It’s that time of the year when Frances of Miss Matatabi stocks her shop with the dreamiest, newest season of the Nani Iro fabric line designed by the one and only Naomi Ito. If you haven’t already, do check out the interview Frances posted with Naomi’s thoughtful and inspiring responses.
It’s my second year participating in Nani Iro Month, and the 2015 designs may be my favorite. I selected two to showcase, and the first one is called Free Way – hitoiki. Hitoiki, means a single breath, or taking a quick breather. A rather appropriate name for this billowy top I made that feels like a summery respite.
The pattern is from this book
Although I thought the sheer black of pattern G was lovely, with the temperatures skyrocketing these days, I decided to omit the sleeves. I cut out the size 9, which is supposed to be the equivalent of a small, but it’s so roomy, I could have easily gone down one more size.
Double gauze feels like clouds against my skin. So luscious.
Feeling that one top that makes me look preggo isn’t sufficient, I proceeded to fashion another maternity top out of the gorgeous Jewel Song Metallic Pocho Yozora (Yozora means “night sky”). Miss Matatabi appears to be out of this colorway, but I also have the fabric in a refreshing minty-aqua, and I’m still pondering what to make. In actuality, I’d purchased the indigo prior to Nani Iro Month and received the minty-aqua for free from Frances, but I felt strongly that the top looked better in a darker color. Sorry for the switch-a-roo, Frances! I should let you know that some fabrics that have been featured as part of Nani Iro month may be out of stock at this time as they sell like hotcakes, but Frances is diligently re-ordering so they will be back in the shop!
The pattern is from this book
I now have two solidly wearable and comfortable tops that will get sleepily tugged on many, many mornings. Awesome sauce, as K would say.
So! There’s also a fantastic giveaway going on — it’s a must-enter! The giveaway is 20m of fabric, 6 x bias tapes, two books signed by Naomi, and two sewing patterns. Also, Naomi has generously offered to contribute a personal gift from her. As Frances wrote, “I don’t know what it is yet but I’m sure it will be lovely!” Here’s the Rafflecopter for ya:
And I believe I’m the last stop of the blog tour before the grand Miss Matatabi finale, so make sure to check out all the lovelies:
Happy weekend, everyone!
Nani IRO month
Is the best time of year
as far as I know
P.S. I almost forgot! I’ll be at Urban Craft Uprising from 12-1 tomorrow, June 27th. If you’re local, would love to see you!
Nani IRO month, yay!! I love all your lovely fabrics 🙂
Thanks so much Becky! I’ve been hoarding Nani Iro fabrics lately (they will be heavily featured in book #2), and they’re the best!
I love both of these tops and fabrics! They seem like the perfect summer pieces.
Many thanks, Courtney! I’ve already worn both tops multiple times and I can attest that they are perfect for hot weather — we’ve been having a heat wave here in Seattle and the double-gauze breathes so well!
Beautiful inspiration! Thinking of warmer weather and chances to sew soft airy attire.
Thank you, Emma! Are you somewhere on the other side of the world? I’m dreaming of cooler weather myself 🙂 Our house has been about 100 degrees these last few days!!
All of her fabric is so beautiful and I love your pattern choices!
Yes, indeed, Sarah! Miss Matatabi carries the best selection of Nani Iro and I’m so glad you like the patterns I selected. They were fun to sew. 🙂
You don´t look preggo 😉 I have been waiting to see what you will make! I love your two pieces, so easy and comfy and still stylish. I have those two fabrics myself and still want to make something with the yozora. I could not believe my eyes when I read, that yozora means night sky – this was the first thing I thought when I saw this fabric for the first time and I am planning on making a mini quilt with the the moon and the yozora as the night sky. I guess it´s meant to be!
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the book signing! xoxo Ute
Not only is Naomi Ito a genius textile designer, she’s obviously a skilled fabric namer too (I’m assuming she names them herself) ;-). I think a quilt would be beautiful!! The book signing was awesome (a man purchased a copy for his soon-to-be-born son — I loved that!). Thank you for the kind words, and I hope you’re doing well, my dear Ute!! xoxo
Those tops are so gorgeous. I think they are perfect for summer. You look great in them.
Oh, thank you Karen! They are quite possibly the most comfortable tops I own!
I really love Nani Iro fabric. That and your blog are two of the things that have inspired me to start sewing – and by start I mean learning from scratch.. I have sewn about 3 things and am now trying to make a dress using some Nani Iro double gauze and can’t wait to see it finished. Thanks for being part of the inspiration….
I’m delighted that I had a hand in jumpstarting your sewing adventures, Naomi Rose! And what a lovely name you have :-). I hope the dressmaking goes well!
I totally love both these tops and I agree that Nano iro feels like soft clouds. It is so much fun to work with–it kind of does what you want.
You’re so right, Greta – Nani Iro has such a unique texture. It took me a few times to get used to it, but now I love sewing with double-gauze!
Your tops beautifully showcase those gorgeous fabrics, and they look great with your jeans!
Thanks Claire! It’s been too hot to wear jeans these past few days, so I’ve been pairing the tops with long-ish, slim shorts, and I’m liking the combo a lot! 🙂
With my love of blue and stripes, you can believe that first fabric speaks to my heart! LOVE! What beautiful tops you’ve created for your summer wardrobe. Being that they feel like a dream to wear and are so stylish, I”m sure they will be in frequent rotation this summer. I’ve just recently begun tentatively putting my foot into the world of sewing for myself, having made a few Lindens and a hoodie sweatshirt. Mixed results, but as my girls become less interested in wearing clothes made by me, I have to start channelling my sewing urges elsewhere:)
Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the book signing! I only wish I were local:)
Oooh, I want to see what you’re making Lucinda! I bet the Lindens and the hoodie look great on you! And yes, always, always blues…;-)
Oh Sanae, I love both of these tops! I have the Hitoiki but haven’t decided what to sew with it yet. And I’m on the “wait list” for the Yozora with Frances! I’m glad you’ve made yourself a couple of wonderful summery tops for this heat. I need to do the same. Am inspired particularly with the second one. Will have to see if I can fudge one up myself!
Happy Weekend! All I can say is “stay cool”. It’s gonna be a scorcher!
Scorcher is right!! I’m “glistening” as I type this. In the almost 15 years I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest, this has been the driest, hottest summer ever! So glad you’re getting the yozora fabric, the photos really don’t do it justice. You will absolutely love it!!
Both are such pretty summery tops. Love how you left out the sleeves on the first top! It’s too warm to wear long sleeves in my weather, so I should try that someday.
Thanks Erin! I was flipping through my many, many Japanese sewing books and had narrowed it down to three patterns, then I saw this one and had the lightbulb moment. I love it when that happens (it doesn’t happen very often) :-).
The fabric does look dreamy. I love how it looks like an impressionist painting.
Every fabric designed by Naomi Ito is truly a work of art, Kristi! You can tell that she puts so much care into each element and it feels like I’m wearing the highest quality garment, you know? 🙂
AAAH I love double gauze! This all looks amazing! Or awesome sauce, as my boyfriend also says.
Yes!! Awesome sauce!! I’ve been noticing more double gauze fabric cropping up from American textile companies too and no wonder. It’s perfect for summer, babies, so many things!
Positively stunning Sanae!
Thank you so much, Melissa! I’m excited to share the next project with you!
I JUST ordered some of that striped fabric you’re wearing – it’s even better looking than I was hoping!
Haha! Maybe we’ll show up wearing the same fabric when we have coffee next week ;-). I hope you’re doing well, and I’m looking forward to catching up!!
Love those tops, they look so cool!
Thank you, Denise! I walked for almost three miles in 90-degree wearing the Free Way top, and let me tell you, that fabric is life-saver!!!
Confession #1: I’ve never had an opportunity to sew with Nani Iro fabric.
Confession #2: The fabrics are so beautiful, I would have difficult time cutting them.
I totally understand, Daniela! It’s intimidating to cut into such gorgeousness, and I hold my breath a lot when I do. So far, I haven’t had any true catastrophes, but I do get the butterflies of nervousness every time I work with Nani Iro :-).
Sanae both your tops are perfect and you look so great in them! I have that first book and would never have thought to make that top but your version has just convinced me that I should! Thank you so much for joining in this month! xo
Thank you so, so much for letting me tag along, Frances! It’s always super fun collaborating with you, and you were more than generous with the fabric! I don’t want to get all presumptuous, but I’m not-so-secretly plotting to get included next year too :-). xoxoxo
Beautiful fabrics and very nice tops you have made (like always)! These fabrics are very difficult to get your hands on in Norway unless you want to pay a fortune for import taxes. I have couple of her fabrics but don’t dare cut into it until I am 100% I will make the right thing.
Oh, I hear you on the shipping costs. I’ve been shipping things around the world lately and sometimes I gasp when my go-to delivery service tells me how much it will cost. I do hope you’ll get to make something with your precious fabric soon! Nani Iro really is incomparable, and I end up loving everything I make just because the fabric is so sublime. 🙂
Lovely!
Thank you very much, Hari! Most important: lovely against my skin :-).
I have that book too! (Stylish Dress Book) I’m sentimental about it because it was my very first Japanese pattern book 🙂
(oops hit enter too soon…) I love the print you chose for it, a dreamy pattern for a dreamy top <3
I like the book a lot, Kathryn! I have my eye on a couple of other patterns that I hope I’ll be able to tackle soon-ish!
These tops are lovely, they just look effortless!
Oooh, I love effortless! Thank you, Nessie!
such a dreamy navy fabric. not maternity just super comfy 🙂
Hooray, I’m glad it’s not reading maternity, but you know, this has become my de facto style, so I’m not too fussy about it ;-). Comfort rules! Thank you, Sarah
Love your beautiful and comfy looking tops! I love Nani Iro fabric! The most lovely fabric to gaze upon, both up close and from afar. To wear, touch, dream about and taste…maybe not taste 🙂
K used to taste my Nani Iro fabric when she was a baby…wow, that just made me realize that I’ve been buying the gorgeous stuff for a loooooong time! It never gets old! Thank you, Bree!
Both tops look great Sanae. I think I’ve hit the age when I can wear a top like this without anyone thinking I’m pregnant, and why shouldn’t I? They look so comfy!
Oh, pshaw Shelley, you of the youthful glow! But you’re right, I should be flattered if anyone thinks I’m preggers — I’m way, way, way past my expiration date. :-). Thank you!