A to Z

In the middle of my recent sewing craze, I came across this inspiring Japanese sewing book.

   

The ISBN is 978-4-579-11204-3.  I love almost everything in this book.  Most of the shapes are very simple, but the construction is rather unconventional (think sewing in the vein of Norah Gaughan or Teva Durham's knits).

   

One of the patterns I would really like to try is the white v-neck t-shirt, which is double-layered from folding with a twist a piece of cloth that's cut in one piece.  I wish I can explain it better, but trust me, it's cooool.

   

I have some stripey Nani Iro gauze for the tank dress, and the reversible skirt on the right would be very wearable too.  The pictoral instructions in this book are a bit scant compared to other Japanese books I've used, and there're things like welt pockets for the shorts in the middle right-hand picture, so I wouldn't recommend this book for a total beginner.

From all the patterns to choose from, I started with the jacket in the upper right hand picture, because I happened to have a slubby loosely woven cotton that was perfect for it.

 

There're three versions of this jacket in the book, but I only had enough fabric to do the simplest, which doesn't have facings nor a lining. 

   

The fabric is cut on the bias, so it doesn't fray too badly, except around the neckline and parts of the pockets.  Still, I was very paranoid about it falling apart, so I used nearly a whole bottle of Fray-check on all the raw edges (inside seams are serged).  I think it was overkill though, because the edges are kind of stiff now.  :p

Comments

[silvia]

Wow! Super jacket! That works with skirts and jeans and the construction details are so wonderful.

I was just at Kinokunya in San Francisco, but didn't see that book. I shall have to go back and sort through them all again. I love the intricate construction ideas.

Ok! Now make something else...(clearly I love your work). :)

[kirsty]

Love, love, love the jacket - the buttons are fabulous

[africaliving]

I recently bought this book too on ebay and found your blog. I love all the pieces, and the jacket especially is simply fantastic.