Japanese Sewing Books

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted any book reviews. But I HAVE been buying books. And this latest book from ATELIER to nani IRO which was very recently released definitely warrants a book review. I know many of you have been waiting to take a peek inside this one!
Disclaimer : This book was gifted to my by Nekoneko Fabric in exchange for a blog post and review. You can find this book listed in her store plus all the yummy fabrics used in the book as well! 

It’s been 3 years since the last sewing book from ATELIER to nani IRO so I would say it’s about time! This time round, the book’s launch coincides with the 20th anniversary of Naomi Ito Textile nani IRO, and all the projects in the book are based on the new fabrics released this year. The book includes 18 projects ranging from simple clothes for everyday wear, interesting designs that are a special and unique, and it comes with full-scale patterns for 4 sizes – S,M,L and 2L.

You will find pictures of the same pattern made using different substrates, as well as staff recommendations on coordinating different pieces together, to create an all year round wardrobe using nani IRO fabrics. Projects range from easy to advanced difficulties, from simple smocks that beginners can complete in a day, to dresses with elaborate details that you might want to make for special occasions.

I will share with you some of my favorite pieces, and also translate the full list of garments you can make from this book.

A – Cocoon smock
B – Cocoon knit dress
C – Bias tank top
D – Cocoon Short Haori
E – Freedom vest
F – Stand collar tuck dress
G – 2-way shirt
H – 2-way shirt tunic
I- Radio Tuck Dress
J – W wide pants
K – Farmers’ pants
L – Tapered pants
M – Antique skirt
N – Cache-coeur robe short sleeves
O – Cache-coeur robe eight-quarter sleeves
P – Cook dress
Q – Gathered dress sleeveless
R – Gathered dress long sleeves

First up is this very simple Cocoon smock. It reminds me of the famous Cocoon dress from the previous book, but in a shorter version. It is definitely a shape I would pick for everyday wear. Much more so than the dress length, so this goes in my sewing list!

F is a Stand tuck collar dress featuring a stand collar, and lots of interesting tucks for example along the shoulder, waist as well as the back. It is a very interesting shape and I am really quite curious how this would turn out when worn.

P – Had a bit of trouble translating this one. When I keyed it into Google translate, コックドレス is translated as Cock dress… Lol… I knew it can’t be right, so I searched for images instead. So apparently it meant a Cook Dress (Cook’s dress) or rather, a Chef’s dress. Because if you search コック the images returned are all of Cooks/Chefs. Anyway the front panel is inspired by the Chef’s coat, and I really like the look of this one, although I feel the belt looks a little makeshift.

On the right the model is wearing J – W wide tapered pants below the dress.

N – I love the front detail of this Cache-coeur robe short sleeves (Hang on let me search Wikipedia)

A Cache-cœur (French for “hide the heart”) is a top for women, composed of two finished triangular parts, each having a strap. It is closed by overlapping the two segments and tying the straps behind the back or along the side, depending on the length. The triangular shape of the sides makes the garment a type of V-neck.
Source – Wikipedia

Most pics I found for Cache-coeur online are like V-neck wrap tops, so this style is an interesting and also modest play on the wrap style. It is very interesting indeed! On the right picture it shows the robe paired with L – a pair of tapered pants.

On the left we have A – the cocoon top in cotton silk (Love this color!) and the bottom is M – antique skirt in a Rexcell. The draping of both fabrics look great. What a casual but luxurious outfit!

On the right is Q – Gathered sleeveless dress. This reminds me a bit of the Work dress in the previous book. But the design is entirely different. There is a yoke with a gathered bodice, and also front ties that you can choose to leave untied for a more rebellious look.

H is the 2-way shirt tunic. This design comes in shirt length and tunic length. And the 2-way refers to wearing it either front to back or back to front. What a great way to get two looks out of one garment! 😆

There is a section that shows you all the garments made from different substrates, grouped by pattern name. This gives you an idea of how the finished piece will look in different fabrics. I think this is a really really good marketing tactic because it really makes me want to buy more fabric.

2 double sided full size pattern sheets. Do note that Seam allowances are NOT included, so you have to trace out the diagrams and then add them on following the individual pattern instructions.

And here’s the size chart for your reference. On the left column (bottom 4 rows) it says – Height, Bust, Waist, Hip. All units in cm.

There are more projects in the book but I can’t cover them all here, so I will leave you to browse through in the book flip through video below.

Where to buy

I get asked this alot so I will try to list down a few possible sources.

1. From Nekoneko.co – https://www.nekoneko.co/products/atelier-to-nani-iro-2021-sewing-pattern-book
2. cdJapan – Click here to buy now (Affiliate link)
3. Amazon.co.jp 
4. Or your local Kinokuniya (they have different websites for different countries, so you have to search from the one located in yours. If they don’t have it in stock they can order it for you at no extra cost, but you may have to wait.