A sleeveless, collarless, buttonless blouse

I’ve been working my way through my Japanese Sewing Book, Drape Drape 2 by Hisako Sato. The thing is, once I make one thing, I immediately want to make another in a different fabric. So working my way through, could take some time.

But it’s Japanese Sewing Week in Sewing Blogging Kingdom, so a splendid opportunity to show off my 2 two-piece gather drape blouses (catchy name).

Once through the painstaking, tedious process of tracing out the pattern, sewing it up doesn’t take too long, so you might as well make another, if you like it.But, if you’re like me, you may have to wait a few days to see if you really like it. Even if something looks good when I first put it on, the true test is how I feel when wearing it. Pattern no 8, 2 two-piece gather drape blouse, is a pain in the butt to wear – if you move. It’s absolutely fine if you’re standing still, that’s the key, don’t move even the tiniest smidge, or it will slips all over the place. I’m continuously fiddling with mine to get it to sit on my shoulders. Most of the time it doesn’t drape at all. It just slips towards the back and the front becomes a flat sheet of fabric. Not so stylish now huh!

But actually I think it’s worth playing with (all day long) because when it does drape how it suppose to, I love it. I don’t often ever wear blouses, these two could quite possibly be the only two I possess. But I was drawn to the drapes, the asymmetrical style and its quirkiness. For me, the Japanese sewing patterns in the Drape Drape books cover all bases. I made this top earlier in the year from the same book and have since made a second one. With it’s simple, clean, elegant photography, the DrapeDrape books are a beauty to behold. I drew inspiration from the book for my photography, serious expression and what to wear with the blouse.

My next make from this book will be the three-piece shirred-leg drape pants (another memorable catchy name) that the model is wearing on the left. The ones I am wearing were a shop bought gift.

Things to note if you are thinking of buying the book or making this blouse

1. If you are a bigger than a UK size 12, forget it. Size 10-12 is considered a L/XL. Enough to make anyone feel they have eaten too many pies.
2. If you are thinking of making this blouse and you hate ironing. Think again. I found myself ironing one side and simultaneously creasing the other, it’s no bed of roses.

If you look closely you can see the thin blue and white stripes in the fabric, which are more noticeable in real life. Bet you thought it was grey, didn’t you? Surprise!!!!Amazingly, this blouse is made from only 2 pattern pieces, hence the name, 2 two-piece gather drape blouse, see what they did there? There is no collar, no sleeves and no buttons, but still slightly confusing to sew.

I had no idea how those shapes were going to fit together and make this crazy cool blouse. It was pattern origami, but hey! I may not be any good at origami, but it doesn’t stop me having a go.  On the white version, believe it or not, the flower print is quite subtle in real life. I think I’d like to try one more in black. Then that’s it, on to the drape pants.

So, what do you think? Would you wear a blouse like this? I can’t wait to see what everyone else has made for Japanese Sewing Week.

Here’s the line up…

In a Manner of Sewing  |  Conversas de Hermanas  |  Pequenos e Verdes  |  Climbing the Willow  | Bartracks and Singletrack  |  S is for Sewing  |  Sew Happy  |  Mamacosesola  | Fairies, Bubbles & Co.  |  Sewing Like Mad  |  As it Seams  |  Sewing For Mini Me  | La Folie Sewing Booth  |  Just Add Fabric  |  Blogless Anna  |  Sweeter Than Cupcakes  |  Needle and Ted  | Miss Castelinhos  |  Made by Toya  |  Lil Luxe Collection  |  House of Estrela  |  Patty Made It  |  Paisley Roots  |  Rita Pirolita  |  Call Ajaire  |  So-cal Sewing Mom  |  Kiwi Crafty Chemist  |  Sew Shelly Sew  |  Made by Sara

Or #japanesesewingweek on Instagram.

Something for you (fingers crossed)

There is a giveaway running along with this tour thanks to Tuttle Publishing and Urban Sew.

Three lucky winners will win one of the following prizes:

• 2 Japanese Sewing books from Tuttle Publishing
• 2 two Japanese Sewing books from Tuttle Publishing
• A $40 fabric voucher from Urban Sew

To enter, just click on a Rafflecopter giveaway, the more entries you validate the more chances you have of winning. The giveaway will be open from 16 – 25 Nov.

 

You can also join Japanese Sewing Week by linking anything you have made this year using a Japanese pattern. Head on over to Made by Sara for more details.