Well, my birthday was a long time ago now (August 31). I was working like crazy at the time (and in fact had to travel for work on my actual birthday) but I made time for a birthday dress!
You may recall that I had a lust for avocado jersey when I went to NYC in June. I didn't find any, but Elizabeth (eword10), with whom we met up for shopping, had my back and when she found some avocado silk jersey for $5.99/yd she snapped it up for me! I was so excited.
When I went to Japan, of course I had to check out the sewing books and absolutely fell in love with Drape Drape. It has a lot of cool very Japanese designs that are conceptual and intellectual more than they are sexy, for the most part. Drape Drape Dress #5 is an exception with its very low cut front and back. The text is entirely in Japanese (although the numerals are Arabic, thank goodness). I am guessing this is intended to be made in a woven, judging by the zipper, but I thought it would look fab in a knit.
Unlike Stylebook, Drape Drape comes with a full set of patterns, each in four sizes. I traced a Small, which has a bust of about 30.5 inches; the waist is 23 inches and the hip is 33 inches--sizes I haven't been since approximately middle school--but because it is an empire line with a ton of ease at the waist/hip it didn't matter. If you think Patrones pattern sheets are confusing though, ugh, wait until you see this. All the designs on a pattern sheet are printed in the same color. This is frustrating because the design sheets are printed in green on one side and black on the other, so it's not that they saved money by printing only in one color! It took me a good hour just to find all of my lines, which I marked in purple pencil so that I could find them with the tissue paper over it. Intellectual, drapey designs take up a *lot* of fabric. I couldn't quite fit the skirt piece onto my yardage so I had to narrow it a few inches from the way it was drafted, and shorten it a few inches as well. Luckily, the design didn't suffer.
It was very interesting to sew. Although the directions are in Japanese, it was easy to figure out which piece was which and there are a few diagrams to help you put them together. Some of the less intuitive pieces in the book are beyond me, because I can't even figure out which pieces go where, but this one was easy.
I have been loving the look of the side skirt drape for some time, as in the Cynthia Steffe Paige Dress, DKNYC Cascading Ruffles Dress, and DVF Epana Dress I posted about back in June, and was so excited to find out how it's done. I cut it out, marked the pleats, sewed the pleats and was still entirely mystified until I was like, "Wait a minute, are they blowing my mind? Yes, they are. There is no side seam, the seams are in the front and the back." That doesn't sound so mind blowing written down but seriously, it blew my mind. Having made it, I love the draping even more; I am going to have to figure out how to make a skirt out of this pattern.
I feel like I should have more to say, but really, it went together pretty easily and I loooooove it. I felt so sexy and sophisticated on my birthday in this dress.
This is another of the looks that Cidell photographed for me, so there are a ton of great photos! The pattern review is here.
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Unfortunately, the only source I have found for this book is amazon.co.jp. I just impulsively ordered a hat book from amazon.jp, so I can offer my experience.
First, go to the website and look way up in the right hand corner. There is a little "In English" link. You can find the book by searching "Drape Drape." The book itself is very reasonable--around $18 USD. Shipping is an eye-popping $35, however. It comes FedEx. I have not yet received my book, and won't for several days because I assumed they would send through the post office and had the book sent to my house. Alas, I cannot receive FedEx at my house so I had to contact amazon.jp (they offer customer service in English) and ask them to change the delivery address and heaven knows if I will ever actually receive the book. But had I not gone through this rigamarole I think it would have arrived very quickly. So you get good service for your $35, but it's a little painful (and I wish I'd done the research to order a couple more books to make the shipping worth it).
**EDIT TO ADD** Thank you to all the commenters who had helpful suggestions for finding this book!
It appears to be available on Yes Asia for $29.49 with free shipping.
Marie-Christine recommends this eBay store for Japanese books.
Megan recommends eBay and Etsy seller pomadour24 for Japanese books.
You look smashing in this dress, like you should be on the cover of a magazine!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love this dress! The drape is gorgeous and the color is perfect for you! Did i say that i love this dress?!
ReplyDeleteThis dress is Stunning. Perfect color for you too.
ReplyDeleteKathy
This looks amazing on you and I love the color!
ReplyDeleteLovely dress!! It looks amazing on you!
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat dress is absolutely stunning, and how interesting that it has no side seams! You look fab in it.
ReplyDeleteWow! You are one hot Mama in that dress! Great job!!!
ReplyDeleteWow. Just wow. And I'd kill for some of that fabric.
ReplyDeleteBut there's another excellent source for Japanese books: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Simply-Pretty-Japanese-Beads-Books__W0QQ_armrsZ1 very good previews, free shipping worldwide, and it arrives lickity-split.
That color is gorgeous on you! What a beautiful dress, and the fit is fab!
ReplyDeleteI bought a few of the Japanese sewing books not too long ago, but since they are cut so tiny, they were going to be for my daughter. They seem to be a bit confusing, but I really want to tackle one of them some day.
Trena, este vestido es "espectacular" y te queda divino, de veras. Me encanta ese color.
ReplyDeleteThe dress, and you, look absulutely stunning! I hope you wore it somewhere spectacular!
ReplyDeleteWith your styling you look like a 1930s movie star. Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWow! Please wrap and package the dress carefully and ship to my home. LOL. Fantastic job.
ReplyDeleteAngela
Happy Belated Birthday. You look amazing! quite the sexy number!
ReplyDeleteGreat dress! I have been stalking Drape Drape, and have found a copy at yesasia.com (free shipping over $50) and pomadour24 sells this and other Japanese pattern books on etsy and ebay. I look forward to seeing more of your draped creations. Thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteThat dress is FABULOUS! I am inspired and plan to check out the japanese pattern books ASAP. I very much doubt I will look as good as you do in that dress. Hope you have many occasions to walk it out.
ReplyDeleteThat dress is beyond amazing!!
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of designs from the early 1910 and 20's. Also the designers, Vionnet, Madame Gres, Poiret, and Mainbocher. It is so super flattering on you too. I now want one too!
That dress is simply to die for!!!! You look awesome in it and it really complements your red hair. I have never heard of Drape Drape. I will definitely check it out.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dress, looks brilliant on you.
ReplyDeleteGreen is definitely your color.
That is a great birthday dress and you look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThat is fabulous, like a Grecian goddess look. Try to go with that style for you, maybe even adding sleeves. Very much in proportion for you.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I want Drape Drape just for this dress. Stunning! And what a great color on you
ReplyDeleteStunning! You look like a Grecian Goddess.
ReplyDeleteI second what Megan said re: buying on YesAsia.com.
ReplyDeleteLook here:
http://www.yesasia.com/us/dress-up-dress-down-simple-chic-with-paper-pattern/1003445494-0-0-0-en/info.html
I bought the book I'm using right now, Simple Chic by Machiko Kayaki and since I had splurged last Nov on several title, the shipping to the US was free. Fast, Safe and Efficient, so far.
And that dress is a Real Birthday Dress. I have that tradition too!
Sorry about that. Meant this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yesasia.com/us/drape-drape/1020515716-0-0-0-en/info.html
And about the FIS:
http://www.yesasia.com/us/customer-support/0-0-0-hti.1576-en/question-answer.html
In fact, I see that the FIS qualification is only $39 which means that two or three sewing books and you are there!!!
That is a WOW dress!!! Stunning!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday a bit late and you look amazing in your dress.
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday! The dress is stunning! I love it.
ReplyDeleteI think "hubba hubba" is the phrase I am looking for.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty spectacular! I hope that you went to a suitable venue to do this dress justice!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous dress! It's stunning and a great color/shape on you.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I can also recommend "pomadour24" at Etsy as a Japanese pattern book source. I just wish I weren't so un-Japanese in height and shape; the redrafting required to achieve anything close to a fit for me is even more headache inducing than tracing from those pattern sheets.
OMG! That dress is BEYOND fabulous!! It's downright stunning and I think it's great in a knit! Wow, just WOW!
ReplyDeleteWow, so sexy! This dress almost makes me want to sew knits again. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous dress!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I love this dress. I ordered this book a few days ago and am waiting to receive it. I can't wait to get it now.
ReplyDeleteFabulous dress, it's wonderful: the drape, the color on you, the way you look in it and the style in general. Love how you work with these Japanese books. Great result.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous colour, gorgeous dress! You look stunning!
ReplyDeleteWOW - the dress and the fabric are amazing on you. It is beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe dress is wonderful !!! I love the color and the pleats ! May I suggest you to post it on the french blog Japan Couture Addict : http://japancouture.canalblog.com/archives/livre_240/index.html ?
ReplyDeleteWow! Talk about knock me over. You look amazing in this dress. It's sexy and alluring in a beautiful way. What I like most is the dress isn't wearing you. It compliments, bringing out all your beauty without being overpowering.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning dress, and the color is perfect for you!
ReplyDeleteWOW! That is the coolest dress I've seen in a long time!
ReplyDeleteSexy dress, great colour - you look great!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness that is freaking fabulous!!!
ReplyDeleteOne Hot Dress! Wow!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a fabulous dress!
ReplyDeletewell the people have spoken. This is a sensational dress. I'd love to make it for my DD, and I reckon that the pattern would also work as a skirt.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! You look fabulous. Everything about the dress suits you so well. Quite unique and perfect for a birthday dress.
ReplyDeleteSmoking hot! Wear this when you want to guarantee yourself a subsequent date with a guy.
ReplyDeleteI just bought this book (at Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore, by special order). All of the patterns are fabulous, aren't they? I'm glad to see yours turned out so good in real life...
Gorgeous!! LOVE it. You look great. And, happy belated birthday.
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday! You look divine in that dress. I am used to Stylebook but am very hesitant about attempting Japanese paper patterns. The way yours has turned out, from what looks like an amazing book, is making me think again.
ReplyDeleteI agree, WOW, stunning, amazing! Great dress and great colour!
ReplyDeleteyou have a true one of a kind, this is fantastic, and the color is suberb with your hair color
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome! I love the colour!
ReplyDeleteYou look amazing! Your dress (color, fit, style) is incredible! Adding this one to my sewing wishlist.
ReplyDeleteI love the color and the fit on you. This is a great dress on you.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! This is STUNNING on you!!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteSherryV
Absolutely Stunning!
ReplyDeleteOla
I think this is the classiest look you've done since I've been reading your blog
ReplyDeleteAdorable! It looks as if it were designed especially for you! I bought this book in San Francisco last month (Kinokuniya on both coasts, whoo-hoo!) and can't wait to play with it, even though I'm really more the tweed type. It's just so much fun seeing how the Japanese patterns are drafted and diagrammed - not to mention how different, in large and small ways, the styling is.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a wonderful dress and you look enchanting in it! Very beautiful photos too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birthday dress!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOops, I left my happy birthday comment on the wrong post. Please forgive me. I LOVE THIS DRESS. Wow, the wow factor is just to die for. You look positively radiant in this dress. I loved that you used the silk jersey already! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday! The dress is exquisite! Yes, ultra sexy too.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow batman - that is stunning! I can second the etsy store, having bought some japanese books there in the past with great service.
ReplyDeleteTout simplement magnifique.....
ReplyDeleteBravo
Very good work ! Pretty dress ! Bravo !
ReplyDeletetoutes mes félicitations!!une belle reussite!!!!
ReplyDeleteTres jolie ta robe et la couleur te va tres bien !
ReplyDeleteis there a sweing book for beginners that you can recommend?i love japanese style... THSNKS
ReplyDeletePerfect dress for a beautiful woman. So girly !
ReplyDeleteTrop jolie dans ta robe.
Your dress is amaizing, it suits you very well!!!
ReplyDeleteElle te va a merveille!!!
;)
Hi Trena: I love this dress and I got Drape Drape for my birthday last month. I'm trying to make dress no. 3 and I agree that the pattern tracing is unnecessarily hideous :-) Can you confirm for me that you added in your seam allowances. I assume that's the way it must be but I'm so thrown by the lack of comprehensible direction that I don't want to mess it up. Thanks so much for any feedback you can provide. I'm at kristinm100@yahoo.ca.
ReplyDeleteYour dress looks awesome! I'm in the long process of making the same pattern. Fingers crossed it comes out as nicely as yours!
ReplyDeleteYour dress is fabulous! I hope you don't mind, but I will be featuring it my blog's "Eye Candy" segment. People must know about this amazing creation, seriously!
ReplyDelete