Those of you who are familiar with Japanese sewing patterns would have heard of the Stylish Dress Book series. There are 3 books in the series, all by Yoshiko Tsukiori, who could possibly be the best Japanese sewing pattern maker. Or at least the most well-known.
Today I’m modelling Dress F from the very first book in the series, Stylish Dress Book 1. I did a video book review, so please take a look at all the gorgeous designs in the YouTube link below. She does mainly smock-style dresses, but they are all so cute!
This tunic dress was a joint effort with my Mum. We visited my parents in Brisbane recently, and whenever we are there, a sewing marathon seems to occur. She had just returned from Indonesia with a bucket-load of batik fabric, so we thought this ethnic-inspired tunic dress might be the perfect match with the colourful batik print.
As I’m still breastfeeding, we lowered the front slit by an extra 10cm (4″) and attached a hook to keep it closed. Happy to report that I have successfully nursed Umi in this dress, so if you’re also a nursing mama, rejoice! As well as the front zipper dress, here’s another type of dress you can wear whilst breastfeeding 🙂
What makes this design really special are the sleeves. The slits in the sleeves are held closed by tying a little bow; how sweet is that? So sweet, that Umi wants to pull at the bow constantly, but hey, I’m sure this is a passing phase for 7 months olds. It does get rather annoying when the bow gets undone, but you can solve this by tying a double knot.
This is the second dress I have made from Stylish Dress Book 1. I sewed this very difficult silk dress a few years ago. It was the fabric choice which made that dress difficult, not the sewing pattern. So far, I’ve been pretty happy with Yoshiko Tsukiori’s patterns. To say that she is the best is a big call, but I certainly think her designs are unique yet easy to sew. I think the Stylish Dress Book series might be one of my favourite Japanese sewing books.
44 comments
Yep, Yoshiko Tsukiori is the best. According to me anyway 😉
Hehe, I think you might be right Kate!
I also second that!
👍
Love it! Where can I get this pattern?
Hi Diane – It’s from the Japanese sewing pattern book, Stylish Dress Book. You can get it on Amazon, just click on any of the links in this blog post 🙂
I have to agree, among the other English version Japanese sewing books with patterns, Yoshiko’s are very easy to follow. The dresses are simple to construct and for someone with some sewing hours under her/his belt, these patterns should be a breeze. I have made 3 different dresses so far from the first book. And F-pattern is so far my favorite 🙂 you can check out my IG wekaha_o to see my sewing chronicles.
Hi Wei! Just followed you on Insta 😀
Your monochrome F dress looks fab!
Love your tunic! I have two books from the series and I yet to make any of the adorable designs. Why say you? I’m terrified of copying the patterns. So many lines! Do you have any suggestions on how to make copying easy. Thank you.
Hi Anna 🙂
You should totally take the leap and make something for these books. To help with copying the pattern lines, I suggest going over your size’s pattern lines with a highlighter pen before tracing. Good luck!
That looks better on you than on the model! Did you find that the pattern needed a lot of revising or were you able to make it as is?
Hi Susan – thanks so much. I didn’t need to revise it at all. The instructions were pretty straight-forward too. Highly recommended!
I love this book – I’m made 2 shirts and one dress from it (B, D and E) and loved them all (well, my daughter did – I made them for her). I’ve also made a lot of clothing from Sew Chic and Simple Modern Clothing. My current obsession, though, is with Pochee magazine – I’ve managed to snag two issues on Etsy or Ebay and love everything I’ve made. The clothing is simple enough that I can follow the diagrams, since I don’t read Japanese. They have the cutest designs!
Hi Mardee!
Ooooh I haven’t tried Pochee mag yet. I’ll have to get my hands on a copy now.
My parents are going to Japan in September I think so I’ll get them to bring some back!
Thanks for the suggestion 😀
Rin
Got the book – now just need to make it. Look’s great on you and I did see it but did not particularly like it. Until now…
Hey Lizé,
So glad you’ve been inspired to make this dress. It’s awesome. Do it!
Rin
Would the book be great for a biggener or do I have to have some experience?
Hi Maria,
I think some garment sewing experience would be handy to make things out of this book.
Maria,
Very late response, but I taught myself how to sew by following along with patterns in this book. I tried to start simple with an a-line sleeveless dress without buttons, zippers, ties or fasteners of any type. I made a catastrophic muslin (adding seam allowances is a thing – whoopsie!) I then sewed a better, though still flawed version in shot cotton. And then sewed two fairly respectable versions on the simple pullover blouse.
Not sure whether you’ve sewn at all before, but I actually found the beautiful diagrams easier to follow than big four patterns. Hope this helps!
[…] Batik Tunic Dress This is that one piece in my handmade wardrobe that’s a real show stopper. The ethnic neckline is something I haven’t tried before, but because I lowered it to accommodate for nursing, it’s been really easy to wear. The real statement of this dress though, are the sleeves. The ties look really cute dangling off your arms; I highly recommend this pattern! More pics of this dress here. […]
I love batik too. That dress looks good on you. I didn’t see that TOMATO building on my visit to Nippori in April this year.
Thanks Rossy 🙂
Oh bummer – If you get on the right street, there’s several Tomato buildings; you can’t miss it!
this looks really cute! this will go on my list of projects to try from this book. 🙂
Thanks Janice 🙂 It’s a great pattern, I highly recommend it.
This dress is so cute!!! I can barely sew from an English pattern. Lol I’m going to check out the book and see how I do.
You can do it! The instructions all come with diagrams, so I think it’s much easier than your typical English sewing pattern 🙂
I made this same shirt as well as another shirt from the book. I thought they were easy to follow and I didn’t need to alter the pattern for either. I made this particular shirt from a very light wool. It came out so beautiful and it was one of my fav shirts. It accidentally made it into the dryer and shrunk. It was a sad day. I still wear it but it’s a little more fitted. Lol
Hi Jenna,
I don’t think I have ever sewed with light wool – it sounds beautiful! That must have been a sad day indeed when the tunic shrunk 🙁 I’m sure it still looks great in the “tailored” look it now has 🙂
Beautiful! I like it much more in that fabric! Couldn t you post a picture of the back of the dress, too? Would be very interesting to see that!
Sure – I’ll see if I can dig up a photo of me wearing it from the back 🙂 It just has a plain, round neck at the back.
How is the sizing? Do the patterns incorporate plus sizes?
Hi LT – No this book doesn’t go to plus sizes, sorry!
What size do these patterns go up to?
Japanese patterns are pretty small. I’m a medium in Japan and US 4. So the largest size is about US 6 or 8.
HI Rin I just discovered your wonderful page!! I have been wondering …I love the Japanese designs but am quite busty!! Do you think I will have to make adjustments – I usually have to with commercial patterns or draft my own. Thanks and happy sewing!
Hi Suzie!
Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I’m so glad you’re loving Japanese patterns.
Unless the design is a loose, tunic style, I would say yes, you would need to make bust adjustments.
I’m also starting my own sewing patterns company with designs based on Japanese style clothes. It’s launching soon and you can get more details here: https://www.hanapatterns.com/
Rin xx
What is the largest size pattern you sell? Also do you have petite sizing?
Hi Rosemarie,
My patterns goes up to a Size US 24. You can see the size chart here: https://www.hanapatterns.com/pages/size-chart
dear RIN nice pattern iwas on search for a like such projekt. i wiill contact you. when i worked
with your project if you like i wll i come again to your spot here. thank you . mine name is jacqueline from switzerland
I have just bought this book and I am about to try to make the E dress!! Thanks for the tip on using a highlighter for the pattern pieces. Do you use trace paper on a window? Hard to confuse lines especially with patterns on the back too!
I usually just use tracing paper just on the dining table!
Please can you let my know how to get your patterns or pattern books.
The book is available on Amazon 🙂
I am wondering if anyone has noticed there is a pattern piece missing from the happy homemade sew chic book. It is L pattern sarouel pants. I cannot find the center panel. Any ideas I have checked all four pattern sheets and no luck. Thank you