Just What I Need!

Stylish Dress Book. ISBN: 978-4-579-11185-5

Pattern-drafting image via the Purl Bee

Whenever I mention my obsession with Japanese sewing and craft books, the first question I get is "Can you read Japanese?" Well, no, I can't, but that's not really the point. Japanese sewing and craft books have an aesthetic that you just can't find in most American craft books, and I can't get enough of them. Lucky for my wallet I don't live close to a Kinokuniya bookstore (can you guess the first place I went when I visited NYC earlier this summer?). If I did, I would most certainly be in there every weekend spending all my hard-earned money on these lovelies. But I digress.

Back on topic. The second question I get is "Well, have you made anything out of them?" Well, the answer to that is, unfortunately, no. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated by all the criss-crossing lines and characters I don't understand whenever I pull open the patterns. But thanks to this Japanese pattern drafting post from the Purl Bee, all of that might change! I can't wait to try Mari's tips on one of the patterns from this latest addition to my growing Japanese craft library (see first image above).