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kids goods

Free Japanese Sewing Patterns Links Free Patterns

Free Japanese Sewing Patterns – Otsukaya

April 9, 2012

Today’s free pattern find was contributed by Alice Heil from Sommet Outta Nuthin… Thanks Alice! 🙂

The patterns are from Otsukaya.co.jp which is a fabric store with branches in Nagoya, Gifu and Osaka. Just like the fabric store I went to in Otaru, they provided free patterns with the sample products that were on display in the store. These are PDF patterns which require some construction using basic geometry. Some patterns are easy to construct (such as bags and small items) but there are also some that are more complicated (shirts and dresses) and require a bit more time.

The direct link to the patterns page is here – http://otsukaya.co.jp/TedukuriTop.htm .There are lots and lots of patterns. Scroll down all the way to the bottom and there are links to more archived pages of free patterns.

I really like the dress with the bright and colorful flowers. Really good idea for using with fabrics with border prints.
Check out the little kimono bag in the right column as well. It is so cute!

Here is an example of one of the patterns for making a yukata which is something like a casual lightweight kimono that they wear in summer. Looks a little complicated doesn’t it? But its mainly constructed out of rectangles and some curves, with a little bit of time and effort it should be quite doable. Now if only I can think of an occasion for the kids to wear this…. 🙂

Happy Sewing!

Bags or Zakka Sewing Patterns Book Reviews Japanese Sewing Books

Book Review – Handmade Rilakkuma

March 29, 2012

Today’s book is really fun. Have you heard of Rilakkuma? It’s a character from San-x, also known as Relax Bear. It’s one of my favourite characters. I have many Rilakkuma goods. Notepads, a tote bag, even have a 3D Rilakkuma iphone case! 🙂

For those of you who are fans, this is a great book. It provides you with the patterns to make all kinds of Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma goods. The crafts include Amigurumi (crochet dolls), felt mascot, stuffed toy, puppets, personal accessories, lunch goods, interior goods, appliques and even bath goods.

Stuffed toys! The only problem I have about this is where to find the correct fabric to make these.

This is much easier, tiny felt mascots. Felt is much easier to get in the correct colors 🙂

Awfully cute hair accessories!

I wanted to make this for my daughter’s lunch bag but her bottle is too big for it.

I love these! Coin pouches and sling bags. Perfect for little girls. I know they will both want the Korilakkuma purses. (White and pink)

Bath gloves! But need terry material in the right brown and orange. Korilakkuma should be easier?

As these are small goods and accessories, the pattern pieces fit into one page of the book. But it looks a little complicated. Some translation might be needed here.

Example of a how-to-make section for a keyring. Looks simple enough once you cut out the basic shapes. There are alot of labels with words but don’t worry, they are just telling you the body part, color of embroidery thread and type of stitch. All of these can be deduced from the finished product pictures in the beginning section of the book. And it’s ok to use a different stich if you want, so no real translation necessary here.

ISBN No : 978-4-391-13107-9

Free Japanese Sewing Patterns Links Free Patterns

Free Japanese Sewing Patterns – lecien.co.jp

March 26, 2012

Today’s free patterns come from one of my favourite Japanese fabric brands. Lecien Corporation  is a manufacturer of fabrics, handicrafts as well as ladies clothes and even lingerie. I’m sure most of us who sew will recognize their brand as a manufacturer, given that they produce so many pretty fabrics.

On their website, there is a hobby page with free patterns of bags, zakka items, quilt patterns and even embroidery patterns. Click here to view full list of free patterns. What’s interesting is that there are some garment patterns for adults and kids. But the pattern requires some construction as it is not possible for most of us to print out large size pattern paper. It takes a little work but it is a free pattern after all, so no pain no gain 🙂

Some of the patterns provided.

Quilt patterns!

Example of the pattern and the diagram to show how to construct the pattern. Note that the units are in cm!

That’s it for today! I will be posting my book reviews on Thursdays from now on due to a change in schedule.

Happy Sewing!

 

Book Reviews Japanese Sewing Books Ladies Sewing Patterns

Book Review – Pochée

January 10, 2012
Pochée kids special

Pochée magazine is a sewing magazine mainly for women, and I would never have discovered it if not for this.

Pochée kids special

I found this under the sewing books section while browsing in a bookstore in Japan, I couldn’t believe I have never seen this magazine before, since our local Kinokuniya does stock up a good variety of magazines. The name did sound familiar though, so I did a google and realized it is a magazine mainly for women, but there are a few kids patterns in each issue, although the cover always features a grown up. Which explains why I’ve never seen it because I’m more into sewing kids stuff.

This is a special edition with kids stuff only, and it has alot of stuff! From clothes (for both boys and girls), bags, even yukatas (casual summer kimonos)

projects from Pochée kids special

There are also fantastic step by step photographs showing you how to do the more difficult projects or new and important techniques to learn. No translations necessary here 🙂

techniques from Pochée kids special

There are also book recommendations, mainly books published by the same publisher as Pochée. There will be a free pattern contribution by the author of the new book, as well as the picture of the new book and it’s details.

One of my favourite sections – sewing spaces and a look into the homes of creative mums and the cool stuff they made for their kids. I love seeing their sewing rooms and how they organize their fabric, tools and notions.

And here, the real reason for buying this book 😉 I wanted to make a new backpack for school. This is what I made. You can read more about it and see more pictures at my other blog.

There is also an interesting section on how to make use of your kid’s drawings on interesting displays, fabric and even rainboots!

Information about the resources, fabrics and notions used in the projects. I love discovering new fabrics and online resources for buying more Japanese fabric and cute notions!

If you live near a Japanese bookstore, try looking under the craft books section if you can’t find it under the magazines, as this is a special edition and not a regular publication.

Title : Kids Sewing Pochee
ISBN No: 9784529049610