In my desperation to find some cute maternity patterns, I turned to a sewing book in Japanese. Eek! It was risky, but I've seen some beautiful garments created from these sewing patterns. You can see some great examples on this site. With my pattern book, Lovely Maternity Dresses in hand, I read up on how exactly to succeed with these instructions. Two useful websites came up in the search, The Purl Bee's tutorial, and Label-Free's tutorial. If you've used American pattern books before where the pieces are all printed on one page, it's an easy jump to using these patterns. You still trace all your pieces onto tracing paper in your chosen size from the master sheet, except with Japanese patterns, you have to add your seam allowances. This is very important of course to achieve a garment that actually fits. Thank goodness I did read all this before I started, as I have a tendency to jump in first, check later.
There are some very sweet patterns in this book, and the diagrams are fantastic. All you really need are the schematics and measurements, and, if you've sewn before, it's pretty easy to figure out what to do. I almost like it better than regular patterns, as the schematics are all on one page, it's perfect for glancing down quickly in the middle of sewing. I've always hated wrestling those extra-wide, folded pattern instructions.
Some sewing essentials: pins, needles, and peanut M & M's....
And a finished spring maternity top! The fit is wonderful, with plenty of room for a growing belly, and I'm looking forward to making more, next time in a voile. The fabric used here is quilting weight cotton, which is a tad heavy for a flowy shirt like this. The fabric used in the book design looks like a voile or lawn, or perhaps even a knit jersey?:
In any case, though my choice of fabrics could improve, I'm extremely pleased that the pattern fit and works, and all that hard work of tracing the pieces and deciphering (guessing) at the Japanese paid off. Can't wait to make more...
*If you want to see what others are sewing, visit Adirondack Mama's Sewing Bee...
**Special thanks to The Prairie Girl for sending me her copy of Ottobre Magazine with maternity patterns!**
Oh, it's adorable, great job. Those look like some really cute patterns and a cute outfit or several always helped me perk up a bit during pregnancy. Glad you got it, hopefully there will be something in there that you can use.
Posted by: Jennifer | 02/17/2011 at 09:37 AM
What a sweet top! And kudos for tackling the pattern in nihongo.
Posted by: perches | 02/17/2011 at 04:56 PM
Your top is fabulous. I have seen so many of the Japanese craft/sewing book mentioned in the last couple of years, but I have been scared to give them a try. glad it worked out for you. andy maybe even I could do it.
Blessings, Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth | 02/17/2011 at 05:56 PM
Oh your top is perfect! I have a couple of the Japanese crafting books and I am still scared to death. This helped to ease my fear a little. Thank you...
Posted by: Sachi | 02/17/2011 at 08:55 PM
The top came out beautiful and it does look comfy to wear! Kudos to you for plunging ahead and making it! Not sure I would have had the confidence to do so!
Posted by: sandi | 02/17/2011 at 09:49 PM
truly lovely and ambitious! LOVE IT!
Posted by: Ashley | 02/17/2011 at 10:43 PM
Your top looks wonderful - I am very impressed!
Have a lovely weekend xx
Posted by: milkymumma | 02/18/2011 at 03:04 AM