarily based on nani IRO fabric of course, but also includes a few other substrates that were used to adapt the patterns for all seasons. For each substrate/print, the corresponding pattern is also listed below for easy reference.

There is another section called “Experimenting with the Patterns” which to us sewists, is like a pattern hack section. The designer herself, provided some creative ideas on how to make the patterns more interesting and unique. From simple hacks like length variations, to adding contrast details to the garments, lots of ideas here!

“Exploring the Garment Designs” brings you through each pattern and discusses the possible fabric variations as well as styling options. As mentioned previously, the fabric options are not limited to nani IRO’s range of fabric and include substrates like wool gauze and even faux fur to adapt the patterns for use during the cooler seasons. The use of different fabrics with different drape, finish and print can also lead to a very different look in the finished garment, and make it suitable for not just different seasons, but different occasions as well. There is also a difficulty scale which can help you decide which project you can probably handle given your skill level or time constraint.

Last but not least, here is the book flip-through of A Year of Sewing with Nani Iro. Enjoy!

Book Details

Title : A Year of Sewing with Nani Iro
Language : English
Author : Naomi Ito
Sizes : Ladies S-XL
No. of sewing projects : 18
Publisher : Zakka Workshop
Published date : July 5 2022
ISBN-13 : 978-1-940552-69-9

Where to buy
The book will be released on July 5th 2022, but you can pre-order your copy now from Zakka Workshop

As part of the book release, Zakka workshop will be giving away a copy of this book! More details on my Instagram post here -> “A Year of Sewing with Nani Iro” Book Giveaway

New to sewing Japanese patterns? I will be following up this post with a how-to-use Japanese patterns, using this book as an example. I’ve had a couple of blog posts on this topic before but nothing like a video tutorial to see how it’s actually done! Subscribe to my YouTube channel and you will be notified when the video is ready to premiere!

I’m also preparing for a sew-along for one of the patterns in this book. Stay tuned to my Instagram for more info! It will be some time in August and the sew-along will be at a very relaxed pace, so do join us for it after you’ve purchased the book!

Book Flip Through Videos Book Reviews Japanese Sewing Books

Book Flip Through Video of A Sunny Spot – Daily Simple & Comfy Clothes

April 2, 2021

Book Flip Through Video of A Sunny Spot – Daily Simple & Comfy Clothes

 

Book Details

Japanese Title : a sunny spot シンプルで着やすい まいにち服
English Title : A Sunny Spot – Daily simple & comfy clothes
Publisher : KADOKAWA
Published date : February 26, 2021
Language : Japanese
ISBN-13 : 978-4046051011

Where to buy

Here are the usual places I buy my books from, just compare the shipping to your own country and make sure you get the best deal!

  1. cdJapan – Click here to buy now (Affiliate link)
  2. Amazon.co.jp 
  3. Or search your local Kinokuniya using the ISBN number. (they have different websites for different countries, so you have to search from the one located in yours. If they don’t have it in stock they can order it for you at no extra cost, but you may have to wait.

Book Flip Through Videos Book Reviews Japanese Sewing Books

Book review of ATELIER to nani IRO’s Seasonal Clothes for the Year

March 24, 2021

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted any book reviews. But I HAVE been buying books. And this latest book from ATELIER to nani IRO which was very recently released definitely warrants a book review. I know many of you have been waiting to take a peek inside this one!
Disclaimer : This book was gifted to my by Nekoneko Fabric in exchange for a blog post and review. You can find this book listed in her store plus all the yummy fabrics used in the book as well! 

It’s been 3 years since the last sewing book from ATELIER to nani IRO so I would say it’s about time! This time round, the book’s launch coincides with the 20th anniversary of Naomi Ito Textile nani IRO, and all the projects in the book are based on the new fabrics released this year. The book includes 18 projects ranging from simple clothes for everyday wear, interesting designs that are a special and unique, and it comes with full-scale patterns for 4 sizes – S,M,L and 2L.

You will find pictures of the same pattern made using different substrates, as well as staff recommendations on coordinating different pieces together, to create an all year round wardrobe using nani IRO fabrics. Projects range from easy to advanced difficulties, from simple smocks that beginners can complete in a day, to dresses with elaborate details that you might want to make for special occasions.

I will share with you some of my favorite pieces, and also translate the full list of garments you can make from this book.

A – Cocoon smock
B – Cocoon knit dress
C – Bias tank top
D – Cocoon Short Haori
E – Freedom vest
F – Stand collar tuck dress
G – 2-way shirt
H – 2-way shirt tunic
I- Radio Tuck Dress
J – W wide pants
K – Farmers’ pants
L – Tapered pants
M – Antique skirt
N – Cache-coeur robe short sleeves
O – Cache-coeur robe eight-quarter sleeves
P – Cook dress
Q – Gathered dress sleeveless
R – Gathered dress long sleeves

First up is this very simple Cocoon smock. It reminds me of the famous Cocoon dress from the previous book, but in a shorter version. It is definitely a shape I would pick for everyday wear. Much more so than the dress length, so this goes in my sewing list!

F is a Stand tuck collar dress featuring a stand collar, and lots of interesting tucks for example along the shoulder, waist as well as the back. It is a very interesting shape and I am really quite curious how this would turn out when worn.

P – Had a bit of trouble translating this one. When I keyed it into Google translate, コックドレス is translated as Cock dress… Lol… I knew it can’t be right, so I searched for images instead. So apparently it meant a Cook Dress (Cook’s dress) or rather, a Chef’s dress. Because if you search コック the images returned are all of Cooks/Chefs. Anyway the front panel is inspired by the Chef’s coat, and I really like the look of this one, although I feel the belt looks a little makeshift.

On the right the model is wearing J – W wide tapered pants below the dress.

N – I love the front detail of this Cache-coeur robe short sleeves (Hang on let me search Wikipedia)

Cache-cœur (French for “hide the heart”) is a top for women, composed of two finished triangular parts, each having a strap. It is closed by overlapping the two segments and tying the straps behind the back or along the side, depending on the length. The triangular shape of the sides makes the garment a type of V-neck.
Source – Wikipedia

Most pics I found for Cache-coeur online are like V-neck wrap tops, so this style is an interesting and also modest play on the wrap style. It is very interesting indeed! On the right picture it shows the robe paired with L – a pair of tapered pants.

On the left we have A – the cocoon top in cotton silk (Love this color!) and the bottom is M – antique skirt in a Rexcell. The draping of both fabrics look great. What a casual but luxurious outfit!

On the right is Q – Gathered sleeveless dress. This reminds me a bit of the Work dress in the previous book. But the design is entirely different. There is a yoke with a gathered bodice, and also front ties that you can choose to leave untied for a more rebellious look.

H is the 2-way shirt tunic. This design comes in shirt length and tunic length. And the 2-way refers to wearing it either front to back or back to front. What a great way to get two looks out of one garment! 😆

There is a section that shows you all the garments made from different substrates, grouped by pattern name. This gives you an idea of how the finished piece will look in different fabrics. I think this is a really really good marketing tactic because it really makes me want to buy more fabric.

2 double sided full size pattern sheets. Do note that Seam allowances are NOT included, so you have to trace out the diagrams and then add them on following the individual pattern instructions.

And here’s the size chart for your reference. On the left column (bottom 4 rows) it says – Height, Bust, Waist, Hip. All units in cm.

There are more projects in the book but I can’t cover them all here, so I will leave you to browse through in the book flip through video below.

Where to buy

I get asked this alot so I will try to list down a few possible sources.

  1. From Nekoneko.co – https://www.nekoneko.co/products/atelier-to-nani-iro-2021-sewing-pattern-book
  2. cdJapan – Click here to buy now (Affiliate link)
  3. Amazon.co.jp 
  4. Or your local Kinokuniya (they have different websites for different countries, so you have to search from the one located in yours. If they don’t have it in stock they can order it for you at no extra cost, but you may have to wait.

Book Flip Through Videos Book Reviews

Book Flip Through Review – Coat Sewing

December 10, 2018

cover

Today’s book review will take on a different format, one that I hope will allow me to post more book reviews quicker and faster! So what’s the difference? I noticed that ever since I started posting book flip through videos, the photos became quite redundant. So I’m going to just post the videos on various channels, and then summarise my thoughts about this book in my blog. I hope that this will speed things up a lot more because I have so many books sitting on my desk waiting to be reviewed I fear I will never catch up with them all!

Today’s book review is about this book on Sewing Coats. Don’t ask me why I bought it, but I have a strange obsession with coats. I really wish I could wear them more often but it’s so hot here in Singapore, even in December. But never mind, I bought the book anyway because I’m really interested to know how to make one!

So here’s the book flip through video, and I’ll share my thoughts about the book below!

There are 18 different coats you can make from this book, and the main categories are the pattern styles – there is the Drop Shoulder / Raglan Sleeve / Tailer Collar coat, Set in Sleeve as well as the Kimono sleeves. Each of the 18 coats are a variation of one of these main pattern types. The patterns are for Ladies size S-LL.

Based on these 5 different basic templates, are 18 different arrangements you can make. Detailed step by step lesson are provided for the Tailored coat which is fully interfaced and lined. I believe it is the most complicated of them all so there are lots of techniques that you can refer to from here.

There are also detailed step by step photos you need for making different types of pockets – namely, Patch pockets, Seam pockets (side pockets), Welt pockets, Box pockets (direct translation from Japanese but I think these are single welt pockets/ broad welt side pockets).

With these detailed instructions, you can make up any kind of coat, even mix and match your own styles from trench coat to duffle coat, to the simple collarless style which I love so much.

So if you love coats and especially if you actually need one this winter (or even the next), why not make one of your own? I think this book provides really clear instructions and not much translation seems to be needed. In fact, the rating on this book on Amazon was 4.6 stars, and most of them said that the instructions were easy to understand.

Coat wo Nuo. Sorosoro Chosen, Totteoki no Icchaku step up sewing / Katayama Yuko

Title : コートを縫おう (Coats Sewing)
Author : かたやま ゆうこ (Katayama Yuko)
ISBN No. : 978-4391151497

button_buy-now-from-cdjapan (1)(affiliate link)

Book Reviews Japanese Craft Books

Book Flip Through Review and Giveaway – Pom Pom Animals

November 19, 2018

Today’s book review is not a sewing book but a craft book, and it is oozing with so much cuteness that you will not be able to resist!

before I start, some back story about how I came to discover this book.

I received an email one day from a very nice lady called Yumi from Nippan IPS.NIPPAN IPS is one of the largest exporters and importers in Japan. They represent a lot of Japanese publishers and specialize in books on fashion, art, architecture, photography, hobby and travel. You can see their book catalogues on Issuu.com and it’s really exciting to find another source of Japanese books that have been translated to English!

Yumi told me that they have some very interesting Japanese sewing and craft books that have been, and will be translated soon. So she asked if I would like to take a look. I think the answer was clear! 🙂

So the first book I am reviewing today is called Pom Pom Animals, and yup it is literally making animals out of Pom Poms. If you think that the results will look like what you get from doing arts and crafts in grade school, well, be prepared to be amazed!

The author of the book is Tsubasa Kuroda, a.k.a. trikotri (her IG account has lots of cute pom pom animal pictures!), born in 1981 and graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. She started working on pom-poms while working for a handicraft store, and now creates accessories and small handcrafts. She’s been selling pom pom animal kits for a while, and this was her first published book in 2016. Since then she has released 2 other books on pom pom animals as well.

But more about this book. This book was originally published in 2016, and very highly rated on Amazon. Lots of pictures and diagrams to follow and it shouldn’t be hard to follow even in Japanese, but guess what? Nothing beats having the book translated to English, and now it’s been done by Nippan IPS!

frontcover

This book includes 45 products made of wool. You will also need some other simple materials like eyes and felt to complete the look.

There are soooooo many cute animals in the book that I’m just highlighting some of them here, because I will leave the rest for you to browse in the book flip-through video.

redpanda

This was the first one that caught my eye, it really looks innocent (as described) doesn’t it? 😛

cat

Literally lol-ed at this combination. It’s like a cat being caught trying to steal bread – it has this startled look, and it’s so small and cute, just the size of a little bun.
budgeries

If you are not a fan of keeping real live pets, these are a great substitute! They are completely fuss free to keep and add so much color to the room.

shelf

Some more hidden pets…

you might think they are only good for display, but in the book there are instructions on how to adapt these pom poms, by adding a backing and brooch pins, to be used as decorative accessories.

hat

Now you must be wondering, the pom pom animals look so life-like and realistic, it must be difficult to create right? Well, I wouldn’t say you are wrong, because you do need some artistic sense of balance to trim the pom poms into shape. But the instructions give you a very clear and precise method to the forming of the different colored layers. Straight down to the number of rounds you need to wind, as well as the angle you should wind it at. Here is an excerpt of the section on how to read the instructions.

instructions

Then more detailed pictures follow – there are a few animals which are demonstrated in full detail, the rest of the projects are basically variations in color and placement of the different layers /

instructionssample backcover

I also found a YouTube video of an interview with the author – Tsubasa Kuroda and if you want to see more of her cute projects.

So by now you must be wondering, like I first did when I received the book. My kids and I were gushing over the cute pictures but could we actually make one ourselves? It seemed highly impossible. My kids requested for ME to make many of the animals, they couldn’t decide which one they liked best because they were all so cute. I asked THEM to make it themselves since they were just idling at home (School holidays have started). But they just rejected the idea, saying that they will never be able to make it as well.

I asked a friend to help me buy some pom pom makers – they are available in some craft shops in Singapore, but I only managed to pick it up from her about a week later. My kids jumped into making pom poms. They made like a box full of fluffy balls, but no one attempted the animals. So I asked my #2 to make me a white pom pom and said I would try the simplest bear pattern.

Ok so do you want to see what I made? Erm, it looks nothing like the ones in the book. I was trying to make a simple bear, since it was my first time and I had no idea if I was able to do the shaping. And so after I mustered up enough courage to make the first snips into that perfect ball of wool (it’s just a ball of wool!) I gathered momentum and went around snipping furiously. It was really therapeutic to hear the scissors go snip snip snip. Had to go slow and inspect it from all angles, to prevent over-zealous trimming… but it was not too bad!

 

whitebearfront

Luckily I have some felting wool and my felting needs so the nose was quite easily done. I had some sew-in eyes too, but I felt they were too big, so I used simple black beads. I might have sewn them in a little too tight though, I thought the eyes were not so clear from the front view. But maybe a bit more trimming around the muzzle might help. All in all, I really surprised myself at what I could do! It was really simple to follow, just need a little patience.

whitebearside

From this angle you can see that it needs a bit more trimming around the sides, he still looks a bit scraggly….but I think I will leave it at that.

Then my eldest got inspired and she chose a harder project. Tadah!

rabbit

So you can see, if you follow the instructions, it is not impossible! Just have to try…. If you are asking me to, is it necessary to have a pom pom maker? Not really, but it really helps. I’ve made lots of pom poms as a kid too, using two pieces of donut shaped cardboard but it is a lot easier to wind 400 rounds on each half because the pom pom maker is designed to open up and let you have full access to each semi-circle portion. They are not that expensive too and if you are keen on making a whole zoo of pom pom animals, this will be a great investment!

Do you feel like making these cute animals all by yourself? To get you kick started, we have a giveaway just for you!

GIVEAWAY

Would you like to make one of your own? You might have a chance to win a copy of this book – POM POM ANIMALS by trikotri
generously sponsored by the publisher NIPPAN IPS!

PLUS I will also send  you
a set of 4 Clover pom pom makers (35/45/65/85mm)
all the sizes you need to make the pompom animals in the book!

This giveaway will run on my Instagram account only (due to FB’s confusing maze of rules).

 IG page – https://www.instagram.com/japanesesewingbooks/

The giveaway will run for a week from today till
Monday 26th Nov 9am UTC +8hrs).

WHERE TO BUY

Want to buy own your own copy? Pom Pom Animals (in English) is available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk (Aff links)

Clover Super Pom Pom makers are also available on Amazon