DIY FashionJapanese Sewing Patterns

Cosplay Anime Costumes: Free sewing pattern downloads | コスプレ無料型紙

It’s my first Halloween since moving to the US. It’s not celebrated so much in Australia, so seeing the spooky decorations adorning the houses and shops in San Francisco has been lots of fun.

Halloween has got me thinking about costumes, and I’ve come across some amazing ones online. Especially fun are cosplay costumes, because you get to see your favourite anime or manga characters come to life!

If you also like the anime, Attack on Titan, then you’ll definitely appreciate this very cool (and very real) cosplay by a 63 year old.

 

アメリカに来てから初めてのハロウィン。オーストラリアでは大きなイベントではないので、サンフランシスコの店やお家に飾ってあるデコレーションが楽しいです。

ハロウィンと言えば衣装。ネットで検索すると、とくに見て面白いのが日本のコスプレ衣装です。

アニメ「進撃の巨人」のこのコスプレ、すごくリアルですね。彼は６３歳だそうです。

 

Free Cosplay Anime Costumes Sewing Patterns

I came across this Japanese website, Dr Cos, which offers many cosplay costume sewing patterns. They are all free to download! There are tops, pants, gloves, hats and even cosplay for dogs! Here is a great sewing pattern for a maid costume.

The entire website is in Japanese, but with the help of Google translate, I’m sure you’ll be able to navigate around the website.

 

日本のサイト、でぃあこずでは無料でコスプレ衣装の型紙をダウンロードできます。洋服や小物、わんこ服までそろっています。

 

Happy Halloween!

 

 

DIY FashionJapanese Sewing Patterns

Japanese sewing pattern book review: Happy Homemade Sew Chic Kids

Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids is the English version of “Happy Homemade Vol. 2” by Ruriko Yamada. It contains 20 designs for children aged 3 to 9. If you want to make quick and simple play clothes for your kids, then this book is just the thing!

山田ルリ子さんの「kidsのふだんぎ (happy homemade) 」の英語バージョンをレビューします。

HappyHomemade_SewChic_Kids_BookReview_2

The Designs

The designs in this book are suitable for summer, spring and the beginning of fall. Girls can probably wear all 20 designs, while 8 are suitable for boys. Containing dresses, pants, shorts, tops and one parka, this book can create an entire basic wardrobe! The designs are not fancy or dressed up, making the clothes suitable for daily wear.

HappyHomemade_SewChic_Kids_BookReview_4

All garments look extremely easy and simple to make; you’ll easily finish a piece over a weekend with basic sewing skills. Easy sewing means that the designs are not very exciting, but perhaps it’s an opportunity to experiment with fun fabric! The simple lines and classic shapes makes it easy for you add your personal touch.

HappyHomemade_SewChic_Kids_BookReview_3

The Instructions and Patterns

As you will find in all Japanese sewing pattern books, Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids is full of diagrams. Complicated steps are all illustrated in detail.

In Japan, all measurements are in centimetres, so I was surprised to see measurements in inches are also provided in this book. I think this is a nice touch to cater to the American market.

The instructions page looks like a direct English translation of the original, Japanese version. Also, the real-size sewing patterns need to be traced, seam allowance added and then drafted on to fabric. All these things might be a little confusing if you are unfamiliar with Japanese sewing books. You’ll find all of these steps explained step-by-step with photos in How to Sew Japanese Sewing Patterns.

Thanks to Tuttle Publishing for sending me this book for review!

 

 

Knitting

Easy cardigan sweater knitting pattern: wool and mohair – カーディガン 編み図

I finally finished knitting my very first cardigan sweater! I started at the beginning of the year worked on it periodically. If I had knitted consistently, I think I could have finished it in less than 10 weeks. I’m still quite a slow knitter though, so if you are experienced, I’m sure you’ll finish this project very quickly.

やっと初めての手編みカーディガンが完成しました！一月ごろから編み始めたのですが、もし毎日続けていれば十週間ほどで終わったかもしれません。私はまだ編むのが遅いので経験がある人はもっと早く出来上がるでしょうね。

Cardigan-knitting-pattern-beginners-カーディガン編み図

The Knitting Pattern

I was looking for a knitting pattern similar to the ACNE Lesley cardigan. The cardigan knitting pattern I chose is the Ladies Slip Stitch Cardigan – 8 ply from Bendigo Woollen Mills. The slip stitch knits up extremely fast and creates the vertical lines on the garment. I found the hardest part was not knitting, but sewing all the pieces together at the end!

アクネのカーディガンに似ている編み図が欲しくて、ようやくLadies Slip Stitch Cardigan – 8 ply from Bendigo Woollen Millsを見つけました。スリップステッチが縞模様になります。編むより最後に縫い合わせるのが一番大変でした。

 

The Yarn

This yarn is also from Bendigo Woollen Mills. I picked a wool and mohair blend in 8 ply to imitate the fluffy feel of the ACNE cardigan I liked.

毛糸も同じく Bendigo Woollen Mills の物です。モヘアとウールがモコモコといい感じ、と思いました。

If I can do it, you can too! I am by no means an experienced or remotely skilled knitter. With the help of YouTube and lots and lots of patience, this is a great knitting pattern for those of you who are ready to graduate from knitting scarves.

 

First cardigan I ever knitted! Looks complicated, but it's slip stitch, so the nice striped pattern it creates is actually super easy.

DIY FashionFree Sewing Patterns

Free Pattern: How to make a ruffle lace dress – ワンピース作り方

Ever since I cut my hair short, I’ve started to dress more girly. This is a DIY sewing pattern for the ultimate girly dress, complete with lace, ruffles and big bow!

なぜか髪を短くしたとたんガーリーな服が着たくなりました。ガーリー感たっぷりな自分で作れる型紙を紹介します。

Step 1

Using a tank top as a guide, trace the neckline and armholes to make your sewing pattern. I used my crop tank top sewing pattern, available for download from the free sewing patterns page. Extend the side seams to the length of your desired dress. Also measure a rectangle for your ruffles.

For the back of the dress, cut out the circular opening in the centre.

Cut the dress and two rectangles for ruffles from your lace fabric. Only cut the dress from your lining fabric. You don’t need ruffles for the lining; simply extend the dress to reach the end of the ruffles.

手持ちのタンクトップをうつしてネックラインとアームホールの型紙を作ります。私はこのタンクトップ無料型紙を使いました。脇線をワンピースの長さまで伸ばします。フリル用に長四角の型紙も必要です。

後ろの中心に丸いあき口を切ります。

ワンピースとフリルをレースで切断します。裏地ではフリルはいりません、裾がフリルと一緒になるようにワンピースを伸ばしましょう。

How-to-make-lace-dress-free-sewing-pattern-1

Step 2

Right sides facing, stitch the side and shoulder seams of the lace dress. Do the same for the lining.

レースと裏地の脇線と肩線を別々に縫う。

Step 3

Stitch the side seams of the ruffle rectangles. Gather ruffles and attach to bottom of lace dress. Hem the ruffles and lining.

フリルの脇線を縫ってギャザーを入れる。ワンピースにつける。レースと裏地、両方の裾の始末をする。

Step 4

Insert the lining inside lace dress. The right side of the lining should be facing the wrong side of the lace dress. Fold the back closure inwards and stitch.

裏地をレースワンピースの中に入れる。後ろのあき口を折って縫う。

How-to-make-lace-dress-free-sewing-pattern-2

Step 5

Use bias binding tape to finish the circular back opening (5a), the neckline and armholes (5b).

バイアステープで後ろの丸いあき口(5a)、ネックライン、アームホール (5b)を始末する。

How-to-make-lace-dress-free-sewing-pattern-3

Step 6

Attach ribbon to the wrong side of back opening.

リボンを後ろに縫い付ける。

How-to-make-lace-dress-free-sewing-pattern-4

There’s lots of ways you can wear this white lace dress. It’s such a plain piece so you can belt it, wear it with a detachable collar, or even tuck it into a high waisted skirt! This high waisted skirt is Pattern B from my Japanese sewing pattern guide, “Easy Japanese Sewing Patterns”, available from www.japanesesewingpatterns.com.

着まわしがエンジョイできるワンピースです。シンプルなのでベルトをつけたり、付け衿を合わせたり、スカートに入れてもいいです。このスカートは私の本のパターンBです(www.japanesesewingpatterns.com)。

How-to-wear-white-lace-dress

Free Sewing Pattern: Ruffled white lace dress with bow back.

LifestyleRin's Life

16 Days of Bento Lunch Boxes – 16日間のお弁当

On my last trip to Japan, I was inspired by a daytime cooking show to start making bento box lunches for my husband. I’ve eased myself into it by making lunch twice a week. When I first started, it used to take me over an hour to prepare! With practice, I am now far more efficient and only take up to 45 minutes. It’s still lots of effort (and planning) but I really enjoy it; especially at the end when I get to make the food look pretty! Oh and I have one, very happy husband.

Here are 16 of the many bento lunch boxes I have made this year.

Clockwise, from top left (below):

  • Cod with sweet miso sauce, Purple cabbage coleslaw, Nori egg rolls
  • Tuna and corn rice, Carrot and bean sprout namuru salad, Fish cakes, Mini chicken rissoles
  • Oyako-don (chicken and egg on rice), Pickled carrot and celery salad, Hijiki and soy bean salad
  • Hijiki brown rice, Vegies and kombu stir-fry, Ginger chicken stir-fry, Dried daikon salad
  • Kobe beef stir-fry, Potato salad, Green salad, Edamame beans
  • Chicken karaage (fried chicken), Hijiki and carrots, Egg rolls
  • Natto pasta, Chicken rissoles and mushrooms, Steamed vegetables
  • 3 types of rice balls, Beans and cucumber salad, Ham egg rolls

日本で料理番組を見て、夫のために弁当を作り始めたくなりました。まだ初心者なので週二回だけやっています。最初は一時間以上かかったのが、だんだんと慣れてきたようで今は４５分ほどで出来上がります。かなり大変ですが楽しいです。とくに最後の盛り付けが！夫も幸せそうですし。

今年の弁当１６個の写真見つけました。

時計回り、左上から：

  • 味噌焼き魚、赤キャベツコールスロー、のり卵焼き
  • ツナコーン炊き込みご飯、ナムル、さつま揚げ、つくね
  • 親子丼、人参とセロリの酢の物、ひじきと大豆サラダ
  • ひじき玄米炊き込みご飯、塩昆布の野菜炒め、鳥肉の生姜焼き、切り干し大根サラダ
  • 神戸牛、ポテトサラダ、グリーンサラダ、枝豆
  • 鳥の唐揚げ、ひじき煮物、卵焼き
  • 納豆パスタ、つくねとマッシュルーム、蒸し野菜
  • おむすび３種類、きゅうりとグリーンビーンズサラダ、ハム卵焼き

japanese-bento-lunch-boxes-2

Clockwise, from top left (below):

  • Tofu steaks, Daikon salad, Mini sausages
  • Three-colour rice, Tofu chilli salad, Cheese-stuffed fish cake
  • Beef sukiyaki, Boiled egg, Spinach salad
  • Gyoza, Green salad, Broccoli and mushroom stir-fry
  • Beef steak, Mashed potato salad, Cucumber and ume salad
  • Dry beef curry, Apple and cucumber yoghurt salad, Steamed vegetables
  • Mini rissoles, soybean salad, Egg rolls
  • Salmon rice (with Hubby’s name in Japanese), Pickled cucumber, Coleslaw, Egg rolls

時計回り、左上から：

  • 豆腐ステーキ、切り干し大根サラダ、ウィンナー
  • 三色ご飯、ピリ辛豆腐サラダ、チーズちくわ
  • すき焼き、ゆで卵、ほうれん草のおひたし
  • 餃子、サラダ、ブロッコリーの炒め物
  • 牛ステーキ、ポテトサラダ、梅きゅう
  • ドライカレー、リンゴとキュウリのヨーグルトサラダ、蒸し野菜
  • ミニハンバーグ、大豆サラダ、卵焼き
  • 鮭ごはん（夫の名前付き）、きゅうりの漬け物、コールスロー、卵焼き

japanese-bento-lunch-boxes

I rely a lot on the Japanese cooking community, Cookpad for recipe inspiration. Apparently, they are bringing out an English version too!

レシピはよくクックパッドからインスピレーションをもらっています。英語バージョンももうすぐでるようです。

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