An Item a Week #14: A Spring Tweed Dress

I tailored a spring tweed dress with silver lame for myself.

Cherry blossom color for lining! 

An Item a Week #13: A Tweed Jacket for Sparkling Spring

April! Such a flamboyant, lovely month.

I tailored a jacket with beautiful tweed fabric.

What I like most about this fabric is the combination of the colors; vivid green, humble white and beige. 

It is like the soft light that comes through fresh green leaves. 

So I named this jacket as a jacket for spring.

A sneak peek of the lining: pale pink.

Cherry trees are now in full bloom, so I chose this color of cherry blossom. 

I hope my customer will enjoy wearing the feel of spring.

A friend of mine told me the color of fabric is just like the Klimt's painting "Attersee." 

Thank her so much, the piece is one of my very best favorites! Now I know why I love this fabric.

Have a beautiful weekend!

An Item a Week #12: A Canvas Shoulder Bag

I made this canvas shoulder bag as a prototype. A friend of mine is expecting her first baby very soon and asked me to make a diaper bag. After I did some research, it seems it's supposed to be roomy, handsfree and lightweight.

I tried this trial bag last week when I visited Setouchi Triennale 2013. A guidebook, a bottle of mineral water, DSLR, etc... all could be packed in the bag. I was basically happy with the result but also found some points to be adjusted or improved. (I put 3 pockets outside and 1 inside, but I'm going to add 2 more inside pockets.)

Now I finally selected the fabrics for her bag, and it will be finished within next week. Let's see!

An Item a Week #11: A Small Glass for Japanese "Sake"

A friend of mine asked me if I'm interested in glass making. My answer was definitely yes! 

So, we joined in a trial lesson at Toyama Glass Studio (sorry, the website is only in Japanese.) 

It was about an hour lesson with two instructors per person, 

and I enjoyed so much to feel heat in the studio and see the making process.

And, here is my work:

Love the jade green color!

Sparkling silver around the edge.

My glass and a bottle of sake...

This is my friend's work. Beautifully made!

An Item a Week #10: A Linen Dress

I made a linen dress with a tiny collar for this week.

I haven't noticed till now but the shape looks like a penguin...doesn't it?

The sleeves are pretty much like dolman sleeves.

This kind of sleeves are easy to sew,

but I wasn't sure if comfortable or not.

It seems I was worrying for nothing.

The result is...very comfy!

Pockets on the side seams.

I love covered buttons.

- pattern: my own

based on the magazine, ”Tennen Seikatsu” 2013 spring p.81

- material: linen 100%

I find many signals of the start of spring here and there.

Can't wait for the season of cherry blossom.

Have a happy, relaxing weekend.

An Item a Week #9: Cargo Pants

I made a pair of cargo pants for this week.
I purchased this cotton pencil stripe fabric for pants some years ago and could finally finish the project. I skipped the fitting this time, and the result seems to be too roomy. Fitting is "must do" for desired results. I knew it but learned again from this project. Anyway, it's still comfy. I'll enjoy this spring-summer season.

A tucked pocket on the left side.



Pockets on the both side.
Can you see the flower pattern in the pocket?
I wanted to add a feeling of spring, and mint!
Mint is my very favorite color.



pattern: my own
based on the magazine, ”Mrs. Style Book”　2013 spring p.183
material: cotton 100%

Have a wonderful weekend!

An Item a Week #8: a Dog Raincoat

A friend of mine asked me if I can sew a raincoat for her dog.
This is Mr. Daikichi, a handsome corgi.



It was only the second time for me to sew dog outfits (I used to make an apron for him before,) and I still wasn't very sure how to make a pattern, so I made it from his old raincoat with some small adjustments. Well...I think I tried my best, and my friend and I are happy with the result! I hope Mr. Daikichi likes his new raincoat, too.



Have a great, relaxing weekend!

An Item a Week #7: A Shirt for Spring

This week, I made a shirt for the coming spring.
Mint is definitely my favorite color.

A bit of floral fabric adds a sense of nostalgic feeling.




The vintage buttons were a gift from Maiko, my best friend.
(She is an illustrator. Please check some of her works at her website.) Isn't it lovely?? She surely knows my taste. (Thanks!)



My wardrobe is filled with basic colors such as beige, gray, navy, etc... I tend to avoid this kind of pastel colors, but for some reasons I want to wear the color which says "spring!"



The fabric: cotton
The pattern: Emily at BurdaStyle

It has been snowing & raining throughout the week.
I hope it will soon be bright and warm...

Have a great weekend!

An Item a Week #6: Tablier Dress

A Tablier (apron) dress for this week.
The color combination of gray and white is my favorite!







The texture of this cotton-rayon fabric is very soft and smooth. That's one of the most important things when I choose fabrics. Can you see the herringbone pattern? I love it because it gives classical and traditional sense to clothes.



Have you found a feeling of spring yet? I hope I will during this weekend.
Have a splendid weekend!

D.T. Suzuki Museum

I visited the museum of Daisetz Suzuki(1870-1966), a prominent Buddhist philosopher best known as D.T. Suzuki, born in Kanazawa. The main reason was to see the architecture designed by Yoshio Taniguchi, and it was really a nice place just as I expected. Very clear, calm and quiet.

If you're interested in the museum, visit D.T. Suzuki Museum Website (English): http://www.kanazawa-museum.jp/daisetz/english/about.html

It's within 10 minutes walk from 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. I hope you can visit the place and relish the calmness.

Happy Valentine Day!

A hand crocheted kitchen sponge

An Item a Week #5: a Hat

This week, I tailored a hat for my customer.

This hat and the blue wool coat which I made last month are coordinates.

At the customer's request, I attached a detachable rubber band for windy days. (We actually have many windy days in spring here in Kanazawa.) I put tiny thread loops inside, and you can attach the band with small snap buttons on each end.

I put another 5 thread loops under the ribbon belt in order to hold the detached band when not in use. You always carry the band with the hat, and you won't lose it.

This is my first piece in terms of hat making, but I'm pretty happy with the result. I found out I can make a hat with just a small amount of fabric, so it's time to turn my odds and ends into another one or two!

Thanks for reading and have a wonderful weekend!