Celebrating Japanese Sewing Week in sulphur
Japanese sewing books…. well, it’s all love from me!
The often quirky Japanese styling, the use of natural fibres and the simplicity of the patterns just makes my heart sing. I prefer a little more colour in my life than the neutral palate celebrated in many Japanese sewing books (hello sulphur linen!), but that’s the great thing about sewing your own clothes… you get to add personal touches that suit your personality and style.
Today, as part of Day Four of the Japanese Sewing Week blog tour, I’m sharing with you the Basic Pattern from Lesson Two from Aoi Koda’s Pattern Lessons for Autumn and Winter Wear.
Pattern Lessons for Autumn and Winter Wear is a recent release that includes five basic patterns (referred to as lessons) and several variations of each basic pattern. For example, the blue coat on the book cover is a variation of the top I sewed.
If you’ve been following the blog tour this week, you will be familiar with the Basic Pattern from Lesson Two as it’s one of the patterns Andreia from In a Manner of Sewing shared on Day One. Andreia made an entire outfit from this book and I wish each of those pieces were in my wardrobe!
Pattern Lessons for Autumn and Winter Wear is only available in Japanese. If you’re like me, and don’t know one iota of Japanese, please don’t be put off as the instructions include a series of very detailed drawings. I’m a visual person, and trust me, all the information you need is right there in those drawings!
Japanese patterns are renown for being generous with their sizing. This book includes six different sizes (size 5 -15) and the body measurement chart is located at the top right hand corner of the first pattern sheet. To help you decide on which size to make, finished garment measurements are detailed in the book at the beginning of each pattern. In this instance, and thanks to this translation guide, the measurements given are bust, sleeve length and length.
After sewing a toile, I made a couple of minor tweaks to the pattern. To accommodate my slightly longish body, I added 2″ (5cm) to the length. As drafted, the neckline is much higher than it appears in photos in the book. I lowered it by 3/8″ (1cm), which just meant I didn’t add the seam allowance to the neckline section of the front, back, sleeve and facing pieces. It’s a simple modification, but it worked well.
For me, the really interesting feature of this top is that there is elastic in the front hem and not the back.
From the finished measurements I knew that the sleeves would be too long for me, but I sewed them as per the pattern. Any excuse for a rolled up sleeve! As it was very hard to match overlocker thread to this vibrant sulphur colour, I french seamed the sleeves to ensure everything looked neat and tidy.
My Japanese sewing book collection is vast and well loved. If you are interested in starting or adding to your collection, or winning a voucher to an online fabric store then we have just the giveaway for you. Three lucky readers will win one of the following prizes:
- One pack of two Japanese sewing books from Tuttle Publishing
- One pack of two Japanese sewing books from Tuttle Publishing
- A $40 fabric voucher from Urban Sew
To enter, head on over to the Rafflecopter giveaway page.
A very big thank you to Sara from Made by Sara for organising this fabulous week. There have already been so many inspiring makes. Go and check them out!
Monday 16th : Day One… In a Manner of Sewing | Conversas de Hermanas | Pequenos e Verdes | Climbing the Willow
Tuesday 17th : Day Two… Bartracks and Singletrack | S is for Sewing | Sew Happy | Mamacosesola
Wednesday 18th : Day Three… Fairies, Bubbles & Co. | Sewing Like Mad | As it Seams | Sewing For Mini Me
Thursday 19th : Day Four… La Folie Sewing Booth | Just Add Fabric | Blogless Anna | Sweeter Than Cupcakes | Needle and Ted
Friday 20th : Day Five… Miss Castelinhos | Made by Toya | Lil Luxe Collection | House of Estrela
Saturday 21st : Day Six… Patty Made It | Paisley Roots | Rita Pirolita | Call Ajaire
Sunday 22nd : Day Seven… So-cal Sewing Mom | Kiwi Crafty Chemist | Sew Shelly Sew | Made by Sara
You too can join in the fun of the 1st Japanese Sewing Week by linking up anything you have made this year using a Japanese sewing pattern. The link-up party is happening at the bottom of this post.
And the last word… I love, love, love this pattern and I see several more in my near future!
Pattern: The Basic Pattern from Lesson Two from Aoi Koda’s Pattern Lessons for Autumn and Winter Wear
Size: 9
Fabric: Merchant and Mills linen in sulphur purchased from Stitch 56
Alterations: Added 2″ (5cm) the length. Lowered the neckline by 3/8″ (1 cm)
Accessories: Designer silk scarf (a gift) & shoes, a recent purchase from Mountfords.
What a fabulous top – I love it!
Thank-you. I predict it’s going to get lots of wear.
I Love the color and the scarf! the Top is really well made!!!
The scarf and the top… well they were just meant to be together.
Fun top, especially the color.
Move over mustard, I’ve found my new favourite shade of yellow (tee hee!)
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to your makes, but this is lovely! The color suits you perfectly.
I love all your comments Sarah Jo. This top would be in my top three makes of the year so far!
Wow this colour is amazing! I don’t own any Japanese sewing books so hope fully I’ll win one of these.
Thanks Sarah. For me, it’s the perfect shade of yellow with subtle green undertones.
Love the new top. Thanks for this giveaway opportunity.
Thanks Jan. Good luck with the giveaway… a girl can never have too many Japanese sewing books!
Ahhh, look at your lovely attention to details…making French seams when you know you want to roll up the sleeves…YES! I’m a sucker for details like that! I totally love that the elastic is only at the front – another cool feature. It’s fits you perfectly. Way to go!
Thanks Mie. The french seaming was totally worth it. I love those details too. I have already made another version of this top and have some liberty set aside for number three. I’d like another in linen too… how many is too many?
Gorgeous top! That color is perfect! <3 Really like the elastic on front and not on back, those details make all the diference. Love it.
Thank-you. The Japanese patterns do those little details really well. I think this pattern has the potential to be a tried ‘n’ true pattern for me.
This is lovely – I hadn’t come across this pattern book – it looks great. Love the colour of the fabric too – it really suits you.
There are lots of things… I’ve looking at you blue coat on the cover… that I want to make from this book. I feel very ‘me’ in this top… the colour, the fabric, the style and I predict there will be more!
Hum!!! You and Andreia are making me buy this book and start sewing for myself. Love the colour. Well done
When Andreia and discovered via some Instagram sneak peaks that we were sewing the same top we realised that we had the same great taste, and you obviously do too. Tee hee!
I’m known for loving grey, followed closely by black and white, but if I ever step foot into the World of Colour, I am heading in the direction of this sulphur yellow. I love it and the top too. If you ever decide you like monochrome and can no longer handle your yellow top, just fling it in my direction please. Meanwhile I’m going to check out that book just incase I have to make the top myself.
If this top ever needs a new home (and I seriously doubt it!) then I will ensure you are first in line when I’m flinging! 🙂
Love this! The yellow is fantastic. I haven’t been brave enough to try Japanese pattern books yet, but I would really like too.
I promise they are not that scary once you get into the swing of things. Maybe start with a Japanese sewing book that has been translated. Ease yourself in!
This is beautiful in its simplicity and the colour is amazing
Thanks Natalie.
Loving the elastic in the front only detail (along with the whole vibe)! Have just started to really enjoy the raglan sleeve as well so happy to see another pattern using it.
I’m definitely on Team Raglan. They are easy to sew and fit. I’m always on the hunt for patterns with raglan sleeves!
What a beautiful top! I love that color and how you styled it. Your scarf matches it really nicely and I like the shape of the top. I confess it’s a pattern I might have skipped over, but now that I have seen yours, I think I will give it a try!!
I have many new items on my ‘to sew’ list after Japanese Sewing Week. That’s the great thing about events like these… we can all be inspired by each other.
Hello Anna, love the fabric and color choice, that top looks beautiful
Thanks Tania. I’m very pleased with my new top.
I love Japanese pattern books and your top is fabulous especially the raglan sleeve, the French seam and the well fitting neckline. A Liberty version would look lovely.
I very partial to a raglan sleeve Anna. They just seem to fit me so well. I’m looking forward to sewing and wearing the liberty version. Teacher presents first!
Suits you – pattern and colour. I’m a little in awe of your finishing!
Move over mustard… sulphur is the new yellow for me!
Sulphur love! It´s wonderful paired with that silk scarf and I love seeing it with jeans! Thank you for the reference! And you know, you already have the book, just make the rest of the outfit, I´m seriously in love with all the coats there! <3
It such as easy top to wear Andreia. I have my eye on those coats too… but summer sewing first!
Gah, I still haven’t tackled Japanese patterns yet. I’m frightened by the translations, the tracing, the diagrams and the sizing. All of your pieces are just gorgeous, so I really must sort myself out with this fear. In 2016 I will make something from a Japanese pattern if you make pants 😘
You can do it Alice… and I will make pants. Well actually, shorts first. They are more appropriate for summer and take up a heck of a lot less fabric!
Anna it looks lovely on you and your finished items always look fab. Looks like I am off to buy another book and copy you again. Thanks for the inspiration xx
Imitation is the highest form of flattery Sheree. I’m so pleased you feel inspired by my makes.
This is Blogless Anna perfection. I love the shape and if it feels half as good as you say it does… well I’m apologising in advance for when I feel you up if we ever meet while you’re wearing it!
Patting is definitely allowed.
I love this!! Comfy and stylish at the same time. That looks like a top I would get a lot of wear out of.
It is going to be really interesting following your blog – I am just starting to dabble in clothes sewing and not sure yet what my style is….would love to see a Japanese pattern sew-a-long one day!
I’m so late to the party, but I love this! The hem finish is so interesting with the elastic front but not back. The colour is sheer perfection. I have been eyeing this book off and now definitely need to purchase it. Hello Xmas!
Brilliant color, just discovered your wonderful blog. Cheers!
Welcome Sara and thanks for the blog love.