February 25, 2010

My Creative Space - Japanese Sewing Pattern



Well, it seems I like a challenge :-) My cousin Gret sent me this lovely children's Japanese sewing pattern for my birthday in Jan. The instructions are completely in Japanese!!!!! eeeeeek! Fortunately I prefer pictures to follow anyway... however a few English words like 'back' and 'front' would have been handy! Hmmmm...

Fortunately there are many great sewers out there that have conquered before me and left helpful advice on their blogs. The only one I really used was The Purl Bee, she included the symbol for back and front and it was a life-saver! Gret has a post on her blog sighting a few more helpful links for Japanese crafting.



All in all it turned out pretty well but a little boxy for my liking. I haven't decided if I will take it in or not. Anya loves the little pocket and wanted one on both sides. I originally made it for our family photo shoot last weekend, but ended up putting Anya in something else. I think this pattern would be lovely in a really light, flowy gauze/cotton fabric.

For more creative spaces visit Kirsty's place.

16 comments:

Kirsty said...

I think a lot of stuff is too boxy for me. You're right though, it would be lovely in a floaty fabric...that always eliminates the boxy(ness).

MooBear Designs said...

Oh that is sweet!! I can see the boxiness but it doesn't look that boxy on!! The pocket is perfect. Little girls need pockets!! xo Steph

Sabahnur said...

hi from Istanbul:)
i baught that kind of japanese book too, but couldnt sew anything. and sold it :)) you are very creative..

Anonymous said...

Looks great! A little boxy, I agree... but that's OK. And yes, Kirsty's right. A floaty fabric and all "boxyness" will disappear. And did you know that I specialised in Japanese in my first degree and that I worked as a Japanese/English interpreter for a while? Just in case you ever get stuck....

Beck said...

Very pretty!Well done with translating your pattern, it turned out beautifully x

midge said...

i love it and don't mind the square shape especially if worn with cute leggings or 3/4 pants. thanks for the link to purl bee re symbols. i have several japanese books and would love to try the patterns. your photos are so gorgeous, it must be hard to pick a fave. i would have them all if it were my family

Christina Lowry said...

It looks great to me. The fabric is sweet too. I love those Japanese sewing books. :)

Michelle said...

The little pocket is a lovely touch. I agree that a floaty fabric would be gorgeous.

gret said...

Hmmm. Boxy but it's still beautiful. Welcome to Japanese sewing. SO much of the sewing I've done turns out like that from these patterns. I think it's just the way they're designed to be. I definitely took my things in (apart from the wee dresses that were straight up and down). Glad she enjoys the pockets. xx

Rosalind said...

Thanks everyone :-)

Unknown said...

love the fabric. boxiness isn't too bad on children- it's adults that need to avoid that shape! haha. great work! xo m.

Kylie said...

Oh I love it! What a gorgeous pattern. Your top really looks fabulous :) K

Olivia said...

I love the Japanese Craft Books! I have one with summer dress patterns but haven't attempted to make anything yet. The photos are so gorgeous that it's almost enough just to look them :)

yardage girl said...

Well done for putting this together - it looks lovely, but floaty fabric would look fab too. Nic

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Boxy is fine, just team it with a belt. Accessories my love!! See you Sunday, love Posie

Jenifir said...

Looks lovely to me! I think Meagan@ecoMILF is right that boxy works on kids. I love the print but have yet to try any patterns in Japanese (but have Dutch children's pattern magazines from the 80's/early 90's which I also cannot read).