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Jan 20, 2014

More Japanese Patterns: Shimazaki Ryuichiro's "Book of Men's Shirts"!



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!

16 comments:

  1. 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?

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  2. I read about this Japanese sewers companion book on Tilly and the Buttons ...http://www.japanesesewingpatterns.com/ebook/
    Might be useful.

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  3. Endless men's dress shirts sounds like my idea of hell, but I'll eagerly watch you make them!

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  4. Japanese 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. :)

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  5. I'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.

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  6. Here's another website that might be helpful:
    http://www.japanesesewingbooks.com/japanese-sewing-terminology-a-list-of-translated-terms/
    and she reviews your shirt book as well.

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  7. Check Yoshimi's blog, she sewed from it for her better half.

    http://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!

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  8. 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
    http://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 :-)

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  9. I forgot your entire blog entry when I saw the pics of that poor, humiliated dog... LOL!

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  10. So glad you posted this. new to sewing and my goal is to start making my own shirts. I am very much inspired!

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  11. Another fantastic post Peter. I've sent his book down at the fashion bookstore downtown and it looks fantastic.

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  12. You'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.

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  13. Some 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.

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  14. As 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.

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  15. Great book. I bought the French version ! Much easier to translate XD Unfortunately the other books from Shimazaki are only in Japanese (coats and parka)

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