First Japanese Sewing Week

Welcome to the First Japanese Sewing Week!

I love Japanese Sewing Books. This is because of their timeless patterns and clean aesthetic. I bought my first book, Yoshiko Tsukiori's "Girls Style Book", around 2 years ago and this is still one of my favorite sewing books. From this book, so far I made many Tunics A (here, here and here) and one Tunic C (here). 

Soon after, I bought Ruriko Yamana's "Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids" and from this book I made the lovely Ribbon Tied-blouse (here) and the Knee-length Shorts for my boy (not blogged yet). Love this book. 

After using these books, I realized that I needed to buy every Japanese sewing book available in English at Amazon.com so I purchased Yuki Araki's "Sew Sweet Handmade Clothes for Girls", Yoshiko Tsukiori's "Sewing for your Girls" and "Girly Style Wardrobe" and more recently, Akiko Mano's "Linen, Wool, Cotton Kids". 

On top of this, my sweet friend Rita gave me Yoshiko Tsukiori's "Stylish Dress Book". 

So, here's my precious collection!

The "Stylish Dress Book" has women patterns. Sewing for myself isn't something that I had in the plans when I started to sew. Yet, the idea started to grow in my mind last year, and I even tried two pdf patterns, but did not like how they turned out. 

Yet, when Sara first talked about the idea of organizing a Japanese Sewing Week, I thought I should give it a try and now I am so happy that I did!

So, enough bla bla bla: here is what I made for myself:

I made pattern F: Tunic dress with slit sleeves. 

This is a basic A line dress with two really cute features: the neckline and the slit sleeves. This can be worn as a dress or as a tunic like I did here. 

I am so happy with the result. This is exactly the type of garment that I use regularly. Because of my past bad experiences, I was really anxious to see how it would fit me and it is perfect! I made the tunic in size 8, which is the size I use for my RTW clothes. I did not make any changes or adjustments, except for the length which I shortened a little (around an inch). 

The instructions in the book are not very detailed. They basically, list the steps that need to be taken. Yet, it does have very helpful diagrams to help us with the more tricky parts. In this case, the construction of the tunic is very simple and for neckline and sleeves, the book has very clear diagrams. 

The only think that I dislike (which is common to all books and many magazines as well), is that the seam allowances are not included. It is fairly easy to add them, but it is a bit boring :-).

For the fabric, I used Dowry by Ana Maria Horner's for Westminster Fibers. I found this fabric on sale at the International Quilt Market and just couldn't resist to the print. Love it. The cotton is really soft, but I think is not very appropriate for apparel. Next time I will have to look for a different fabric. 

Anyways, I really enjoyed sewing for myself and I now I really want to try other (all) patterns of this book. 

Hope you liked it! 

Now, the good news: thanks to Tuttle Publishing and Urban Sew, our amazing sponsors, there is a giveaway running along with this tour! There will be three lucky winners. Each winner will win one of the following prizes: 

- One pack of 2 two Japanese Sewing books from Tuttle Publishing

- One pack of 2 two Japanese Sewing books from Tuttle Publishing

- A $40 fabric voucher from Urban Sew 

All you have to do is to try your chances by entering the Rafflecopter below. The more entries you validate the more chances you have to win!

The giveaway will be open from November 16 to November 25.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now, if you haven't already, you must check what the other amazing bloggers are making in this series and get ready because you will be astonished… 

Monday:

In a Manner of Sewing |  Conversas de Hermanas | Pequenos e Verdes

Tuesday:

Climbing the Willow | Bartracks and Singletrack | S is for Sewing |  Mamacosesola

Wednesday:

Fairies, Bubbles & Co. | Sewing Like Mad | As it Seams 

Sewing For Mini Me

Thursday:

La Folie Sewing Booth | Just Add Fabric | Blogless Anna  

Sweeter Than Cupcakes | Needle and Ted

Friday:

Miss Castelinhos | Made by Toya | Lil Luxe Collection | House of Estrela

Saturday:

Patty Made It | Paisley Roots | Rita Pirolita | Call Ajaire

Sunday:

 So-cal Sewing Mom | Kiwi Crafty Chemist | Sew Shelly Sew 

Made by Sara

PORTUGUESE BLOGGERS SEW OTTOBRE

Ottobre Design, the Finnish sewing magazine is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. As such, a group of 15 Portuguese sewing bloggers friends thought that it could be fun if all of us would sew a project from a magazine. We have been thinking about this for a while, but October just seemed the right month to do it. 

This was the first time that I sewed something from Ottobre Design. There are mainly two reasons for this. On the one hand, I can't easily find them here in the US, at least at a reasonable price, hence I only have two issues. On the other hand, most of the patterns that can be found in the magazine are designed for knits and I don't usually sew with knits, I guess I am more of a woven person. 

That said, I am very very happy with the pattern that I chose.  

I opted for a knit dress from Issue No. 4/2015. The dress has a very simple design, but the front pin tuck and the side pockets make it really special. 

I used a grey knit for the dress and quilted knit with hearts for the pockets. Both fabrics are from Joann's. 

After finishing the dress, the collar seemed way too simple, so I decided to make a reversible collar, using the quilting knit on one side and some liberty tana lawn cotton on the other side.