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!

An Item a Week #4: A pull-over blouse

This week, I made a cotton flannel pullover blouse for myself.

I usually use my own patterns, but this time, I purchased a pattern at Burdastyle for the first time. It's nice to use commercial patterns once in a while because I can learn some tips for better results. I was planning to sew a basic blouse, so picked up the pattern: Emily.
But then, started wavering again if the fabric would fit in the shape and style...I finally decided to alter the pattern to a pullover blouse with some pleats on the front.

Even the smallest size of the pattern was big for me so that I had to shorten the length of bodice and sleeves. It might have been better if I narrowed the shoulders, too... Well, but I think I'm still happy with the result.

I kind of hesitate to tell this, but the fabric was used to be a sheet. I haven't used it for some years but liked its good texture very much. So, wouldn't it be a waste not to recycle?

Now in the middle of winter and it's been snowing these days in Kanazawa. The glass-walled building with beautiful dim lights is 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa.
I really love this place.

If you're interested in the museum,
visit their Official site (English): http://www.kanazawa21.jp/en/