Today I made my first dress from the Stylish Dress Book:Wear with Freedom by Yoshiko Tsukiori which is now available in The Haby Goddess online store.
The design is 'Y'. A loose fitting dress with a placket style front panel. This is definitely not a beginners pattern book. You need to trace all pattern pieces & add your seam allowance when cutting. This can be a little over whelming in itself.
The pattern did go together really well though. The most difficult part was the neck line.
Sizing: The book states that sizes have been adapted to western 6-16. Upon measuring myself I found that I was actually outside a size 16!!! I would normally be a 14 top & 12-14 pant. After drowning my sorrows with another Tim Tam, I decided to make up the 16 anyway and it was way too big. I will need to take it in otherwise I will be able to moonlight as a hot air balloon!
I do love the dress style and will make it again. A soft drapey fabric or jersey would work great. The Dress Y pattern did seem to be missing a piece (sleeve) from the pattern sheets but there was a very simple solution so if you are wanting details, email me and I'll be more than happy to explain what to do.
Only 25 more projects from this book to go! Miss 13 has her eye on a couple of the patterns too.
While I had the camera out today, thought it was time to update my about page and share a picture of my noggan.
I bought this book recently too and was disappointed when I opened it up and looked at the sizing. I don't think even their size 16 will fit me, and I'm only a 14 Aus size.
ReplyDeleteI might try to make something anyway and just see how I go!
I would definitely give it a go Cam, the dress is massive. Plus the styles are very loose fitting also.
ReplyDeleteI bought this book recently and can't wait to try some. I love your dress - great fabrics!
ReplyDeleteI just love that you have made one of the dresses and let us know it runs large. I'm the same sizing as you and it's what has put me off buying Japanese books for ladies sizes in the past
ReplyDeleteWhy oh why can't some pattern company's get their sizes right? Half the time you end up in a depression when the pattern says you are three times the size you know you are and then you have to take it in FOUR times smaller! I have learnt to always make a mock-up after several failed dress attempts. Thank you for sharing Jodie, I was interested in this book and it is great to read a review. By the way - you new noggen photo is gorgeous :-)
ReplyDeleteI really want this book but I'm a size 32 in US sizes (yeah you read that right) my question is this with these patterns is it possible to scale up?
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks amazing in the pictures, I wish I had the confidence to try some clothes again, I used to make lots... The sizing is something that scares me... and where to take it in if needed, I do like the floaty roominess of a big... I just made my first ever Tilda angel doll, with clothes, this week so my confidence is growing with patterns... I am going to take a look at that book! Thanks as ever for road testing and inspiring me! X
ReplyDeleteMontana Rose, to up scale these patterns maybe Ok as many don't have darts, pleats etc (there are some). A lot of the dresses just have gathering or are straight and most are of a very loose fitting style. I'd think you would still need some experience in pattern drafting.
ReplyDeleteYour fabric looks gorgeous Jodie - nice to 'see' you in your about page too.
ReplyDeleteI'm addicted to those Japanese pattern books, mainly for poring over and 'planning' rather than actually making much but I have made a few dresses.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the finished product is often ginormous so would recommend a toile or mock-up if you can be bothered. I took 2 inches out of EACH SIDE of one dress (in Liberty Tana lawn mind you, so looks like I'm going to have to make an awful lot of covered buttons and pincushions).
I am size 10-12 Aus and wrongly thought I'd be the largest size. I reckon it would easily fit size 14-16.
A lot of the smocks look better belted and the www.makesomething.ca has done some waist shirring on a few of hers which I copied and that worked very well.
I have heard the English reprint of the book is 'scaled for Westerners' though! I have the Japanese version.
I like your dress. Good colour choice and I think you look lovely in it. I also really appreciate your comments, as I have just borrowed 'I Am Cute Dresses' (another Japanese pattern book) and will be interested to see how it compares. I'm looking forward to looking this one up. Thank you for the review.
ReplyDeleteHi Jodie,
ReplyDeleteI have one Japanese book for adults, but 2 for children. Has anyone made any children's clothing from these books at all? Wondering if the sizing for them is also way off!!!???
Thanks for the hints & yes I also liked your dress & fabric choice.
Pam
Thanks Pam,
ReplyDeleteI haven't made any children's patterns so I'm unable to help but I'll keep an eye out on my travels.
Your dress looks lovely. Penguin now have a link where you'll find the missing pattern piece:
ReplyDeleteI've used lots of Japanese patterns and the loose clothes are always a little large so the updated patterns are no doubt based on the original ones. For those wanting to make up any designs, I'd probably make up a test pattern (the simplest!) in inexpensive fabric and then one would know how much to allow or what size to make for other patterns from the book.
I have just purchased a copy of this book and have really appreciated this discussion. I love the look of the dresses, etc - they look to be such practical pieces for busy working mum, yet can be dressed up in innumerable ways. Taking into account all the comments re sizing, I will choose the simplest looking piece first as a test run!
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks fabulous, very cute with the boots! I bought this book yesterday (gotta love that Kinokuniya!)and I'm really looking forward to making a pretty dress. I'm so grateful to have popped by your blog to see the helpful suggestions regarding sizing. Thanks so much and happy sewing :)
ReplyDeleteBought this book yesterday you are so right the sizes are so big I am a 14 and it looked like you fit 1 1/2 of me in it
ReplyDeleteWith a lot of rejustment it turned out okay a little tight across the back but as long as I don't have to raise my arms it fits ok lol
Thanks so much for the info. I just bought the book and am excited to try them out. Where did you find tracing paper to make the patterns? I am a beginner at sewing, but have my expert Mom to help out.
ReplyDeleteTrace your pattern onto cheap interfacing
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