I'm still here!

Hello there, sorry I've been a bad blogger and haven't taken a single photo of my creations lately! Let's say that I'm stocking on stuff to show for the upcoming Me-Made-June alright^^? Still, to make up for my laisser-aller I've prepared a tutorial to sew a simple tote bag that has become my favourite one -I often have bag fancies, 2 months ago I was very much into the Buttercup design for instance. I'm sure there are already many patterns and how-tos for this kind of bag on the internet but I really like the proportions on this one, it's small enough not to be a bother yet I can pack it with my things and believe me I do! It's also a nice one to use your scraps and if you don't sew a closure on it it's completely reversible :) Let's have a look at the latest one I made:


I used cotton from my striped shirt and floral fabric from a Japanese top I haven't posted about yet. The inside is another remnant of simple white polyester fabric. I put a striped pocket inside, the bag closes with a snap and the bow is a brooch. Here's the tutorial:

Click on it for full size

See you soon, have a nice weekend!

Japanese sewing: a step by step demonstration

Hello friends, I hope you're having a nice weekend! Mine's been quite busy but I managed to save a little time for this post which may be, well, long and picture heavy so proceed with caution^^. So, if you've followed this blog you've noticed my passion for sewing from Japanese magazines or books. I often get asked how this is possible since I can't read Japanese. Well, I've said it before and I'll repeat it here, you really don't need to read this language to be able to make the garments, and I'll prove it with today's project: my New Year's eve party top.

Obviously you must possess a Japanese sewing magazine or book to start with, the one I used here is:


My top is derived from the cover dress, I had already made a version -with the bow this time- out of chambray (click on the tag "Japanese patterns" on the right and you'll find it) and I had liked it a lot so I wanted to sew it again. Once you have chosen your design, unfold the pattern sheet at the end of the book, find the pieces you need (here they are named after the model) and trace them in your size. To chose the correct size use this board in the book:


In the left column you can see "bust", "waist", "hips" and "height" and the corresponding measures in the other columns, from sizes S to LL.
Now go to the page with the instructions to sew your top. There you'll find a diagram with numbers that correspond to the order in which you should sew the garment:


1. Make the front and back pleats:


2. Skipped because I didn't want the front bow.
3. Sew the side seams:


4. Make the sleeves' pleats...:


...and sew the sleeves' side seams:


5. Attach the sleeves to the bodice:


6. Prepare the neck facing and attach it to the top:


You're done! Now you will hem the bottom and the sleeves -I finished the latter with self-made bias to encase an elastic.
There are written instructions at the top of the page but I didn't even look at them, the diagrams are efficient enough :) Of course it's easier if you can recognize a few kanjis to make the difference between the front and the back or the right and wrong sides of the fabric so here's a link to a summary of useful Japanese sewing terms translated.
I hope this will encourage you to try Japanese patterns! See you!