 |
| photo from japanstyle |
I am cute dress,
Japanese dress patterns,
Japanese pattern books,
pattern drafting,
Simple modern sewing
Inspired by...Japanese Dress Patterns
This post is dedicated to all the crafters who are amazed, like I am, by the ingenuity of the Japanese pattern book! During my first visit to Japan I was pleased to discover Japanese craft books. Even though the books are typically not in English, they are beautifully illustrated and full of inspiring photographs. I am addicted to these books! When I visit a book store, I find myself heading straight to the crafting section and immediately dive into the crafty-goodness. These books are so inspiring that I feel like I am ready to create my own wardrobe and try out for Project Runway (of course, I'll wow the judges!) just as soon as I purchase this book! And attempt to translate the text into English!
So you can understand why I was thrilled to read the post at Sew Daily announcing the release of an English translation of I Am Cute Dresses, a book of 25 dress patterns by Sato Watanabe.
This book is full of beautiful, yet simple to make dress patterns.
Usually Japanese pattern book include all the pattern pieces in the back of the book. This book is different because you actually draft your own pattern so that each garment is custom fitted to your measurements. Each dress pattern is designed to be easy to sew with minimum tailoring required.
If you want like the simple aesthetic of Japanese sewing but are intimidated by the idea of drafting your own patterns, you might prefer Simple Modern Sewing: 8 Basic Patterns to Create 25 Favorite Garments by Shufu-to-Seikatsusha. This book is available for pre-order and should be released on 11/07/2011.
This book uses 8 different pattern pieces that are mixed and matched to create 25 different garments. All of the pieces are including in the back of the book. This book, like I am Cute Dresses, is in English. Since I live in Japan it is pretty much impossible to find an English version of any craft books. I am still working my way through my first book of patterns and I have to admit that I was intimidated by a huge piece of paper that looked something like this...
Have you had any experience with Japanese patterns? How did you "make it work"?
0
So you can understand why I was thrilled to read the post at Sew Daily announcing the release of an English translation of I Am Cute Dresses, a book of 25 dress patterns by Sato Watanabe.
 |
| I am Cute Dresses Cover |
 |
| I am Sassy Sundress |
This book is full of beautiful, yet simple to make dress patterns.
Usually Japanese pattern book include all the pattern pieces in the back of the book. This book is different because you actually draft your own pattern so that each garment is custom fitted to your measurements. Each dress pattern is designed to be easy to sew with minimum tailoring required.
If you want like the simple aesthetic of Japanese sewing but are intimidated by the idea of drafting your own patterns, you might prefer Simple Modern Sewing: 8 Basic Patterns to Create 25 Favorite Garments by Shufu-to-Seikatsusha. This book is available for pre-order and should be released on 11/07/2011.
 |
| Simple Modern Sewing Cover |
 |
| Pattern Image for PurlBee.com |
While searching online for advice, I found this wonderful tutorial at The Purl Bee. Things to keep in mind: You will need to trace your pattern into another piece of paper. Also, these pattern usually do not include a seem allowance, so you will need to add this to your draft. Japanese pattern tend to run small so you may want to make a muslin copy before you cut out the pattern using your best fabric.
Have you had any experience with Japanese patterns? How did you "make it work"?
Destination - Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. When Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Empress Shōken in 1914, the Japanese people wished to pay their respects to the two influential Japanese figures. It was for this reason that Meiji Shrine was constructed and their souls enshrined on November 1, 1920.
The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October, 1958.
Meiji Shrine was brought into the flow of current events with the 2009 visit of United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After arriving in Tokyo on her first foreign trip representing the newly elected President Barack Obama, she made her way to this shrine in advance of meetings with Japan's leaders to show her "respect toward history and the culture of Japan." (Source: Wikipedia)
Meiji shrine is a popular destination for weddings. While we were there I observed three weddings and several other couples posing for photographs. Just like in the United States, April is a popular month for weddings.
In the gardens surrounding the shrine, there is a beautifully maintained traditional tea house. If you are interested in participating in a tea ceremony, this is a wonderful place to learn more about the tea ceremony and the meaning of the ritual.
0
 |
| Photo property of NewinNippon |
The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October, 1958.
Meiji Shrine was brought into the flow of current events with the 2009 visit of United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After arriving in Tokyo on her first foreign trip representing the newly elected President Barack Obama, she made her way to this shrine in advance of meetings with Japan's leaders to show her "respect toward history and the culture of Japan." (Source: Wikipedia)
 |
| Photo property of NewinNippon |
 |
| Photo property of NewinNippon |
Japanese Design - Wabi-Sabi or Imperfect Beauty
What is Wabi Sabi? It is a mind-set that sees beauty in imperfection and in the asymmetry of nature. Wabi-Sabi accepts and celebrates the cycles of life from birth to death. AWabi-Sabi mindset helps us embrace age and the passing of time as natural and not something to be feared or hidden. This idea ties into the concept of the tea ceremony marrying the bitterness of the matcha tea with the sweetness of the tea candy.
Wabi-Sabi is quiet beauty that waits to be observed. To develop a better feel for the concept, consider the meaning of the two words. Wabi is a form of the root word wa which describes harmony, peace, tranquility, and balance. Sabi describes the bloom of time. The bloom of time could be the patina of age that covers a beautiful antique object enhancing rather than destroying its individuality. Furthermore, consider the moment of clarity when you appreciate the shape of a flower petal or the bark of a tree that you have passed many times before without noticing.
Wabi-Sabi celebrates the minimal. There is an art to seeing the world in this manner. Glossy magazine ads with photoshop images of perfect often make one forget that the ideal is simply that - an ideal, not a reality. Having discovered this one key concept has helped me to better appreciate the Japanese aesthetic. When I observe interior spaces I see the concept in the rice paper walls, tatami mats, and the unfinished woods. In dress, I have noticed that many Japanese prefer muted colors such as greys or earth tones. Finally Japanese gardens are also an echo of Wabi-sabi in their carefully constrained asymmetry, you will never see the symmetry such as in a European style garden.
0
Wabi-Sabi is quiet beauty that waits to be observed. To develop a better feel for the concept, consider the meaning of the two words. Wabi is a form of the root word wa which describes harmony, peace, tranquility, and balance. Sabi describes the bloom of time. The bloom of time could be the patina of age that covers a beautiful antique object enhancing rather than destroying its individuality. Furthermore, consider the moment of clarity when you appreciate the shape of a flower petal or the bark of a tree that you have passed many times before without noticing.
Wabi-Sabi celebrates the minimal. There is an art to seeing the world in this manner. Glossy magazine ads with photoshop images of perfect often make one forget that the ideal is simply that - an ideal, not a reality. Having discovered this one key concept has helped me to better appreciate the Japanese aesthetic. When I observe interior spaces I see the concept in the rice paper walls, tatami mats, and the unfinished woods. In dress, I have noticed that many Japanese prefer muted colors such as greys or earth tones. Finally Japanese gardens are also an echo of Wabi-sabi in their carefully constrained asymmetry, you will never see the symmetry such as in a European style garden.
Aomori Nebuta Festival 2011
One of the most exciting events of the summer festival season is the Aomori Nebuta festival.
1
Photo property of NewinNippon
"Recognized as one of Japan’s Three Big Fire Festivals, the Aomori Nebuta Festival is renowned internationally and is designated as a significant intangible folk cultural asset of Japan."
Photo property of NewinNippon
"During the festival, more than twenty large nebutas – large lantern floats decorated with human figures – are wheeled along the parade route in the city of Aomori. Ahead of each float, Nebuta dancers called haneto dance wildly to the hayashi music of the Nebuta Festival,making the summer night festival lively and exciting. The fantastic view of lantern-lit floats and the dancers’ shouts of “rasse rasse” are overwhelming. It certainly is a genuine fire festival of Japan."
Photo property of NewinNippon
"The story goes that the Aomori Nebuta Festival originates in the purification rite of toro-nagashi (the placement of lantern offerings on the water), performed during the Tanabata Festival (the Star Festival of July 7) at many places in Japan. Some documents describe the first Nebuta as a giant lantern 360 cm on each sides that was created in the Muromachi era by the feudal lord Tsugaru Tamenobu to surprise people in Kyoto during the Lantern Festival, an event to welcome the spirits of departed ancestors."
Photo property of NewinNippon
"During the festival, more than twenty large nebutas – large lantern floats decorated with human figures – are wheeled along the parade route in the city of Aomori. Ahead of each float, Nebuta dancers called haneto dance wildly to the hayashi music of the Nebuta Festival,making the summer night festival lively and exciting. The fantastic view of lantern-lit floats and the dancers’ shouts of “rasse rasse” are overwhelming. It certainly is a genuine fire festival of Japan.
Photo property of NewinNippon
"Candles for lighting lanterns were replaced by electricity, and wire is now used instead of bamboo for lantern frames.
Since 1980, when the Aomori Nebuta Festival was designated a significant intangible folk cultural asset of Japan, the event has been recognized around the world as characterizing Japanese festivals.
Nebuta attracted world attention in 2001 when the British Museum in London featured it in a special exhibition."
(Source: Aomori Nebuta Festival website)
Photo property of NewinNippon
The Aomori Nebuta Festival attracts as many as 3 million tourists a year."
Photo property of NewinNippon
Photo property of NewinNippon
Here are some interesting statistics from Apinet, the Aomori tourism website.
Size: A float is placed on a wheeled platform (approx. 2 meters high) with an overall size of 5 meters high, 9 meters wide, 7 meters deep and weighing 4 tons
Number of light bulbs used: 600-800
Time needed to make a float: Approximately 3 months
Haneto (dancers) participating for every one Nebuta float: Approx. 2,000
Click here to visit the official Aomori Nebuta website.
Inspired by...Happy Tape!
Moving to Japan and consequently becoming a stay at home wife has allowed me a lot more free time to devote to crafts and hobbies. One craft item that originated in Japan and has certainly caught on worldwide is washi paper tape or "happy tape" and it is easy to see why! Happy tape is so versatile that there many possible applications for use ranging from stationary to home decor. I've collected a few of my favorite ideas from around the web to share with you.
Card Set by Omiyage
Bunting by Paperclip Design
Vase and matching table runner decor from Brides magazine
Happy Tape as a Wallpaper alternative by Sincol
If you aren't able to find happy tape at your local craft store or prefer to make your own custom version, please visit justsomethingimade for an easy tutorial that will teach you how to make your own happy tape! The very talented Cathe Holden, an accomplished graphic designer, has published a wonderful, easy to follow tutorial.
With Cathe's permission, I am sharing the link to her tutorial. I can't wait to make my custom paper tape! The images below are two variations that Cathe has created using her own technique.
If you search through your craft stash, you probably have everything you need to create your custome happy tape. Enjoy - and be sure to send me a picture of your happy tape. I would love to see your creative results!
0
Card Set by Omiyage
Bunting by Paperclip Design
Vase and matching table runner decor from Brides magazine
Happy Tape as a Wallpaper alternative by Sincol
If you aren't able to find happy tape at your local craft store or prefer to make your own custom version, please visit justsomethingimade for an easy tutorial that will teach you how to make your own happy tape! The very talented Cathe Holden, an accomplished graphic designer, has published a wonderful, easy to follow tutorial.
With Cathe's permission, I am sharing the link to her tutorial. I can't wait to make my custom paper tape! The images below are two variations that Cathe has created using her own technique.
If you search through your craft stash, you probably have everything you need to create your custome happy tape. Enjoy - and be sure to send me a picture of your happy tape. I would love to see your creative results!
Yabusame - Towada City Women's Horseback Archery Festival
Yabusame (流鏑馬) is a type of mounted archery in traditional Japanese archery. An archer on a running horse shoots three special "turnip-headed" arrows successively at three wooden targets. A red parasol is displayed if the rider hits the target with the arrow. Photos property of NewinNippon.
The history of Japanese horseback archery dates back to the 4th century, however, women mounted archers are a modern innovation.
Traditionally, women were barred from performing in yabusame, but in 1963 female archers participated in a yabusame demonstration for the first time. Every spring in Towada, women from around the area demonstrate their marksmanship while balancing on a galloping horse!
A yabusame archer gallops down a 255-meter-long track at high speed. The archer mainly uses the knees to control the horse and uses both hands to draw and shoot the bow.
Yabusame was designed as a way to please and entertain the myriad of gods that watch over Japan, thus encouraging their blessings for the prosperity of the land, the people, and the harvest.
An arrow finds it's mark!
A young archer in training.
This festival usually accurs in April at the beginning of cherry blossom season in Northern Japan.
0
The history of Japanese horseback archery dates back to the 4th century, however, women mounted archers are a modern innovation.
Traditionally, women were barred from performing in yabusame, but in 1963 female archers participated in a yabusame demonstration for the first time. Every spring in Towada, women from around the area demonstrate their marksmanship while balancing on a galloping horse!
A yabusame archer gallops down a 255-meter-long track at high speed. The archer mainly uses the knees to control the horse and uses both hands to draw and shoot the bow.
Yabusame was designed as a way to please and entertain the myriad of gods that watch over Japan, thus encouraging their blessings for the prosperity of the land, the people, and the harvest.
An arrow finds it's mark!
A young archer in training.
This festival usually accurs in April at the beginning of cherry blossom season in Northern Japan.
Food Love...Yakisoba!
One of my favorite japanese dishes is Yakisoba! Yakisoba can incorporate many different types of meat; seafood, pork, beef, or poultry, but always starts with stir fried vegetables, noodles, and usually tonkatsu sauce. This is comfort food and is a stable in constant rotation by the street vendors during the months of summer festivals. Usually, if I want to make Yakisoba, I will purchase a kit from the local grocery store and a bag of pre-cut vegetables. But what can you do if you do not live near a japanese mega-grocery store?
With a few substitutions, you should be able to make yakisoba with items you may already have in you pantry. In place of the traditional noodles, many people substitute a package of dried ramen, cooked the noodles, but toss the spice pack!
Also, if you do not have tonkatsu sauce, "Bull dog" sauce in japan - you can substitue A-1, but add enough brown sugar to make it somewhat sweet. Or you can substitute worchestershire...
I have searched the internet looking for recipes and have found a great one at No Recipes. No Recipes is one of my favorite recipe websites. When you visit this site you will be amazed buy the variety of cooking styles incorporated.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To NewinNippon!
Posts
All Comments