Japanese Sewing Book & a Sew-along

Oh, how I loved the Japanese sewing book. The instruction is so clear with the picture. Since the last time I blogged about it, I went to town and bought some more! 

More books on woman and girls. I couldn't resist the pretty photography and lovely dresses.

Do you like the dress that I sew from one of the Japanese sewing book?

How do you like sew along with me using a pattern from the Japanese pattern book?

Sounds good?

This one is Feminine Wardrobe (フェミニンワードローブ) by Jinko Matsumoto (松本 仁子)

There are so many pretty outfits in there and I'm not sure which one should I start first? I have a wedding lunch next Sunday and I hope I can wear one of these dress to the lunch.  Beside the sweet Ribbon Bow dress on the book cover, I'm also considering the 2 below.  What do you think?

riboon ties one piece

2 tone slip dress

If you are keen to try it with me, you can buy the book (at Kinokuniya if there's one near your place or at Amazon). Do let me know which pattern you are interested to try. I'll start sewing on Wednesday so will announce the sewing design on Tuesday.


I'll be doing some simple translation from Japanese to English for those of you who had trouble with the language. But if you have the book, you will know it's quite simple to just look at the picture and follow.  The translation will be over at the new page at my tab.

My Favourite Pattern books

Last Saturday I pop by Kinokuniya at Orchard thinking of geting some sewing pattern books.

Guess what? I found so many that I wanted to buy but had to limit to only 3 as it is quite expensive. Let me show you what I've got.

This one is on girls clothes. The book concept is about grading adult clothing to kids size from 100 - 140.  I loved ALL the patterns in this book. Not only are the photos pretty, they gave the actual size paper patterns for all the skirts, blouses, dresses, hat, bags and shorts.  I think for the 29 patterns, the price of $33.40 is well worth it. See for yourself if you aren't tempted to buy.



love the concept of having a separate wrap skirt over the dress




I can see my girl in this one!




They have instruction for Adult size too!





Ahhh...Stylish jacket and pants.


The 2nd book that I bought is also a girl sewing book by the same publisher under 'Heart Warming Life Series'. They are all from the same author Yuki Araki. This one focus on Autumn and Winter clothings.  Love the jackets and top.



I love this jacket design




A dress-jacket




All 24 pattern pieces!!


The last one that I bought was a sewing book for Lady - Me! It's by Sasahara Noriko.  The clothes are very sweet and pretty. I love the simplicity and clean cut of her design.  It's $31.  Here's a glimpse of what's my favourite.



I can't wait to try these 2




Interesting shoulder and pleat details




Yes, full pattern pieces enclosed!


Although the book is in Japanese, the drawings instructions are quite clear. Maybe because I've studied Japanese so basic japanese, especially Katagana, is not too difficult for me. If any of you are interested to buy, you can e-mail me on the Japanese terms and I'll be happy to help. But if you are a more seasoned sewer, it should not be a problem.

If you are staying in Singapore, I urged you to drop by Kinokuniya Japanese section and browse their many many selection of sewing books. The good thing about this store is you can asked to open up the plastic wrap and browse through the copy before you decide to buy. No question asked! I love their service standard and how well stocked their books are. 

The other store that you can find some Taiwanese and chinese translated Japanse sewing magazine is Popular bookstores. They have many branches all over Singapore. I usually buy Bag making books from there. If you are concerned about the Japanese langugage, the books at Popular are in Mandarin-translated from Japanese. The other regular magazine I got from Popular is Cotton Friends. But you can also find wider selection in Kinokuniya. Oh, they also have Chinese books section that store these series of magazine too.

I've already traced out the dress pattern and hopefully will be able to sew it this coming week!  If any of you have bought the book or intend to buy the book, we can try to do sew-along together??

Bibs for Babies

I did it! Was trying to find time to do some sewing the past few days but really too busy with work and the children. Finished 2 bibs last night! Was immensely proud of them. 1 is for my best friend's baby boy and the other for my little baby.

I've sewed the first initial of their names on the bib to make it special and unique. This will not be a tutorial as I've done it fairly quickly and didn't take much photographs till I finish. But if you want to try it at home, you can just take a bib that you have and trace the outline on 2 pieces of fabric (front cartoon fabric, middle fabric and nylon fabric). I've use the nylon material for the backing as I want it to be water proof else the bib will get wet with the baby's drool and soil the clothes.

The first one for my friend's baby is blue with car motifs and blue trimming. This one takes longer time as I made the bias tape myself since I couldn't find the same colour. I used the special sewing stitches to make the pattern around the trimming. Nice?

My baby's bib is more plain as I've used the left over stash (see the resemblance of the once pillowcase?!!) and cut 2 fabric for the middle piece and backing.

Anyway, I've just finished a fantastic book that really inspired me to pursue my dream and passion. It's called "Live what you love". I'm attracted by what this say on this back cover "Have you ever dreamed of turning life upside down and inside out, and really living as your heart would have you? Do you push your dreams out to 'someday' conditioned by 'if only'? Are you stuck between the life you have and a life you would really love?" 

Wow! powerful. I felt that way sometimes. So I'm trying to live my life daily with passion. To do things that I love. I can't change everything overnight. But I know I can change little things in small way myself. Like taking up sewing and be creative in creating something that I love for my beloved family and friends. It brings great satisfaction to see their eyes lit up when I gave them the things I've sewn. Somedays when I've more time and made enough of my pieces, I'll be able to sell them and live my dream to 'live what I love'!

oops. can't seem to turn it upright. nvrmind, you can still read the title right?