sewing clothes crazy
wow-wow-wow! Thank you all so much for your mailorder enthusiasm! It feels great and I have to get busy stuffing envelopes and ignore the new crafts books I got. . .
I scored pretty good at the the bookstore I picked up quite a few sewing books. Clothes style. Here is one that is making me a bit crazy right now. so lovely. The cover with the ISBN and all that info is right here.
This would be wonderful in a crazy print too. This books comes with patterns and I'm not going to accept that they probably won't fit me. We will have to just see how much altering I need to do.
I love this contrasting ribbon.
Just beautiful! I am a size 16 so there is no way the patterns would fit me! I love to look though and dream!! I am so excited about issue 3 ( I'm up at 5.30AM with Molly so I jumped as soon as I got your e-mail) The next round is subcription only yeah?
Posted by: justine | June 08, 2006 at 03:17 PM
justine-
yup-and the sale will be for a few days so everyone should be able to get one (crossing fingers!)
Posted by: amy k. | June 08, 2006 at 03:23 PM
this book looks amazing!! oh i need a japanese book store in baltimore!!
Posted by: traci | June 08, 2006 at 03:52 PM
I remember my first clothes shopping trip in Korea. I'm 5'3" and was excited to think I might finally find something that would fit! My excitement quickly dwindled when I realized that though the clothes were indeed petite, they just weren't designed for an Army girl's biceps...sigh...but these are beautiful patterns!
Posted by: madmommy | June 08, 2006 at 06:23 PM
hmmm, tiny patterns huh? its not to often that i get an advantage, especially when it comes to shoes. time to start shopping for asian clothes!
Posted by: hannah | June 08, 2006 at 06:37 PM
i love that black and white dress. the flip of the fabric on the bottom is a nice touch.
Posted by: gleek | June 08, 2006 at 07:00 PM
So much wonderfulness!
Posted by: vegasandvenice | June 08, 2006 at 07:14 PM
these are killing me! that first picture especially. i love that little offset tie.
Posted by: molly | June 08, 2006 at 07:18 PM
I love the Japanese patterns and craft books. I am planning a trip to Japan just to go and get some books and fabrics and look at their stuff! I love Japanese design. Maybe it is the thousands of years they have had to develop it that sets them apart from the rest of the world? I don't know really.
Love the first dress and am very glad that I was made in a small size.
Cheers
Mia
Posted by: Mia | June 08, 2006 at 07:33 PM
Beautiful book! I have what is probably a silly question for you: do the Japanese craft books (e.g., this one, others I've seen while lurking on blogs for soft toys, etc.) have English translations of the pattern directions? Or do you have to be experienced enough to be able to figure out what to do from the pictures? I'm a beginner, so definitely need directions! I live in Tucson, so don't have access to those books in stores to check them out for myself. However, if I knew their were some directions in English, I would like to order one online. Thanks for any help you can offer!
Posted by: Sara | June 08, 2006 at 07:50 PM
I almost bought this "camisole and one-piece" book awhile ago here in Tokyo, but the reviews on Amazon scared me away...problems with fit, patterns, inconsistent sizing, etc. Some people recommended adding darts and things to the very basic patterns for improved fit. Also, some of the seam allowances are off and instructions contain errors. But I would totally believe that you could attack this book and make a beautiful garment, Amy!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 08, 2006 at 09:04 PM
yes--I love the blouse with the red ribbon. I'm going to try to figure a pattern like that out--I just can't bring myself to pay the high ebay/amazon.co.jp/yesasia prices for those lovely books. I do love this one, though! Maybe when I get back from France.
Posted by: eireann | June 08, 2006 at 09:58 PM
ohh I love that blouse :) that ribbon is just too sweet :)
Posted by: Helen | June 09, 2006 at 12:42 AM
These are charming--too youthful for me but would be lovely on my daughters. If I could get them out of blue jeans.
Posted by: Deborah | June 09, 2006 at 12:49 AM
Such beautiful clothes! Not going to suit my definitively non-asian figure, but boy are they pretty to look at.
Posted by: Meg | June 09, 2006 at 03:57 AM
ohmy!!!!
The blouse on the first pic and the 3rd pic are so simple and beautiful.
Please post photos of whatever you make!
Posted by: tuscanycastlegirl | June 09, 2006 at 04:26 AM
Oh I can't believe how much I love these styles.
I wish I could sew better-I am dying to try. I would never be able to figure out how to follow patterns in japanese though.
I too am pretty non japanese body type.
Just wanted to add, that I just discovered you site and I am so excited that I got an order in!
Posted by: Thea | June 09, 2006 at 05:51 AM
I've wanted to try making a few skirts this summer, but have been a bit aprehensive, I think I'll just go for it. The pictures are so beautiful. I've never run across any Japanese books here in Western North Carolina.
Posted by: Lori | June 09, 2006 at 06:43 AM
top #11, the sleeveless, i have a pattern that makes that shirt. i'll have to look up the pattern number. it sews up excellently and quite quickly.
Posted by: michelle | June 09, 2006 at 09:21 AM
Beautiful! I just love that sleeveless shirt with the ribbon!
Posted by: Scribbles & Bits | June 09, 2006 at 09:23 AM
Oooh, I just love that top gray dress. So pretty! I can't wait to see your take on it.
Posted by: Kelli | June 09, 2006 at 09:48 AM
I also have this book and I tried making #21 (or 22, it's the last one) with no success. I'm hiding this book in the back of my bookcase. I hope you'll make something and inspire me to try again.
Posted by: Amanda | June 09, 2006 at 05:10 PM
Where in Portland do you go to get these? Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by: Kristin | June 09, 2006 at 08:30 PM
I second Kristin's question. What book store? Does Uwajimaya sell them?
Posted by: HeatherJ | June 09, 2006 at 10:16 PM
Goodness. Bias plaid skirt and straight plaid bodice. Just beautiful. You're making me want to sew clothes instead of quilts. I'm horrible at fitting anything on this post-kid body although that non-fitting waistline on #11 is calling my name.
Posted by: kathy | June 10, 2006 at 09:00 PM
They look so beautiful, and simple syyles to wear those dresses. Thankyou for sharing then.
Posted by: weirdbunny | June 10, 2006 at 11:09 PM
Oh i wish i had a Japanese book store within distance! I love the top in the middle!
Pictures are posted from my most unexpected presence at the QUILT WALK in Panguitch Utah, where a renowned 82 year old QUILTING PIONEER, Blanch Young- gave an hour talk and WALK through her LIFE OF QUILTING-just amazing. Do come and see -add any comments as I have zero quilting knowledge and or skills. Share them with your QUILTING FRIENDS!
Namaste,
MB in JT
visit me -> http://thedesertdaybyday.blogspot.com
Posted by: marybeth | June 11, 2006 at 05:43 PM
Okay, you are killing us with these photos. I am not a tiny Japanese woman, don't I wish, but I think these would look good on a lot of body types, and now I must go call Iwajimaya and see if they have any more.
Posted by: Dina | June 11, 2006 at 10:51 PM
Ooooh! I've been sighing after the great and cute Japanese craft books that people post on their blogs. This is one of the best ones I've seen and I really really want it :)
Posted by: Lina | June 12, 2006 at 05:10 AM
those are just too cute!!
Posted by: Dacia | June 12, 2006 at 12:00 PM
umm....
I tried looking up the ISBN on Amazon and get something completely different...Where should i be looking for this book?
Thanks
Posted by: liz | June 12, 2006 at 03:35 PM
Kinokuniya has this book online - I managed to get a copy in Australia - so maybe try them instead of Amazon ... You do have to search in Japanese books though, and sort of hope for the best in the ordering process!
Posted by: Tiffany | June 13, 2006 at 08:03 PM
Wonderful!!!
Posted by: claudia gil | June 20, 2006 at 01:21 PM