There was a time I made all my own clothes. As a teen, I could often be found sewing a hem on a new dress just before going out. Somehow over the years I have sewn less and less only getting out the machine to make the odd garment that couldn’t be found in the shops.
All that promises to change now that I’ve seen Sew Japanese by Mariko Nakamura. Mariko began designing and making clothes for children after she became a mother and her garments are functional, comfortable and most of all child-friendly.
While Sew Japanese is not for the complete novice, the step-by-step instructions are easy to follow. The styles are timeless and can be mixed and matched and layered to create an individual and unique wardrobe for children up to a height on 130 cms (smallest size is 100 cms).
The garments, unsurprisingly, are assembled in two groups spring/summer and autumn/winter and the first half of the book has pages of delightful photographs of the clothes being modelled with brief descriptions and the link to the pages of instructions. The paper patterns are in a pocket in front of the book.
Obviously the great advantage of making clothes is that you use (and reuse) buttons and vintage fabrics and ribbons if you so wish. Plus, with a bit of experience, you can adapt the patterns for the child you are making a garment for. Harriet has already been through the photos and decided which outfits she'd like, so looks like I'll be busy at the sewing machine.
Although there is a section on dressmaking techniques at the end of the book, one addition I think that would make Sew Japanese even more accessible is a glossary of terms used in the text.
Sewing and knitting patterns are now very expensive to buy, so a book, which costs £20 (£16 on Amazon) and contains 20 patterns for boys and girls in four sizes, is a real investment.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Published by Pavilion Books Sew Japanese: 20 Charming Patterns for Children