Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids Review and GIVEAWAY! {CLOSED}

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*CONGRATS to Natasha Tung, the winner of Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids*

You guys know that I love and adore Japanese sewing books right?  I mean, I did an entire series on them.  How to buy, decipher and sew with them even if you don’t understand a bit of Japanese.  Well, if you didn’t know that I love Japanese sewing books, now you know.  And I truly believe that anyone can sew from these sewing books without knowing any Japanese.

BUT I also truly believe that there is no reason to make things harder for yourself than necessary.  So now that the ever popular Happy Homemade Vol. 2 has been translated into English, I am psyched because, not only is this a AWESOME book of patterns, but it’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with Japanese sewing patterns without dealing with the foreign language!  Here it is, Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids!

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

In this book, you get 20 patterns.  Dresses, shorts, shirts, skirts, blouses, pants, and a pullover.  There are a lot of great basic patterns that you can basically build a wardrobe from and I love that there are patterns that are for girls, boys, and plenty of gender neutral stuff.  And all REALLY CUTE!

Sew Chic Kids Review and Giveaway // you & mie

Sew Chic Kids Review and Giveaway // you & mie

Sew Chic Kids Review and Giveaway // you & mie

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

This Pull-over Parka is high on my sewing to do list!!

The English version is very similar to the original Japanese book.  The format is the same, with gorgeous photos of the finished products in the front and all the directions for each project in the back.  The instruction pages are also laid out the same way as the Japanese book.  This part is often tricky to decipher in Japanese, so having it in English makes it a breeze.  The best part in my opinion, is that you can learn so much from seeing a Japanese book in English that you can then use to help you with sewing books that are actually in Japanese.  This book makes a great teaching tool in so many ways.

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

Here’s a little look at a diagram from the English version of the book and the same one from the Japanese version so you can compare.  Same great drawings, but labels, instructions and hints in English!  Yes!

Another plus . . . all the measurements are listed in inches and centimeters!

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

The patterns in the book come in four sizes that are labeled 2, 4, 6, 8, but be careful because those aren’t the same as typical American sizes.  They are the equivalent to 100, 110, 120, and 130, respectively, in Japanese sizes.  This is approximately size 3/4, 5, 6, and 7/8 by American standards, but be sure to use the measurement chart at the front of the book to choose the right size for your child.

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

The book includes plenty of handy tips about sewing basics, materials and skills, for example, adding seam allowances to your pattern pieces!

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

The pattern pieces are laid out on both sides of two large sheets.  The pattern pieces overlap, so they do require tracing (and adding seam allowance), but they much easier to navigate than the Japanese version.

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

If you’re drawn to Japanese sewing books but are still hesitant to take the plunge, this is a really great first step.  You really get all of the great things about Japanese patterns, but without the challenge of a foreign language.  You can’t really ask for more . . .

Sew Chic Kids Review & Giveaway // you & mie

And guess what!?  The kind people from Tuttle Publishing who have brought us Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids are giving away a copy to one lucky reader!

Giveaway details: {CLOSED}
– Giveaway will remain open until Friday, May 9th at 5pm PST
– Winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted by email
– Open to US and Canadian residents only
– Void where prohibited

Here’s how to enter:
– Leave a comment on this post.  Any comment will do!

Additional entries:
PLEASE LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH
– Follow you & mie on Facebook and leave a comment telling me you do so.
– Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment telling me you do so.

(maximum number of entries is 3)

Thanks to Tuttle Publishing for providing me with this great book to review.  Be sure to check out other titles from Tuttle Publishing (they’ve got several other Japanese sewing books in English, including 2 for women’s clothes!!) and keep up with their latest here:

website // facebook // pinterest // twitter

Good luck and have a great weekend!

*This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook or Pinterest. We hereby release Facebook and Pinterest of any liability. No purchase necessary.  you & mie takes no responsibility for packages lost by the postal service. Giveaway starts Friday, May 2nd and ends Friday, May 9th at 5pm PST. Once the giveaway ends, winners will be chosen at random and contacted within 24 hours by e-mail. This post will be updated with winners’ names. Winners will need to respond within 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. Giveaway is void where prohibited.*

183 thoughts on “Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids Review and GIVEAWAY! {CLOSED}”

  6. Oh I love Japanese pattern books! I usually find the pictures so great that I forget it is in another language, but an English version would be super fabulous!

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  18. This looks like an awesome book that I would love to sew from for my 3-1/2 daughter and soon-to-be-born son (due in July)!

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  20. I’ve never sewn from a Japanese sewing book as I find them super intimidating. But one translated to English, with the patterns slightly more spread out on the pattern pages might just be the entry point. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  23. My boyfriend and I have been dating since high school and now are about to get married next year. I always imagine how our miniatures look like and I want to take care of them dearly, dressing them nicely. I’d love to sew them many many clothes so I keep collecting sewing books. I saw a Japanese version and didn’t know it’s got an English one. This is perfect! Try my luck ;). If not, I’ll purchase one for myself then. It’s too adorable.

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  25. I’ve had this on my wishlist since it was first released but haven’t taken the plunge yet. Glad to hear that it’s as great as the Japanese version.

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  29. This looks like a great book! With a little boy to sew for, I’m happy to see boy/gender-neutral patterns as well.

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  32. Oh! I want to win so badly! I just bought a women’s Japanese sewing book and would love this one too!

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  37. Although my little boy is only one, this would be a great book for me. It take me F-O-R-E-V-E-R to sew anything so my projects take weeks to months, so having this so far in advance would be wonderful. I also have never used a Japanese sewing book. I used to live in Japan, but unfortunately did not sew at that time, so missed out on going to any Japanese fabric stores. Thanks for the chance.

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  45. Looks like a great book! I’ve had this one in my Saved for Later Amazon cart for ages — will have to pull the trigger one of these days!

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  53. I’m so excited! I have one other Japanese pattern book but I’ve been too intimidated to try any garments yet, this book sounds like the key!

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  76. I’ve seen this book before (I borrowed it, sadly I don’t own it), and it’s great! I’m obsessed with the boy shorts – they’re perfect.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  77. Love that one can learn from the English version to help decipher the Japanese language books! I would love to win!

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  84. I hated sewing at school, but now when i’m a mom sewing seems really interesting. Your website and facebooksite really inspire me to want to start trying again. That book would be a great start. Thanks 🙂

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  85. I am so excited!! You make the adorablest (is that a word??) Stuff! I haven’t tried because I only understand every third word or sewing lingo in my own language… Much less someone else’s!

    *happy happy chair dancing*

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  102. What a great looking book! I have been quite intimidated by Japanese books and magazines, but love the styling and photography. My little girl’s natural hair is exactly like the little girl with the green dress on:)

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  105. I still haven’t tried any Japanese sewing patterns, but would really like to. I love the clean lines and design of the kids clothes. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  111. I would love this book! I am a beginner sewer…don’t even own a pattern book. I just trace and copy my kids current clothes. I need a book!

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  122. Iv come across a few great blogs who use Japanese sewing books & have been tempted but as a newbie I’m a scaredy cat – be nice to win my first one 🙂

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  123. TRUE modern designers, the Japanese are light-years ahead of the rest of the world in FASHION! I often watch the Tokyo cable channel, specifically the feature programs on fashion, fabrics, art, design and foods also. Knowing this set of children’s clothing patterns has been translated from Japanese is FANTASTIC. I’d love to be the winner of this pattern, Happy Homemade: Sew Chic Kids. Thanks in advance if I do win! Sarah Helene in Minneapolis

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  128. i’ve been really interested in japanese sewing books and this looks like a great way to start!

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  137. Oh, this is an amazing book… I’m so glad an English version has been released (I need the written instructions – clearly not a visual learner!). Lovely giveaway.

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  158. YAY!! Thank you for the opportunity!! I follow you on Pinterest and Facebook! Now, to peruse some inspiring ideas from you on your boards!! YAY!

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  163. I am so stoked! I tried a Japanese pattern before and it totally worked out, but this seems like it would be less stress.

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  165. thanks so much for the information! are you aware of any similar sewing book for ADULT clothing? i need some basic summer dresses and pants, as i’ve gained weight and want a certain style not available ready-made. i love reading your blog, so informative and happy!

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  169. It would be so great to have this pattern book in English. It might help me with the ones in Japanese that I already own and don’t use!

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  171. I have long been in love with Japanese sewing patterns but have been just a little scared of trying to tackle sewing patterns in another language. Marvellous news that such an incredible collection has been translated into English!

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  172. Oh how I would love this book! I just recently added it to my wishlist on Amazon 🙂 I’m a beginner sewer and can’t wait to try Japanese patterns!

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  182. Pingback: Happy Homemade Sew-Along // where to buy the book | you and mie

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