Thursday, September 23, 2010

Sewing Workshop - Now Jacket

I first made the Sewing Workshop Now top last March. Around the same time I scored some of this Nani Iro fabric. If you aren't familiar with the name, Nani Iro fabrics are designed by Japanese artist Naomi Ito. Her designs are very graphic and very collectible – the fabric and notion equivalent of Beanie Babies (way back when), at least for some folks. I bought several pieces of her fabric from Korea by mail order early this year. The other pieces I purchased are Japanese double gauze - I love Japanese double gauze. This particular piece was advertised as cotton/linen, so I expected it to have a bit of drape, but when it arrived I was surprised how stiff this fabric is - almost like an upholstery fabric. I might venture to guess that the inks used to saturate the fabric added to its stiffness.

Nani Iro cotton/linen

I went ahead and washed/dried the fabric and, other than some stubborn wrinkles, it was fine. I wanted to use a design with minimal seams, so as to disturb the print as little as possible. Of course, this has the disadvantage of requiring a giant dart - not my favorite look, but oh well. I decided to use the Now pattern, but this time to make it so that I could wear it as a light jacket.

I actually made this jacket last spring, but didn't finish it and so I didn't blog it. (Meaning I am a bit vague on some of the details.) For this version, I lengthened the pattern a bit. (I can't remember exactly how much.) I put side slits at the hem. I bought some orange buttons for it but I cannot find them anywhere, so for now, I am wearing it without buttons. :) I finished most of the seams with French seams.

I also mused that it would look nice with curved welt pockets and some lightweight shoulder pads, but never followed up with either. Who knows, I may go back and tweak it more later.

I'm wearing it today because of Self Stitched September and because it's a warm day. In fact, I hemmed it last night, so this is the first time it's been worn.

The cream top is Christine Jonson's v-neck tee, which is a pattern I've made twice but haven't blogged - I still haven't tweaked it to my satisfaction, but it's fine to wear under other things. The pants are my white linen Trios, which have been washed and dried several times and are almost impossible to iron with those 3D pockets, so they are a bit rumpled. :)

From Sewing Workshop Designs

11 comments:

  1. Oooo-love the fabric. And where do you find Japanese double-gauze?

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  2. Oh, dear - now I'm going to spend the rest of the day looking for nani iro fabric online! So much for getting any work done before my vacation... :)

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  3. Amazing fabric and wonderful choice for this pattern.

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  4. I just saw this cool pants pattern and thought of you, Vogue 8588. I was wondering have you made these or are they even your style? If I find the right fabric I definitely want a pair.

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  5. Thanks, ReAnn, Birdmommy, and Jane. :) I bought my fabrics from etsy, but more recently Marcy Tilton has been selling some of the Japanese double gauze, though I think she calls it something else. Yes, I just checked her website and don't see them any more - she must have sold out, but she did have several Nani Iro double gauze fabrics. Anyway, some upscale independent fabric stores carry them sometimes, or you can check ebay/etsy.

    Isaspacey, I do have that pattern. I've mulled it over but haven't gotten motivated to make it yet. Funny thing is, I do have some RTW pants that are very very similar - not sure which came first. :) Wow, in a week or so I can wear RTW again. I don't wear *that* much RTW, but not wearing *any* for a month does feel limiting. :)

    The next pant pattern I plan to make is Vogue 1116. http://voguepatterns.mccall.com/v1116-products-9952.php?page_id=717 I was so inspired by Noile's version that I rushed to Ikea to see if I could score some great fabric in the seconds bin, but all I got was a bruise on my forehead when I didn't see a rod right over the seconds shelves. Check out Noile's here: http://www.noile.net/2010/09/vogue-1116-the-clown-pants/

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  6. That is beautiful fabric. I will have to sit on my hands to stop myself googling japanese double gauze fabric instead of getting ready for work!

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  7. Love that fabric . check www.superbuzzy.com or purlsoho.com.... there are many more online stores and brick and mortar that are carrying nani iro fabrics...

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  8. Oh wow, did that ever turn out cute, Shams. That fabric is amazing. Good call to make a jacket with as few seams as possible, as not to disturb that great print.

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  9. I'm new to this whole world of blogging ... where in the world have I been??? I am so excited that I found your blog because you are where I hope to be soon! I was a fanatical seamstress years ago and unfortunately let "life" and other distractions (jobs, school, family .....) get in the way. Your blog is giving me encouragement that I too can regain that sense of satisfaction derived from sewing....... THANK YOU!! I can't wait to read more!!!

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  10. Wondering what Japanese double gauze is like, and what makes it special???? I'd like to see...

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    1. It's wonderful, Mimi! It's thin, lightweight, very "flow-y". It often has different plaids/checks/solids on either side. It's wonderfully cool in hot weather. I just sold a blanque top made with Japanese double gauze, so if you look at my Ebay sales, you can see pics. I've collected several pieces of it. The best quality (that I have) comes rom Japan, but I have some creditable knock off pieces from China, purchased at JoAnn's red tag tables.

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