sew japanese in january – THE COMPULSIVE SEAMSTRESS

Well that went quickly, didn’t it? I suppose it helps when I’m not posting regularly, and last year was a bit “messy” with everything going on! I really am still sewing, albeit not as much, but I am not finding it easy, or fun, to take photos. However – as it is January, it’s as good a place as any to try to start again and post again. I do miss reading blogs, my reader isn’t anywhere near as full as it used to be.

So, being January, it’s time for Sew japanese in January, Jungle January and a whole host of other sewing challenges to kick start your Sewjo after the Christmas crush. Sew Japanese in January is hosted by Blogless Anna on Instagram, and it’s a great way to use Japanese patterns and or fabrics. The fabric I chose is viscose, soft and drapy, off white with a pale blue print that almost resembles layers of palm leaves over each other.

After last year’s over shopping and under sewing achievements, I have decided to shop from my collection of patterns and fabrics as much as possible this year. I got the fabric last year from Stitch Fabrics at the Sewing show at the NEC. I’m not banning myself from buying anything, because I know my level of willpower! But I really need to get the levels of fabric in the sewing cupboard under control.

I have to confess that I’ve been a bit lazy with my contribution for Sew Japanese this year, I’m not making anything outrageous or using a new pattern. I simply reached for my favourite blouse from Asuka Hamada’s book, Sweet Clothes, and whipped up a beautiful top with big sleeves that I know I will love to wear all year long! Tick for using an existing pattern and fabric from the cupboard!

I’ve made no adjustments to the pattern since last January when I made this gorgeous blue windowpane version. The insides are all pretty with French seams throughout and the viscose behaved itself while I applied the self bias to the neck edge. Initially I thought I’d be wearing this with a contrasting, dark pair of trousers/jeans, but I popped it on with the off-white corduroy Betty Pants I made last January and I really like the pale look!

Further plans for a Japanese January are afoot. I had a length of vintage Japanese cotton fabric given to me in ’22, and I’d love to make a yukata with it. I bought a Folkwear Kimono pattern from Higgs and Higgs last summer, but I’m also intrigued by Emilia’s posts on Kimono making. The printed pattern is not the same as the layout they describe, so I’m on the fence a bit. I only have one bolt of the fabric and I need to do it justice and make it correctly! I guess you’ll have to come back and watch this space to see what I actually do – if anything….

Why do I wait until the last few days in the month to get all my photos and writing done? Making is the easy part, writing a little less so, but photos in January… These are taken on my phone and the qualty of the light wasn’t terribly good. But, needs must! Along with the trouser sewing and the making of the jacket that featured in a Work in Progress post weeks ago, I cut and made another version of Top E from Asuka Hamada’s book, Sweet Clothes. Other versions can be found on the blog by searching “Asuka Hamada”, and there’s a review on the book hidden away somewhere too. I still intend to make at least one other pattern from this book, but I love the sleeves on this one so much!

So yes, it’s a pretty simple top, I’ve added a FBA and altered the neckline slightly, but otherwise it’s the straight size 2. As mentioned before, I haven’t added any more ease, being comofrtable with it as drafted, although someone smaller than me would have a considerably looser top.

The fabric chosen is from Croft Mill Fabrics, part of a large bundle I bought back in July last year. It’s viscose crepe, but very lightweight, and it moves on the draft made by a buterfly’s wing… I cut it to pattern match around the body but didn’t worry about matching the sleeves into the armhole. French seams keep everything on the inside nice a tidy and fray-proof. This fabric does like to fray! Perhaps if you’re a fan of spray starch for viscose, this is the fabric on which to use it!

I altered the neck binding slightly, the instructions have you encase the 5mm seam allowance and turn it in, I find this narrow strip of binding tends to fray, not fold iin properly, and generally need intervention later on. I folded a wider bias strip in half, sewed it onto the neckline and turned the whole thing inside, topstitching on the outside to hold it down and enclose the raw edges. It hasn’t made any more bulk or weight to the neckline, so I’m much happier with the finish.

I think I’ll always return to this pattern for a quick satisfying, big sleeve sew. And for wearability – might be a little too thin for winter wear without something underneath, but it will be worn in the summer!!!

Tag: sew japanese in january

So it’s January Again

Sew Japanese in January 2023