Finally...Something for ME

I finally stopped analyzing (which is very hard for me to do) and started sewing from my Japanese pattern books, resulting in this springy tunic. I do not particularly enjoy sewing from patterns (at least the ones I have bought in the U.S.), and the smallest sizes offered are typically too big for me anyway, requiring a lot of work to size the pattern. The simple techniques and visual explanations in the Japanese books are more my style, and a Japanese size "S" is about a size 0 or 2 in U.S. sizing. Perfect. (And, if the largest size were not big enough for someone, the designs are fairly simple and seem easy to re-size...) The books themselves are beautiful, as you can see in the photos below, and I found the instructions very easy to follow (after a couple of months of research on the subject :).

The postings on this topic at The Purl Bee and Moving Hands were very helpful when getting started. I so wish there were an English analog to the Canadian (French) site Japan Couture Addicts, where readers post finished projects from Japanese pattern books and share tips. The site does have a link to this guide (in English) to using these pattern books, including a translation chart that I referred to often. I also came across this list of terms that relates primarily to crafts and stuffies.

The pattern for this tunic was from the book "One Day Winter Sewing", bought from this Etsy seller and shipped from Japan, along with "Mom and Girl Handmade Winter Clothes". Most of the pieces are shown layered over other pieces, like long-sleeved knits, which I guess is what makes them "winter"; depending on the fabric used, seems they could be for just about any season.

I have since purchased several more books, including "More Straight Stitch Dresses" (below) from Superbuzzy and have my eye one a few projects I'd like to get started on. One thing to note about this book: When I received it, I realized that it does not have full-sized pull-out patterns, as my other books did, meaning they will have to be drafted. I REALLY want to find some metric dotted marking paper before I attempt that but have only found this in UK online stores, thus far. Another good source for bargains on Japanese patterns is this Etsy seller, who ships used books (with intact patterns) from Japan. (Browse at your own risk, as these are highly addictive for their style and photographs alone.)

Enjoy these shots from my current favorite book: