What have I done?!!
I thought it would be a good idea to move my desk across my studio so that I could pick up the so-called wireless broadband connection better. Well, to move my desk I had to move all the furniture in it's path... and then I had to empty said furniture of its contents... and then I thought it would be a good idea to sort through those contents...and now I have to figure out what to do with all the stuff that is now everywhere, rendering my studio space unworkable!
What a mess!
So I didn't keep up with the February postings because I've left myself no room to sew or photograph. I promise to be running smoothly again by the first of March. Should have set that as the relaunch date in the first place.
However, I have got some pictures of wedding dresses to show you and I will address some of the questions that I've received about sewing your own clothes from Japanese books.
Last Spring, two of my good friends got married to their long term partners and I made them dresses. These are pictures of my friend Amanda and her now-husband, Hugh.
Amanda's dress was made with a red satin and a fuchsia chiffon over-layer. The hem hangs in asymmetrical squares that are embellished with tiny chiffon pom-pom beads. Any of these beads can be fastened up to several points on the seams, creating new shapes with the hem. The neckline and sleeves are in satin alone. She looked very beautiful and happy!
Sewing clothes with Japanese patterns:
Several of you wrote me saying that you used to sew clothing for yourself when you were younger and a more predictable shape. More recent attempts proved discouraging because you are no longer that shape. You must always try on the tissue and fit as you go along. You can expect a better fit in homemade clothes than store bought if you take the time to do this. I will be demonstrating this as I go along.
I also received queries about how difficult it is to follow Japanese instructions. The books that I have and will post about all have very simple shapes and the diagrams couldn't be easier. Again, I think you'll see what I mean when I post about it. I will also mention several books that you could get alongside the Japanese patterns books to lead you through the steps of dressmaking.
Another question that I worried about myself was the size of the patterns. The average Japanese women is much smaller than the average European woman. Will the patterns suit/fit you? I have always had to make a larger size than the largest pattern. I will be walking through the steps to enlarge the pattern and modeling the results. I am 5'5" and weigh lbs. I'll give you all my measurements so you can compare them to your own body shape and judge for yourself how they look. I'm not a young wisp but I think this kind of layered dressing can look good and be very wearable on many body shapes, ages and sizes.
Let me know if you have any more questions. I promise to be back in fully operational post mode by March 1st!
Welcome back Juju. The dress is stunning!
For fitting my friends and I made duplicates of ourselves. A custom bust form is invaluable especially if you are adapting a style designed for the slight and boobless to a figure which is decidedly not... Thought you might find this link interesting.
www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3630/duct-tape-dress-form-1
Looking forward to seeing more of your creations xox
Posted by: fiberchick | February 19, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Glad to hear you're still going ahead with the relaunch.
I've gotten in the habit of just remembering my hip size in cm when I shop for Japanese pattern books. There's always a page at the beginning of the instructions somewhere that has S, M, L, LL or whatever the range is that will have bust, waist, and hip sizes in cm. Of course, being able to read a bit of katakana helps, but it seems like they're always bust, then waist, then hip.
That gives me a good idea if the pattern is anywhere close to my size.
Posted by: Janelle | February 19, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Ohh how I like your site.
I found you on Bibliodyssey. I like the way you use colour.
I also really like how your friends above managed to get that antique look on their photo mattes or was that you? It looks great.
Check out my blog when you have time. Over the next few days I'll be checking out your blogroll.
Good luck and Best wishes.
Hazel in Toronto. Hi.
Posted by: Hazel | February 21, 2009 at 12:02 AM
Hooray for you! that is one beautiful dress. I now have a Japanese book and am sort of slightly in love with it. I also weigh ? lbs (which I suspect may be a lot more than you) and was worried about the fit. So ready to be led through the process, with gratitude!
Posted by: katie | February 21, 2009 at 07:35 PM
Hi,juju! i love what you design at my first sight.they are unique,so that i want to own them.would you tell me how can i buy them.by the way,i am chinese and i live in wuhan in china. long for you answer!
Posted by: alisa | February 23, 2009 at 03:51 AM
What a beautiful, unique dress!
Posted by: snowflakedesignsjewelry | March 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM