What handmade means to me
Creating clothes is like drawing pictures.
For me, it starts with a design in my head. Then I start looking for fabric that will bring the design to life. Fabric’s interesting stuff—some of it “lives” for the first time when it is made into clothes.
When it comes to patterned fabric, it’s not the pattern itself so much as the overall balance when viewed from afar that is the deal breaker. For plain fabric, I look for the feeling I get from it, but the subtle differences in color are also important. Fabric is like paint.
Just like trying to find the right balance of color on a canvas, I try out various fabrics before hitting upon the right shade. Once the clothing design and the fabric are right for one another, the picture in my head is complete. Then I can take to the sewing machine and turn the image in my mind into something real.
This is why I’m so stubborn about handmade things. Once the image is set in my mind, it doesn’t matter what anyone says—if I can’t create what’s in my head I’m not satisfied. When the clothing is made and someone is wearing it, the picture is finally and truly complete.
I want you, too, to draw pictures the way you want—if I can help you even a little with that, I’ll be delighted.
Yuki Araki
Contents
a Camisole (in brown shades)
b A-line Skirt (in grape)
c Double-layered Skirt (in brown shades)
d Square-neck Smocks (in brown shades)
e U-neck Blouse (in white)
f A-line Skirt (in floral pattern)
g Stand-collar Shirt (with elbow-length sleeves)
h Pants with Turned-up Hems (in unbleached cloth) 10, 16/54
i Sleeveless Dress (in pale pink)
j Leggings in Knit Fabric (below-knee length, in small floral print)
k U-neck Tunic (in dark brown)
l Long-sleeve Coat in Knit Fabric (in beige)
m Camisole Dress (in green shades)
n Leggings in Knit Fabric (ankle length, in dark brown)
o Shirt Dress (in brown check)
p Two Little Bags
q Neat Blouse (in white)
r Double-layered Skirt (in black)
s Short-sleeve Blouse with Round Collar (in dot pattern)
t Square-neck Dress (in pale blue check)
u Camisole (in floral pattern)
v Reversible Hat
Clothes for Moms
d Square-neck Smocks (in brown shades)
k U-neck Tunic (in dark brown)
Lesson 1 Creating a Strip Placket
Lesson 2 Attaching a Stand Collar
Index by Item Category
How to Make It
How to Download the Bonus Material of this Book.
1. You must have an internet connection.
2. Click the link below or copy paste the URL to your web browser.
http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/ct-sew-sweet-handmade-clothes-for-girls-downloadable-cd-content
For support email us at [email protected].
A question of design
My designs are a little bit sweet, and they’re sized to fit just right. There are already a lot of patterns for simple clothes, and a lot for over-sized clothes. That’s why, instead of aiming for something that’s easy to alter or for simple shapes, I design with the end result in mind.
I’m sure many of you are thinking that these clothes look fiddly or difficult to make, but once you start sewing they’re actually easy. Seeing as I personally am not into fiddly, tricky things, I’ve tried to create clothes that are as easy as possible and don’t look obviously hand-made.
a
Camisole
Broad bias tape around the chest plus pin tucks accent this top. The bias tape is made from a different fabric from the body of the top to add color, so you can have fun creating different looks by changing the fabric.
how to make it p 38
b
A-line Skirt
This light and airy A-line skirt is made from grape colored double gauze. The subtle volume is achieved by creating three tucks below the yoke.
how to make it p 52
c
Double-layered Skirt
This skirt is made from a simple rectangle of fabric. The trick is to use lightweight material. The shirring on one side doubles the skirt’s sweet appeal.
how to make it p 42
d
Mother-daughter Matching Square-neck Smocks
Using contrasting fabric for the neckline decoration adds accent
