April 10, 2012

Links to free Japanese sewing patterns

The other day I spent some time poking around Japanese Sewing Books, the blog of Yifarn, a mom of two girls in Singapore. Like many of us, she adores Japanese sewing books for their distinctive aesthetic. Along with articles on how to use the books and a glossary of common terms, the website offers lots of links to free sewing patterns.

Yup, they're all in Japanese, but it's possible that clever sewists might have enough to go on to make some of the projects. I'm definitely not one of those people, so I'm content just to admire the pictures. The projects above can be found here, here, here, and here. Also useful: quilters can find free patterns in English here.

23 comments:

  1. AmyApril 10, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    Thank you for sharing these! You have become my resource for all things awesome, btw. It sounds a bit hokey, I know, but it's true. :)

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  2. Grandma GApril 10, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    Hmmm... those could be a fun challenge!

    Mum

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  3. CindyApril 10, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    Thanks for sharing! I am obsessed with foreign sewing patterns. I an advance sewist, so if the pictures are well done I can usually follow along. Google Translate is great help too. I have a few links to some Japanese sites on my blog too and found one that looks similar to Pinterest. It's amazing what you can dig up online :) Cindy

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  4. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    There are a number of machine translation tools out there. Google Translate is an easy tool to help turn beautiful Japanese script into mostly discernable English for us not so cleaver sewists!

    Translation of the grey tote title:
    Pocket tote bag of plump
    Was plump with a pocket of tack
    ♪ tote bag is a little larger

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  5. Jessica JonesApril 10, 2012 at 11:38 AM

    I think everyone needs a pocket tote bag of plump. Preferably with a pocket of tack. :)

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  6. UnknownApril 10, 2012 at 11:42 AM

    Thanks!
    I'll try the grey bag.

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  7. Grandma GApril 10, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    Want me to make you one of those, Jess?

    Mum

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  8. AmeliaApril 10, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Hi ,thanks for sharing the link. Really appreciate it. Have a great week ahead.

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  9. NinaApril 10, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    The Nani Iro site has tons of pretty patterns but it looks like you have to draft the pattern pieces yourself from their diagrams... And then follow the instructions in Japanese. Not sure I can cope with all that!

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  10. Audrey - This Little StreetApril 10, 2012 at 1:21 PM

    Thanks for sharing these! Just what I needed :)

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  11. Live a Colorful LifeApril 10, 2012 at 2:04 PM

    I have a fabulous hard-to-find Japanese book about hexagons, called Patchwork Lesson. Interestingly, the titles of each project are in English. Everything else--Japanese.

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  12. Evelisa (NY)April 10, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    I do see they are all in Japanese but there are alot of pictures if your feeling daring and ready for an adventure I think these would be great to try.

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  13. AnonymousApril 10, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    lovely, thanks !

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  14. tereApril 10, 2012 at 3:12 PM

    I love when your mom leaves a comment!! About this, thank God for google translate!

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  15. LimeRiotApril 10, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    I have a hard time following sewing patterns in English so I'm sure I would be at a loss with these books.

    I'm very happy to admire the wonderful photos instead :).

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  16. SuApril 10, 2012 at 5:07 PM

    Lovely patterns!
    Su.
    Trendy Pastel

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  17. rilojaneApril 10, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    Oh, How About Orange, how do I love thee?
    Thank you for yet another bunch of great links.
    Racing off to grab my best plump-worthy fabric...

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  18. themissymomApril 11, 2012 at 7:05 AM

    The Google Chrome auto translate option for these patterns was really funny!
    I like seeing the blogs in other languages, kind of nice to know there are others all around the world that love the same things I love!

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  19. yifarnApril 11, 2012 at 7:55 AM

    Hi Jessica, Thanks for the mentioning my blog on yours! Hope you guys find it useful!
    Oh and yes Google translate is pretty funny :)

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  20. elisabethApril 11, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Thanks for posting these. I love the minimalist/ cute Japanese craft style.

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  21. Marie-ChristineApril 15, 2012 at 3:19 AM

    Oh, this is a great blog, and that list of free patterns is to die for! Nobody should be at all intimidated by these patterns - I don't speak a word of Japanese, but the diagrams are very clear, and all the measurements are in centimeters and in roman numerals.

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  22. tina.tApril 30, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    thanks for your blog. i allways come back and find interesting, creative ideas :)great link.

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  23. K O K h rJuly 4, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    many thanks for sharing <3<3

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