By now, many of you have heard of the extraordinary Machiko Kayaki. In addition to writing some of the best pattern books for simple, yet beautiful, clothing, she owns Pindot, a fabric store in the outskirts of Tokyo.
If you would like to look at her books through Amazon Japan, copy and paste her name into the search bar: 茅木 真知子 . From there, you can see her books, and all ISBN numbers. I have heard great things about yesasia.com for book ordering.
Yes, it is true that you can sew things from the Japanese pattern books without reading Japanese. But with Machiko Kayaki’s books, there is such an energy, enthusiasm, and taskmaster-ish feel to her writing that I consider the text to be at least 25% of the overall charm of her books. About this skirt in Sewing Lesson, she writes, “A 4-layer, tiered skirt made from stiff cotton. A pretty nice flare came out. Even if you want to topstitch the joined sections (yoke), control yourself. For this one, not topstitching is better looking. Also, in order to show the lines , I would make this in a solid fabric.”
Rippo has made many Machiko Kayaki clothes. Personally, I love this style. I like to add more color to my wardrobe than is trendy among the “home couture” sewing mamas in Japan, but you get the idea. I love the dress she made from Sewing Talk.
7 responses so far ↓
Adrienne // July 19, 2007 at 12:43 am
It’s beautiful! I love that skirt too!
carolyn // July 19, 2007 at 2:33 am
jen, you are such an old soul. i love the paragraph about the text.
katrin // July 19, 2007 at 8:43 am
yes, machiko kayaki ROCKS!
i own many of her books, and each one is a little treasure.
i’m a bit jealous about all those lovely trimmings she uses on many of her things, which aren’t available here. but i can live with that as long as i have the books! ;)
hotsalad // July 20, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying your blog. Thanks for sharing your talent and information!
marisa // July 21, 2007 at 3:32 am
This is so beautiful and soft looking. I would love a skirt like this. Thank you for sharing this. Your blog is one of my all time favorites.
michellegiacobello // August 3, 2007 at 3:24 am
Pindot looks like heaven to me! Wonder if they’d like to open a framchise in Melbourne……
ilhame // February 24, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Thanks for all the advice. All those stores you talk about are so beautiful and inspiring.
Would you mind please presenting other sewing rockstars?
thanks
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