Sanae Ishida - Sewing Happiness: A Year of Simple Projects for Living Well

Copyright 2016 by Sanae Ishida

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published by Sasquatch Books

Editor: Hannah Elnan

Production editor: Emma Reh

Design: Anna Goldstein

Copyeditor: Nancy W. Cortelyou

Photographs: Michelle Porter, Styling: Tristan Brando

Photographs: Sanae Ishida, Styling: Rachel Grunig

Photographs: Sanae Ishida, Styling: Allegra Hsiao

Photographs and styling: Sanae Ishida

Photograph and styling: Michelle Porter

All other photos Photographs: George Barberis, Styling: Rachel Grunig

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-57061-995-3

ebook ISBN: 978-1-57061-996-0

Sasquatch Books

1904 Third Avenue, Suite 710

Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 467-4300

www.sasquatchbooks.com

v4.1

a

ID LIKE TO THINK THIS ISNT your typical sewing book. Its part cautionary tale; part practical collection of simple sewing projects; part entreaty for gentler, less perfection-oriented ideals in life. At its heart, its a personal story about unexpected transformations.

I want to start with a promise: if I can sew, anyone can sew.

I cant promise that the results will be flawless, or that youll learn everything there is to know about sewing from the pages that followsince I still cant get through a project without at least one mistake even after years of sewing. Still, if you take it one step at a time, one small task at a time, and just stick with it, youll be surprised by how quickly your skills improve and how beautiful your final creations will be.

If youve picked up this book and youre new to sewing, or if you are coming back to it after an intermission, I think youll find the projects completely doable. As with any new or rusty skill, youll need to do some preparation up front and get your gear ready, and there might be a bit of a learning curve, but ultimately, all you need is a touch of inspiration, some basic tools, and the willingness to try. If youre anything like me, you might be tempted to go crazy and invest in every gadget and shiny accoutrement, but Ive learned that not a lot is required to get started.

If youre more seasoned in the craftwork of sewing, my hope is that you will find the projects refreshing in their simplicity, and will consider them launching pads for more advanced variations to your liking. Of note is a small section Ive included with my loose interpretation of Japanese-style embroidery called Sashiko, which is a charming detail to add to a plethora of items.

Simple sewing is my favorite kind. I did my best to streamline the projects so that they are straightforward and easymy aim was to make them easy enough for my nine-year-old daughter to confidently give them a shot. To that end, there are no complex pattern sheets to cut or trace or tape together. All the elements for the projects can be whipped up with a few measurements and possibly an existing garment for reference. Fudging is allowed and encouraged. Mistakes are part and parcel of the process, and the seam ripper will become your best friend.

Speaking of my daughter, she will pop up quite a bit throughout the book. Weve chosen to keep her name private, but I will refer to her as KoKo, a nickname shes selected for herself. The word means here in Japanese, which evokes a sense of mindfulness for me, as in the here and now. I like it. KoKo is also the name of a female lowland gorilla that has mastered an impressive amount of sign language, and this too makes me inexplicably happy.

I try to dwell, like Emily Dickinson, in possibilities. With that in mind, Ive attempted to make the projects in this book modifiable and customizable. Theres a variety to choose from, including garments for kids and adults and home decor and gifts. All are full of possibilities.

introduction

IT WOULDNT BE AN EXAGGERATION TO say that sewing saved my life and altered it forever. Thats a pretty big claim, and Im ready to back it up.