Having had success with Shimazaki Ryuichiro's men's coat pattern book, I figured I'd give his shirt book a try. I know only one person who's sewn something from it -- Claudine, who made a very lovely sheer seersucker camp-style shirt last year.
Like the coat pattern book, this one offers multiple variations (nineteen in all) on a few basic patterns. The artfully staged photos are very inspirational. I can't speak for the patterns themselves since I haven't tried them yet, but other than being on the small size (a Medium corresponds to roughly a 36" Chest), it seems pretty straightforward if you've sewn men's shirts before.
Since all the instructions are in Japanese, it would be helpful to have some shirtmaking experience under your belt -- or a working knowledge of Japanese of course. The diagrams are very clear, which helps a lot.
Pretty nice, huh? Just like the men's coat pattern book, you have to trace the necessary pattern pieces and add the seam allowance. I don't mind that.
Speaking of Japanese patterns, I got started on my Miyake coat today. I did narrow the back a bit, by precisely 4" at the bottom hem (8" total). This is the original piece:
Here's the alteration I made, which actually saved me from having to buy more leopard print fabric.
The back still has plenty of flare -- trust me. It's a VERY oversized coat.
And that's it! I'm done sewing for the day but look forward to moving forward with the Miyake project -- I think it's really going to be something special and different from anything I've made before. (After that, perhaps a Japanese shirt.)
In closing, have you -- or someone you know -- ever tried the Japanese men's shirt pattern book? How was it?
Have a great day, everybody!
There are a lot of nice shirts in that book. Modern and 'hip' and probably more in one place than all of the pattern companies combined. I hope that they work well for you.Has your class at FIT started yet?
ReplyDeleteIt starts a week from tomorrow!
DeleteI read about this Japanese sewers companion book on Tilly and the Buttons ...http://www.japanesesewingpatterns.com/ebook/
ReplyDeleteMight be useful.
Endless men's dress shirts sounds like my idea of hell, but I'll eagerly watch you make them!
ReplyDeleteJapanese books are great -- the photos are very clear and even though I don't understand Japanese, I've never had any difficulty using a Japanese book for sewing or any other handwork. Nope, haven't made a shirt though, sorry! I'll be eagerly awaiting your posts about your progress. :)
ReplyDeleteI've never used a Japanese men's shirt pattern book but I have made myself three men's button shirts using the patterns I've made. Sewing/pattern-making shirts is not terribly difficult if they're simple.
ReplyDeleteHere's another website that might be helpful:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.japanesesewingbooks.com/japanese-sewing-terminology-a-list-of-translated-terms/
and she reviews your shirt book as well.
Check Yoshimi's blog, she sewed from it for her better half.
ReplyDeletehttp://yoshimitheflyingsquirrel.blogspot.jp/search/label/sewing_for_him
I own the book myself and the plan is to sew a linen shirt for my husband, ail keep you posted!
I have made 2 shirts from this book and highly recommend it. The styles are very slim fitting especially the ones with back darts. One of my shirts blogged here
ReplyDeletehttp://chloe.justinhall.us/merry-christmas-my-hubby/
The other one is with one piece collar and turn up cuffs.
I learned a lot from the instructions too. If you need help with any Japanese translation let me know :-)
I forgot your entire blog entry when I saw the pics of that poor, humiliated dog... LOL!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you posted this. new to sewing and my goal is to start making my own shirts. I am very much inspired!
ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic post Peter. I've sent his book down at the fashion bookstore downtown and it looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYou'll love this book. I've made 4 or 5 shirts, from it, including my TBA current project. It's the first place I look when I want to make a shirt.
ReplyDeleteSome of you should post pictures of your shirts. I would never sew a shirt mainly because I couldn't but would love to see the results.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I want to make shirts for my father and brother, and as cool as those patterns look, I don't really know anyone slim fit or on the small side. I am looking forward to seeing how it works for you though.
ReplyDeleteGreat book. I bought the French version ! Much easier to translate XD Unfortunately the other books from Shimazaki are only in Japanese (coats and parka)
ReplyDelete