Make Your Own Japanese Clothes: Patterns and Ideas for Modern Wear

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable reference for those making kimono or wanting info
Review: Okay, so the line illustrations are a little funky, you're not using this book to learn figure drawing; you're using it to learn how kimono and other Japanese clothing is made. And for that, it's unsurpassed! The fabric layouts are crystal-clear, and the instructions take even the timid novice through step-by-step procedures for getting everything just right, from linings to special sleeve finishes, things you'll never find on a kimono pattern. How do you get those sleeve corners to hang right? This book tells you. Want to know the correct hand-stitching techniques for the different parts of the garment? You'll find it here. I also recommend it to friends who are taking apart vintage kimono for laundering (as the Japanese did), because it tells you all the steps and the proper order for re-assembly. It even tells you how to fold the garments when you're done. For reference purposes, it starts with one of the best quick overviews of historical Japanese clothing I've seen, including those in the more historically-oriented books! Anyone who is costuming and needs historical accuracy should refer to this section. And so you can wear these garments, it also gives simple instructions for such necessities as tying an obi and tying back your sleeves to do work. I might want more instructions for different obi tyings, but that's not the focus of the book, just a bonus. As befits a book that refers to its subject as "clothing," rather than "costumes," it assumes you will actually be wearing these garments, and treats the subject accordingly. And, just so you can see what you might be able to create, the book includes a section of photos of lucious finished garments, from kicky happi-coats to a wonderful uchikake (over-robe) made from two obi!

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable reference for those making kimono or wanting info
Review: Okay, so the line illustrations are a little funky, you're not using this book to learn figure drawing; you're using it to learn how kimono and other Japanese clothing is made. And for that, it's unsurpassed! The fabric layouts are crystal-clear, and the instructions take even the timid novice through step-by-step procedures for getting everything just right, from linings to special sleeve finishes, things you'll never find on a kimono pattern. How do you get those sleeve corners to hang right? This book tells you. Want to know the correct hand-stitching techniques for the different parts of the garment? You'll find it here. I also recommend it to friends who are taking apart vintage kimono for laundering (as the Japanese did), because it tells you all the steps and the proper order for re-assembly. It even tells you how to fold the garments when you're done. For reference purposes, it starts with one of the best quick overviews of historical Japanese clothing I've seen, including those in the more historically-oriented books! Anyone who is costuming and needs historical accuracy should refer to this section. And so you can wear these garments, it also gives simple instructions for such necessities as tying an obi and tying back your sleeves to do work. I might want more instructions for different obi tyings, but that's not the focus of the book, just a bonus. As befits a book that refers to its subject as "clothing," rather than "costumes," it assumes you will actually be wearing these garments, and treats the subject accordingly. And, just so you can see what you might be able to create, the book includes a section of photos of lucious finished garments, from kicky happi-coats to a wonderful uchikake (over-robe) made from two obi!

Rating:
Summary: Ideal for Contemporary Art-to-Wear Designs
Review: The majority of this book focuses on traditional Japanese clothing design in a format unavailable in any other English language book. (So thorough, in fact, it is being translated into Japanese for distribution in Japan!) In addition, the very last page of each chapter offers ideas for modern adaptations to a Western life style -- an ideal supplement for those interested in contemporary art-to-wear ideas.