Book Review: How to Sew Japanese Sewing Patterns

As far as I'm concerned, the only problem with Japanese sewing books is that they're in Japanese.  And unless you have a Japanese friend (who sews) to interpret them for you, they become just a book of pretty pictures.  Luckily Rin Gomura-Elkan has a solution to this dilemma, her new E-Book How To Sew Japanese Sewing Patterns. This book was created to help you tackle all those Japanese sewing patterns you've been coveting.  If Rin's name sounds familiar to you, it's because she's also the author of the blog Sew In Love. 

In How to Sew Japanese Sewing Patterns the chapters include: Japanese Sewing Patterns Overview, Sizing, Sewing Equipment, The Sewing Process, Patterns to Try, More Resources and Appendix.  Through out the chapters, you will find conversion tables for Japanese translations.  She also shares practical tips that will help you read patterns quicker.  For example, one thing she reccomends is memmorizing "right side" and "wrong side" in kanji (Japanese characters). One thing I like about the book is the format.  All chapters are broken down in chrological order of the sewing process and the chapters themselves are very straight forward making the book easy to navigate.

Along with the book, Rin has created two unique sewing patterns that can be purchased with the book as a set.   The first pattern is this high waist skirt with ribbon. 

The second pattern is a dress with a pleated neckline.  Both patterns come in sizes small, medium, large, and extra large.  The patterns also come with full tutorials in English.

If you're interested in learning more about the book How to Sew Japanese Sewing Patterns, please visit the official site, click here.

Rin is offering a special discount to Zakka Life readers.

Receive 10% off with the code  ZAKKASEWING913 

code expires 9/13/2013

I have not been compensated in anyway for this review.  I do not receive commissions for any books purchased.

Japanese Craft Book: Motif Pattern of Origami

Motif Pattern of Origami ISBN978-4-569-70773-0

If you read my last post, then you know I was in Japantown last weekend. And if you know me, you know a visit to Japantown isn't complete without a trip to the Kinokuniya bookstore.  That's where I picked up this gorgeous origami book, Motif Pattern of Origami.  The book is filled with flat modular origami projects.  Modular origami is where you use multiple pieces of paper to make a more complex structure.  Below are a few pictures from the book.

 

Here are some of the directions to the finished piece above this picture.  If you're familiar with origami, the projects in this book are doable even if you can't read Japanese. 

Kirigami Craft Book Giveaway

I haven't had a giveaway for a while so I thought I would host one to ring in the new year.  I actually have two things up for grabs, the Kirigami book pictured above and a pair of tabi socks.  I purchased both the items at Daiso, my favorite store.

Pictured above are some of the kirigami projects from the book.  It comes with templates printed on the paper so you know exactly where to cut. 

And here are the tabi socks.  I liked that they had kokeshi dolls on them.  Tabi socks are designed to be worn with sandals; that's why the toes look a little funny.  I actually bought a pair for myself too.

On to the Giveaway. . .one  lucky reader will win Kirigami-Chic Japanese Patterns and a pair of tabi socks. To enter, please share if you've ever seen tabi socks before or if you wear them. One entry per household. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. The last day to enter the contest is Sunday, January 6  2013. I'll announce the winner Monday, January 7 2013 on this post. If I do not hear back from the winner after two weeks, I will choose a new winner. Open to everyone.  International friends welcome :)

Contest Closed

Congratulations to Melissa who is the winner of the tabi socks and book!

As always, thank to everyone who participated.  I loved reading all your comments!

Giveaway: Food Origami Book

I purchased this origami food book at Daiso a while back thinking it would be fun for a giveaway.  I liked that it was a little different from the traditional origami books I normally see.  The book features both American and Japanese food with directions in English.

On to the Giveaway. . .one  lucky reader will win Origami of Delicious Food. To enter, please share a food you would like to see as origami. One entry per household. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you win. The last day to enter the contest is Sunday, June 24 2011. I'll announce the winner Monday, June 25 2012 on this post. If I do not hear back from the winner after two weeks, I will choose a new winner. Open to everyone.

Contest now closed.

Congratulations to Sarah who said she would like to see a meatloaf origami with all the trimmings!

Thank you to everyone who entered, I enjoyed reading all you creative origami food ideas.

 

Japanse Craft Book: How To Make Pom Poms

 How To Make Pom Poms ISBN 978-4-7661-2282-4

My husband tells me he's tired of going to Japan Town but I think that's code for, "I'm tired of you buying Japanese craft books". Last weekend at the Kinokuniya bookstore, I stumbled upon the most charming Japanese Craft Book, "How To Make Pom Poms".  All the projects were so fun and pretty, I couldn't let it go to waste sitting on the store's bookshelf.  No, this book had to come home with me and live happily with all the other Japanese craft books I've acquired.   

Here are a few of my favorite projects from the book.

Amazing right?  My mind is racing with ideas for these apple pom poms.

Who can resist a babushka?

Pretty accessories. 

Your eyes do not deceive you, that's a hamburger pom pom.

In case you're wondering, I haven't made any of the projects in the book yet.  I've been occupied with work projects, end of school activities, baseball... and the list goes on.  You might have noticed that posts have been sparse the past couple months and that's why.  I'm hopeful the summer will bring more time to relax and craft.

Japanese Craft Book: Embroidery Emblem

Over the weekend I purchased this Japanese craft book, Embroidery Emblem by Atsumi. I was fond of the idea that these mini embroidered pins looked like they could have been passed down from generation to generation. I especially liked the emblems that resembled military medals and family crests. Before I even got the book home, I was already imagining how the pins would look on my cardigans.

Below are a few images from the book and a embroidered pin I made.

Above are the emblems I plan on making for my sweaters.

Here are some of the projects in the book. All of them come with embroidery patterns.

Above is a picture of a pin I made from the book (my first one). And I was wondering, what do you think it's supposed to be? It's obvious to me what the image is because I have the pattern but I'm not sure if it will be obvious to everyone else. If you could leave a comment with your guess, I would appreciate it. I'll update what the image is in a couple days.

*UPDATE - I'm so glad most of you said a high collar blouse because that's exactly what it is. Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment :)

Japanese Craft Book for Making Tassels

ISBN978-4-07-269890-7

A while back I mentioned I purchased this craft book in Japantown but realized I never showed you the inside of it. Sorry about that. So, today I thought I would share a few favorite projects from the book. I hope you will find them as inspiring as I do.

Tassels made from embroidery thread and wooden beads.

These little acorns would be great for decorating a table. I could also see them attached to some twine to make a cute set of Thanksgiving napkin rings.

I can envision an entire tree covered in these fur tassels. By the way, have you noticed how popular fur is this year? I was in Restoration Hardware the other day and the store was covered in fur everything. They even had faux fur bean bag chairs!

Want to make a bow look extra special? Why not add a tassel to it. This would be just stunning on a gift wrapped in silver.

The book includes ideas for using the tassels on socks, as garland, and even jewelry. If time wasn't an issue, I would make a bunch of tassels and hang them everywhere. Just for fun.

Japantown, San Francisco

Over the weekend I visited one of my favorite places in San Francisco, Japantown. It's less touristy than Chinatown and offers some unique dining and shopping options. Here's how I spent the day there.

On my to-do list was to check out Yakini Q, a Korean BBQ restaurant/cafe. I actually wasn't there for the food but for the drinks. I heard a lot about their sweet potato lattes and had to try one. We got one iced with soy milk and one traditionally made hot with milk. Both were delicious but I think I liked the hot latte best. It was like drinking a warm sweet potato pie. . . .mmm.

My second stop was at the Kinokuniya bookstore. I managed to leave the store with just one Japanese craft book. The book is all about making tassels with embroidery thread and wooden beads.

I stopped at Ichiban Kan, it's kind of like a Japanese dollar store and very similar to Daiso. I picked up these cute pencils for some favors for a birthday party. I love that they have dangling heart charms and bows attached to them (so girly).

I also picked up a little something for a giveaway. I'm hoping to have that post up later this week so stay tuned.

Piccolo: Japanese Kid Craft Magazine

ISBN# 4910076390614

I recently discovered one of the cutest Japanese magazines, Piccolo. Piccolo is a magazine filled with crafts, games, stories, and decoration ideas for kids (mainly preschool age). The entire magazine is in Japanese but because it is picture heavy, the crafts are easy to figure out. Although, there were a few things I wasn't sure about so a friend translated them for me.

Below are some pictures from the magazine. I wish I could share all the pages with you, it's that cute! I think this is going to be my new obsession. I already want a subscription. . . hmm, wondering if there's an economically friendly way to do that. This magazine cost me $18 alone, which is a little pricey.

In this issue of Piccolo, a lot of the magazine is focused on crafts for the Japanese festival, Tanabata. Tanabata is held on July 7th to celebrate the meeting of the deities Orihime & Hikoboshi. Apparently only one day out of the year (July 7th) they are allowed to meet. I'm told the celebration consists of decorations hanging from bamboo. In the picture above there are hanging decorations you can make for the festival. The magazine has all the templates for the images. It even comes with a CD for patterns.

These are crafts projects that represent the star prince and princess (Orihime & Hikoboshi).


Another craft I think? I forgot to have this translated so I'm not sure why they're filled with liquid. I don't know if it's for drinking or decoration. But you've got to admit, these have to be one of the cutest uses of plastic bottles.

A craft/ hide and seek game.

One More Japanese Craft Book

ISBN978-4-415-30506-6

Here's the other Japanese craft book that I shared about in an earlier post. The craft book is all about creating cards. What appealed to me most was that many of the cards were made out of scraps from magazines, food packages, airline tickets, etc. It has inspired me to start collecting paper scraps that would normally be tossed into the recycling bin. I hope you will find some of the images as inspiring as I do. Below are a few pictures of my favorite cards from the book.

Japanese Craft Books = A Happy Birthday

"Card Wrapping Stationery" ISBN978-4-05-404387-9

This past week I celebrated my birthday with a trip to the Kinokuniya bookstore. I ended up finding this Japanese masking tape craft book at the store (picture above). I also picked up a stationery book and some mt tape which I'll share about later. In the mean time, here are a few pictures from the book, Card Wrapping Stationery.

Some cards made with tape. Check out those cute envelopes that the pigeon is holding. You might need to click on the picture for a better view.

Bucket decorated with tape pencils.

Decorated boxes

Umbrella handles wrapped with tape.

Kanzashi In Bloom Giveaway & Review

Kanzashi in Bloom by Diane Gilleland

I was recently sent a review copy of Kanzashi in Bloom for the blog book tour and was excited to be included. I've known Diane Gilleland (author of Kanzashi Bloom) for at least two years now from her site Crafty Pod. As I've mentioned before here, I always enjoy craft books from blogs I read. You know what to expect and you have a little background about the author before you even pick up the book. I have always been impressed with Diane's creativity and attention to detail when it comes to her craft tutorials. So of course, I expected nothing less from her new book.

Kanzashi in Bloom is based on the traditional Japanese art form, kanzashi. Kanzashi are traditionally hair ornaments made from squares of fabric folded much like origami. In the book you will find a more thorough explanation of kanzashi and it's origins. The chapters include, Origins of the art form, Materials and Core Techniques, Projects to wear, and Projects to give. In the book Diane shows six different designs for the petals alone. There are 20 unique projects to create with the kanzashi such as hair accessories, earrings, Christmas ornaments, and more. What I personally enjoy about the projects is that they are contemporary and applicable for today's use. Below are a couple examples from the book.

Stretch & Bloom Headband

I tested out the petals in the flower above and was able to duplicate them with ease from the instructions.

Super Star Tote

This was one of my personal favorite projects due to the beach theme and sandy colors. Along with showing you how to make the kanzashi star fish, Diane has a detailed tutorial on how to make the handbag.

* Contest Closed *

Please leave in the comments your thoughts about kanzashi and if you have ever heard of it before at the bottom of this post no later than Wednesday, August 5th, 2009. One entry per person. Please leave a way for me to get back to you if you win(enter your email address in the comment form). The email address is only used to notify the winner, I do not save the addresses. I'll choose one winner at random and post their name Thursday. Good Luck!

US and Canada Residents only