Making Kimono & Japanese Clothes [Hardcover]

Jenni Dobson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2005

A practical and inspirational book for dressmakers, quilters and embroiderers who have long coveted the style of Japanese clothes, in particular the kimono. Expert dressmaker and quilter Jenni Dobson takes you through the techniques for making Japanese clothes with simple step-by-step processes, but goes further, covering details on Japanese design and the various techniques for embellishing Japanese clothes. Colourfully illustrated with images of finished garments as well as practical diagrams and patterns for dressmaking, the author has deliberately made all the garments accessible even for those with limited experience of dressmaking, but there are plenty of ideas to inspire those more accomplished readers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Beautifully illustrated throughout, it contains a brief history of Japanese dress along with a guide to Japanese design. This is an ideal book for those who love the timeless appeal of these beautiful garments." Sewing World, January 2009. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jenni Dobson is a quilter, teacher and writer. She teaches a number of workshops on both quilting and kimono-making. She is the author of several books on quilting, including Reader's Digest Patchwork, Quilting and Applique. She also writes articles for several magazines and wrote the pamphlet Sewing a Kimono for Euro Japan Links Ltd (suppliers of Japanese materials). Lives in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: B.T. Batsford (February 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0713489030
• ISBN-13: 978-0713489033
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,223,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Offers little guidance on "Japanese-y" clothing, December 22, 2006

By 

C. Law "claw789" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Kimono & Japanese Clothes (Hardcover)

It was too brief, too cursory, with just an overview of colors, motifs, design strategies. It was a helpful how-to for sashiko embroidery decorations, hanten and hippari (the more "folksy" traditional garments in Japan), but not helpful for instructions on how to re-line my haori. The author barely mentions adding a lining in passing, without really going into depth on how to do it, not even a "repeat steps 3-6 with lining fabric and sew on the reverse". And her section on making an "obi" was pathetic (and that's being kind) for something that resembles a heavyweight wrestler's championship belt. It's good for the beginner who is completely unfamiliar with Japanese garments, but you will soon crave more depth after reading it.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Rather Dissapointing, July 27, 2007

By 

firefrostadept - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Kimono & Japanese Clothes (Hardcover)

I currently use this book as a way to keep kittens from digging through things. The cover is gorgeous and has several nice images of traditional kimono. It is also useful for a basic jist of patterns. What this book is most useful for is making American Kimona or kimono inspired wear. It does not offer much in the way of history or in the making of traditional formal wear. I would recommend making yukata from this book, but I could not recommend using this book, especially not exclusively to make traditional kosode or furisode. A very useful book for Japanese inspired clothing. I think this book would have been much better billed for what it is and what it is good at, rather than displaying a cover and title giving the impression that it will help you make something that beautiful rather than something earthy and crafty.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making kimono and Japanese clothes, June 2, 2009

By 

Zarabeth "Vona" (Worcester MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Kimono and Japanese Clothes (Paperback)

This is a book of wonderful ideas and creative information! It would be suitable for some one who sews and quilts just a bit or one, like me who has been sewing and quilting for years! I recommend it highly! If you'd like a source of antique kimono and fabrics here is my favorite place: [...] the owners are sweet, kind and helpful and they also have a an interesting and informative e-newsletter! and they are in Japan!