Happy New Year!

Hello 2012! Did you know that January 2nd in Japan is similar to Black Friday in the States? I didn’t until today. I went out shopping in the city today, and was caught off guard by the amount of people out shopping and the massive sales going on! I was even more surprised when I received 40% off my purchase at a craft store, Yuzawaya. 40% off! That’s almost half the retail price. I was ecstatic. I felt it would be an appropriate way to start a new year by picking up some long needed new sewing supplies. I went ahead and grabbed supplies that I’ve been wanting but reserving myself from buying (because I’m cheap).

As a starter, I bought a cutting mat. I had a rottery cutter but didn’t have a board. I would occasionally use the cutter on a table with newspaper. But I decided that it’s just silly not to spend 20 bucks to make my sewing life easier, so I got it. Also bought a tailor’s ham. I’ve had a seam roll, and using the top round part of the seam roll to press darts and curves, but I often found myself frustrated, because obviously a seam roll is not meant to be used that way. I also got french curves to replace various plates and cups I’ve been using to smooth out curves.

I bought pliers for snaps. I’ve been wanting one after seeing what Jue’s got from her father. I’m thinking of using this for cardigans or dresses with front openings. Another clever item I found was this metal plate to make round corner of pockets. I was making a pattern with thick paper to iron the round corner of pockets before, but this mini metal plate will make my life much easier. I can now make four different degrees of roundness on a pocket corner!

I also bought new tailor’s chalk and tracing paper. I’m so excited to have these new supplies around me!

After that little excursion I went to a bookstore and splurged on these two sewing books: Drape Drape 3 (ドレープドレープ３） by Hisako Sato　（佐藤ヒサコ） and Men’s Shirts Book （男のシャツの本）by Ryuichiro Shimazaki　（嶋崎隆一郎）. I’ve been wanting to lay my hands on the Drape Drape book series. I have not bought 1 or 2 but I decided to jump in on 3 since it is the newest book. I’m going to make myself some stuff from the book to take on my Guam trip this month.

That’s it for today. I’m overly excited now I don’t know if I can sleep tonight!