The Beautiful Sunday

We took a short trip to Kamakura on Sunday. It was warmer than Saturday and a very beautiful autumn day. So, I knew there would be lots of tourists!!!


I was right, there were many people on streets. Once we got off at Kitakamakura station, we visited Enkaku-ji Temple. I think it is one of the famous temples in Kamakura and quite big. First, you'll find the huge mon gate, and see small wooden Japanese buildings along the hills. Lots of people were taking pictures of autumn leaves because it was beautiful and very Japanese, and the buildings.

After we enjoyed the temple, we headed to Komachi Street near Kamakura station. It is located really closed to Kamakura station and there are many shops on the street such as Japanese food restaurants, traditional paper shop, kimono shop, and more.

Then, we stopped by a small kimono shop and bought a piece of obi fabric and tsumugi fabric for kimono. Tsumugi was not just a piece but (I guess it should be)　it was 13 meters. I thought the nice silk fabric was nice to make a kimono and wear it! For the obi fabric, which I picked, I haven't decided what to make because so many ideas came up with my mind...oh...what should I make with?

This is 1 tan (13 meters) of the tsumugi

This is the obi fabric

How to Fold Your Kimono

Ok, I'll show you how to fold your kimonos or yukatas. You can use this method for most of your kimono except furisode, children's or men's kimonos. This is good for regular types of kimonos for females.

I know many foreigners buy kimonos as their souvenirs or get some as some gifts. But do you know how to fold? If the material is polyester, it won't be a matter but you need to fold a kimono or a yukata properly if it is made of silk or cotton.

Here are the instructions. Please note my English isn't perfectly correct. I hope you can understand! Good Luck!

1. Lay your kimono on the clean floor.

2. Look at the kimono carefully. Do you see the line　that is sewn together? (interfacing between a migoro and a okumi) You need to fold it toward the side.

3. Look at the collar. Now hold up the right collar and put it on the left one.

This is how it looks like now.

4.  This step is very important because if you mess it up, your kimono will look messy.
     Open this part and remove all the wrinkles.  Make sure to fold evenly from the center.  I pointed the left corner in the photo.

I'm holding the right corner.

Now the both sides match. and this shot is from the shoulder.

5.  Next step is to hold up the center and bring it towards you.

6. Now the sleeves.

Hold the right sleeve.

And place it on the left.

7. It's almost done! Ok, we are going to fold it into half. Do you see where to fold? Place your hand on the kimono and fold it into half.

This is how it looks like now.

9.  You have sleeves left.  Just turn the sleeves onto the kimono.  Flip the kimono carefully and repeat it for the other side of the sleeves.

10.  This is the last step.  Keep your kimono in tato-shi paper!  Well done!  

I hope it is clear enough for everyone. Now it is your turn! Try it out! If you have any questions on this, please contact me!

Done!

I need to introduce my lovely children.  I've finished the last piece two weeks ago and didn't tell you about it.


Here are my children!

Looping

This is my daughter's favorite. We bought it for her birthday in August this year, but it was too difficult for her at first. Or maybe she didn't know what it was!

Three months has gone since and she now enjoys it. Sometimes she can't reach somewhere deep because she is only 1 year and (almost)3 months old.

By the way, is the toy popular? I see it at many places in a variety of size.

A Good Day to Take Out My Fabrics!

It's a nice sunny day today. The sun is out and it is not too cold, or more like warm. So, I took out some of my fabrics from my box and put them in a random order.  Somewhat I thought they look cuter if I take a picture like that. hmm...

My Etsy shop is open!

Hello, everyone!
I just opened up my Etsy shop. By now, I listed 4 different pouches for you to purchase. If you like any of those, please click "buy" button.