I went to Kinokuniya recently and bought both an issue of Egg (for gyaru fashion) and Misako Aoki’s Sewing Book volume 2 that I had been debating getting online with CDJapan or Amazon JP for much cheaper but with crazy expensive shipping, but now I could get locally at the further Kino for twice the price but at least no shipping worries. I reviewed the first volume last June, a year ago, so I thought I’d review the second volume this year!
Just like volume 1, this is a large mook (magazine/book combo) with attached fold-out paper patterns all traced over on one large sheet like the Gothic Lolita Bibles and Otome no Sewing, but larger sized, and opens and reads from left to right all in Japanese (unlike Japanese books that open from what Westerners read as back to front and right to left.) I don’t know who the intended audience is, I’m too used to reading Japanese mooks the Japanese way so I get confused to read it in the English manner lol. As in volume 1, this features the grown up lady-like cute and elegant fashion style that Misako, an older lolita my age, likes to showcase even though she still wears lolita obviously. The skirts are midi or calf length, the bodices are modest and very loose fitting, very few zippers if any, almost all button closures or pullover with elastic, perfect for perimenopause lol, ask me how I know. Besides various outfits, there are aprons, collars, one jacket, complementing hair accessories and lots of purses and decorations, including adorable goods for oshikatsu trinket-core ita bag charms. Note there are no pants, but there are long bloomers you could wear as pajama bottoms. I absolutely don’t need more bags no matter how cute, nor do I really want to put in the effort for super long skirts, but these two books would make the ideal wardrobe for an older or more modest Japanese fashion fan. Absolutely recommend!
After the table of contents, Misako models each design along with some alternate styling using non-handmade items, then there are a few pages of interviews with Misako, after which the sewing directions begin. Note the first volume didn’t have outerwear or many crafts, but this volume seemed to have manifested my hopes and included a jacket and some plushies and ita bag accessories. Misako Aoki books include LL (extra large in Asian sizing) sizes that most Japanese sewing books don’t have, which is bust 93cm, waist 73 cm and hips 100cm.
Table of Contents, look at the tiny cute handmade plush bunnies!
Sample styling with handmade one piece dress with matching bow scrunchie and handmade heart-shaped purse, the cardigan is not handmade.
Another example of the directions/drafting/materials, this time for 2 variations on a one piece short-sleeve dress. Notice it reads left to right.
As usual, I will review a sewing pattern for a piece of clothing and accessories in a future post, stay tuned!