I finished the dress! The dress pattern is called Leia, and it is another pattern from Tamanegi Kobo, a Japanese pattern shop. The dress is pretty simple, but sewing the curved lines was quite challenging, so I guess this is not really a project for a beginner. Although the instruction is in Japanese, the diagrams are very clear and I learned some new things about sewing the curved yoke. My ultimate tool was fabric glue, as Yoshimi had used for her Leia dress. It was really fun sewing the curves.
Instead of elastic on waist, I sewed several rows of elastic shirrings because they feel softer. I also added a pair of pockets on the side seams. Miho from Tamanegi Kobo is about my size (okay, I’m smaller!), and she kindly shared some sizing tips to me. She always uses size 36 and reduces it by 98%, I did the same thing with this pattern and it fits nicely! I didn’t even have to shorten the skirt. Oh, by the way, I’m 150 cm/5 ft and 40 kg/88 pound.
The fabric is double gauze from nani IRO by Naomi Ito in pocho dots pattern. I really love the irregular shapes of the dots that adds some twist to the otherwise conventional polka dots. The yoke is actually broken white with white dots, it is very nice but hard to capture with a camera. The last picture shows the white dots a bit clearer.
It’s 35°C today, I had to walk for 20 minutes to Sidra’s school and the dress has proofed to be very comfortable. But of course I didn’t wear that shoes!
Pattern is Leia from Tamanegi Kobo.
I would like to ask for some advice regarding the sizing of clothes. you mentioned that you received the advice of reducing size 36 clothes to 98%…
i bought the stylish dress book that you recommended, and the smallest size inside is 7, is that the same as 36? I’m your size, do you always make size 7 from the book? cos the measurements seem a bit big!
you also mentioned that you successfully reduce the size to 98% with your leia dress, how did you do it? cos the pattern sheet is so huge, how did u reduce the size? did you photocopy? then don’t you have to do it many times? just a bit confused><
There is a size chart in every product page of Tamanegi Kobo (for instance: http://tamanegikobo.ocnk.net/product/45), they stated that their 36 is the same as size 7 JPN. I think you should look it up to see which one is your size. Miho (the owner of Tamanegi Kobo) and I had met each other, so she can see that I’m about her size, hence the advice.
I use size 7 from the Stylish Dress Book, it’s more or less my body size. You can see several dresses that I’ve made from the SDB book (http://verypurpleperson.com/tag/stylish-dress-book), they’re all in size 7.
I bought the PDF pattern of Leia dress, not the paper one, so I had no difficulty in reducing the size.
oh wow, just by seeing this dress on you makes me want to learn to sew! I think i better start from now, thanks for inspiring me
Love the dress Novita!
And wearing it with those shoes, you look so stylish!
Cheers,
Maria
OMG, you went to a fashion school..
Was it in indonesia or in japan?
if it’s in japan, do you mind telling me which school?
ちょっと興味ある。^^
Oh, I can’t read nor speak Japanese. I went to ESMOD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esmod) in Indonesia, but they have network too in Osaka, Tokyo and other part of the world
I love, love this dress. It’s so pretty. Good job!
I love it, it is gorgeous. You make me want to buy japanese patterns every time I visit your blog. So pretty!
Hello! I love this dress and all of the other clothing that you have created.
What is the easiest or 1st step one should take, when wanting to learn how to sew?
because most of the clothes in the shop don’t fit me, i always buy clothes that are slightly too big for me, you really made me want to make my own clothes!! how did u start making clothes? did you attend any classes…?
At first, I learned drafting and sewing by myself from Japanese pattern magazines. Lots of trial and error, but it was fun. My first sewing machine was a hand-operated Singer! After I managed to make several clothes, I entered a fashion school to learn more
You look beautiful!!! I love how this dress looks on you, also seems very comfortable and freshy. Very very nice work!
It’s lovely!!
I would love to buy this pattern for myself, but I cant figure out how much it costs.
Thank you! The price is stated in their page, it’s 945 Japanese yen but they’re having 30% sale going on right now. I paid them by Paypal
This is so cute!!! I love polka dots, and it looks wonderful on you. Fantastic job!
Love that dress! I adore the fabrics you chose. I’ve got that pattern and can’t wait to make one for me too.
I’d love to see your version! ^_^
Such lovely dress!
and I never thought that we share exactly the same height & weight 😛
you’re blessed with a propotional body that look as if you’re taller, while me.. well, just small (T_T)
It is called camera trick 😀
Absolutely beautiful. You always use the best fabrics!
This is so cute!
Your hair looks very pretty too ^_^
Thank you Sophia! ^_^
I love it so much! Well done on the curves and I also much prefer shirring over elastic bands. It’s super cute and looks so comfy!
love it! it suits you really well
Love this dress and your use of polka dots. It’s inspiring me to try this sewing pattern too…well once I finish up my huge stack of sewing projects
Oh I hope to see your version of this dress! ^_^
Oh, this dress is lovely, and I think the curved yoke gives it a special touch too. I love the polka dot fabric too, it reminds me of this dress from Pretty Woman (http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2008/07/15/amd_juliaroberts.jpg)
Aww thank you! That’s a nice dress she’s wearing
I totally agree, shirring feels so much softer. I had not seen that your beige fabric had polka dots too! Gorgeous!
Elastic always leaves a mark on the skin afterwards. Ouch >_<
Too bad that the white polkadots can't be seen clearly, it's so pretty!
This looks REALLY nice !!!
OMG, I’m like almost exactly the same size/weight as you! which is quite exciting as I find most shops’ clothes too big for me!!! Looking forward to your next market day, hopefully they’ll have a fitting room 😛
And the elastic shirrings is such a good idea! Love your dress!
And that is why I looove making my own clothings! Store-bought clothes are always too big, too long , or just have weird fitting on my small frame
Those curved lines are very very impressing! And your fabric choice is – as usual – just perfect! That dress looks astonishing on you!
Such a cute dress.
i love it! Makes me want to sew one myself for the summer! Now all i gotta do is find me a similar pattern. hehe… I been inspired by all your work.