Japanese Sewing Inspired Dress

Japanese sewing books are super popular and provide great inspiration for going global. They appeal to me for a lot of different reasons, but mostly it's the idea of homemade clothes in simple shapes, usually in simple fabrics like cotton or linen. The whole style is clean from the accessories and make-up to the photography. For example:

I tried to replicate that style with this look. My dress/tunic is made from a linen/cotton blend bought at Joann’s last summer. I started with a basic bodice with darts and a wooden button and loop closure at the back- keeping it simple. It is lined in a tan cotton meant to blend in with my skin. I added a very full gathered skirt with side seam pockets and finished with a machine stitched blind hem. And that's it. Simple. Clean. Homemade.

Truth be told, this was originally going to be for my 16 year old daughter. I showed her pictures of young girls wearing loose dresses layered with jeans and cardigans and she thought it was cute. But when it was all said and done, she didn't feel comfortable in it. She likes her clothes very fitted. Grrrr. If you know me, you know I rarely buy fabric and I can’t bear to see it go to waste. So I tried it on and guess what – I love it!

I feel like an artist in this tunic. It’s too short for me at my size and age to wear as a dress, but paired with jeans, I think it’s fabulous. The darts are also a little high for me (big diff in 16 year old boobs and 45 year old boobs!) so I will have to wear my very best bra. It’s like the children’s song that goes “Do your ears hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? Can you tie them in a knot? Can you tie them in a bow?” But we’re not talking about ears. Lol.

I plan on wearing this all day today running errands but also to our school and church art show tonight.  Two of my kids have pieces in the show, so this will be my piece even if I am the only one who knows it. I prefer it that way. I feel awkward telling people I made something if they ask where I got it. I just realized how hypocritical that is of me. My son’s art work will be displayed if he likes it or not because he is a student there. With my encouragement, my daughter willing took her favorite charcoal drawing in to be displayed in the parish exhibit. I should set a better example and be proud of my sewing. I’ll have to keep working on that.