You can find it here if you want more information.
Showing posts with label kimono. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kimono. Show all posts
Friday, June 19, 2015
Scrunchie Made of Kimono Fabric
Look at this! This scrunchie is made of authentic kimono fabric and Western fabric, tulle. It's great for both casual and formal occasions/ The bright red tulle makes the scrunchie more energetic but the kimono fabric makes more sensitive taste to the scrunchie.
You can find it here if you want more information.
You can find it here if you want more information.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Done! The Yukata is Ready!
Before you start sewing, it is important to match the patterns. With matching, the kimono will look great; however, without matching the main motif might come on your back or even worse, the motif might be cut in half! Ouch! Decide which motif to come to the front, back or sleeves. Once you decide, it is time to cut the fabric!
After cutting up the fabric, it's time to mark and sew. This is the sleeve.
Which obi do you like? a reversible yellow obi(hakata)
Next time I'd like to try combinations of the yukata and Nagoya obis for kimono.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Lots of Yukata Fabrics and Ready-to-Wear Yukata Are in Stores
It's perfect time to wear a yukata now. You can wear it only in the summer time, so don't miss it everyone!
Last Sunday I bought a yukata fabric! (Shame on me, I wasn't planning to buy such a thing but I couldn't resist...) As some people know that some yukatas can wear from May until the end of August. If you want to wear it earlier than the regular yukata season that is from Jun to Aug, you should wear a nagajuban, which is worn under a kimono, and zori, which is kimono shoes but not for a yukata, to look it more like a kimono. Because it is too early to wear the yukata just as is. If you wear a nagajuban, it is ok. In addition to that, you can wear a either hanhaba obi or nagoya obi.
A hanhaba obi is a half the width of a regular obi, and is worn on a yukata or a casual kimono, on the other hand, a nagoya obi is usually worn on a casual kimono. Occasionally, it's worn on a yukata.
So, if the color or the pattern of your yukata is not too bright or too girly, you can wear your yukata as a summer kimono. You should try!
Anyway, this is the fabric I bought. I want to wear it as a summer kimono next year. (I don't think I can finish up in the summer!)
Last Sunday I bought a yukata fabric! (Shame on me, I wasn't planning to buy such a thing but I couldn't resist...) As some people know that some yukatas can wear from May until the end of August. If you want to wear it earlier than the regular yukata season that is from Jun to Aug, you should wear a nagajuban, which is worn under a kimono, and zori, which is kimono shoes but not for a yukata, to look it more like a kimono. Because it is too early to wear the yukata just as is. If you wear a nagajuban, it is ok. In addition to that, you can wear a either hanhaba obi or nagoya obi.
A hanhaba obi is a half the width of a regular obi, and is worn on a yukata or a casual kimono, on the other hand, a nagoya obi is usually worn on a casual kimono. Occasionally, it's worn on a yukata.
So, if the color or the pattern of your yukata is not too bright or too girly, you can wear your yukata as a summer kimono. You should try!
Anyway, this is the fabric I bought. I want to wear it as a summer kimono next year. (I don't think I can finish up in the summer!)
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Tanabata Festival
Do you know "tanabata" festival? It's one of traditional festivals in Japan. It's said that the prince and the princess who cannot meet can finally meet only on July 7th. It's the only chance they can meet; however, it has to be a clear night. Since the Milky Way separates them (they can't cross the river!), they can meet only at a clear night when you can see the Milky Way clearly.
Unfortunately, July 7th is usually cloudy or rainy every year. Tonight is cloudy. Man, it's a tragedy...
Well, we write a wish on a piece of paper, called tanzaku, and hung it in a bamboo tree. This year I wished quick recovery from the earthquake.
Today lots of small kids and their mom got together and celebrated the tanabata festival and had lots of fun. All the kids wore jinbei, which is clothing with a yukata top and shorts, and they were really cute. But only one of the others and I brought yukatas to the place, and of course I put it on right away. I put a yukata on one of a Japanese moms, one Filipino woman, and one Thai woman. They seemed to enjoy wearing it. One thing surprised me was that the Filipino woman knew how to fold a yukata! I gave her some advice and she quickly learned it! Amazing isn't it? Not many Japanese people know how to fold a yukata, but a non-Japanese person knew more! I hope she remembers it!
Unfortunately, July 7th is usually cloudy or rainy every year. Tonight is cloudy. Man, it's a tragedy...
Well, we write a wish on a piece of paper, called tanzaku, and hung it in a bamboo tree. This year I wished quick recovery from the earthquake.
Today lots of small kids and their mom got together and celebrated the tanabata festival and had lots of fun. All the kids wore jinbei, which is clothing with a yukata top and shorts, and they were really cute. But only one of the others and I brought yukatas to the place, and of course I put it on right away. I put a yukata on one of a Japanese moms, one Filipino woman, and one Thai woman. They seemed to enjoy wearing it. One thing surprised me was that the Filipino woman knew how to fold a yukata! I gave her some advice and she quickly learned it! Amazing isn't it? Not many Japanese people know how to fold a yukata, but a non-Japanese person knew more! I hope she remembers it!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Attaching the Collar on the Kimono
This is the most time-consuming and difficult part of sewing kimono. Oh, well, at least for me. Kimono consists of two parts of collars if it's an hitoe, which is a single layered kimono or yukata that is made of cotton and worn in summer, but formal kimono consists of three parts of them!
For now, I'm making hitoe. I've finished the first part of collar sewing. This part of collar is called "hon-eri," and the other part, which I've got to work on it soon, is called "tomo-eri."
Even pinning took a while because it didn't seem well. And finally, I finished sewing! But wait, I need to go through more hard parts to be finish the collars... Oops! I'll upload more photos later.
For now, I'm making hitoe. I've finished the first part of collar sewing. This part of collar is called "hon-eri," and the other part, which I've got to work on it soon, is called "tomo-eri."
Even pinning took a while because it didn't seem well. And finally, I finished sewing! But wait, I need to go through more hard parts to be finish the collars... Oops! I'll upload more photos later.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Playing with Needles
It's fun to make something without thinking anything serious. Do I use my brain or not? It doesn't always succeed but sometimes it turns out right! This time I played with fukuro-obi fabric, and it turned out like this.
I made a necklace!
Fun Fun Fun! Thanks for reading!
I made a necklace!
Fun Fun Fun! Thanks for reading!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Book Review
I met a great awesome book at the library yesterday. It is called Meisende tsukuru komono to skirts published from Seibundoshinkosha in 2010.
ISBN 978-4-416-31009-0
Basically, I don't want to remake anything from kimono except sold in pieces because I just love KIMONO as it is. If it's cut into pieces and made into something else, I usually feel sad. When I see anything made of kimono fabric, I think of the sewist, especially antique kimono. But there is an exception! If there are some spots on the kimono that are not removable, or you can't unsewn and resew to hide the spots, there is no way you can't wear it. You need to either throw it away or remake something.
But when I met this book, I wanted to buy antique kimono just to make things out of it! (what a shame on me!). Probably I'll go find some kimono that have too many spots or torns for remake things. Otherwise, I want to wear it as kimono!
If you are interested in handmade with kimono fabrics, why don't you get this book?
ISBN 978-4-416-31009-0
Basically, I don't want to remake anything from kimono except sold in pieces because I just love KIMONO as it is. If it's cut into pieces and made into something else, I usually feel sad. When I see anything made of kimono fabric, I think of the sewist, especially antique kimono. But there is an exception! If there are some spots on the kimono that are not removable, or you can't unsewn and resew to hide the spots, there is no way you can't wear it. You need to either throw it away or remake something.
But when I met this book, I wanted to buy antique kimono just to make things out of it! (what a shame on me!). Probably I'll go find some kimono that have too many spots or torns for remake things. Otherwise, I want to wear it as kimono!
If you are interested in handmade with kimono fabrics, why don't you get this book?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Hang Your Kimono On a Beautiful Sunny Day
Do you live in a humid area like Japan? If you've ever lived in Japan or visited there except in winter, I am sure you've felt the high humidity. The level of the humidity goes worse in June(a rainy season usually starts in June until Jul), and August is the worst. The high temp and the high humidity go together and make the air really sweaty!!
Anyway, we take out all the kimono out of the closet and hang them inside the house for a day sometime before June. The reason is that kimono will likely to have extra moisture in summer and that can damage your kimono. It can be mold!!! Ouch!!!
So, hang them NOT under the sun and let them breath fresh air! These are some of my kimono and yukata.
You are lucky if you live in a dry area!! (Should I move to AZ or CA? maybe...)
Anyway, we take out all the kimono out of the closet and hang them inside the house for a day sometime before June. The reason is that kimono will likely to have extra moisture in summer and that can damage your kimono. It can be mold!!! Ouch!!!
So, hang them NOT under the sun and let them breath fresh air! These are some of my kimono and yukata.
You are lucky if you live in a dry area!! (Should I move to AZ or CA? maybe...)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A Purse with Obi Fabric
I made a purse with one of the obi fabrics I bought the other day. Since my scanning technique was poor or the machine wasn't good, the photo on the post didn't appear well. Now, you can see it better here!
The frame is 9cm wide and chose the black obi fabric and polka dot fabric I had. I love how it looks like!! The fabric was used to be a fukuroobi that is often worn when you dress up such as a wedding, or a party. This type of obis are usually gorgeous.
Anyway, I got a piece of the fabric and made a purse! What do you think?
The frame is 9cm wide and chose the black obi fabric and polka dot fabric I had. I love how it looks like!! The fabric was used to be a fukuroobi that is often worn when you dress up such as a wedding, or a party. This type of obis are usually gorgeous.
Anyway, I got a piece of the fabric and made a purse! What do you think?
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Two Pieces of Obi Fabrics
I've found these two obi fabrics a while ago. The colors are totally contrastive but somehow I couldn't pick only one. What should I make? pouches? purses? hmmm... so many to think of.
By the way, I scanned the fabrics at home but it turned out slightly different from the original. Although photographing might have been better than scanning, I hope you can see the colors well.
Thanks for reading!!
By the way, I scanned the fabrics at home but it turned out slightly different from the original. Although photographing might have been better than scanning, I hope you can see the colors well.
Thanks for reading!!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Two Great Books on Kimono
I found two cool books on awesome kimonos at the library. Even if you don't read Japanese, the photos are eye-catching. So, you'll enjoy the contents a lot. What I like them is that those photos in the books aren't anything traditional or high class. I often get sick of kimono shops who try to sell me super expensive kimonos or keep calling me!(Actually one shop called me up in this morning...Ouch!)
Anyways, young women in these days tend to wear secondhand kimonos and cheap but cute kimonos. Antique ones are easy to get and also cute. Especially kimonos made in the Taisho era (1912-1926) and in the early Showa era (1926-1989) are pretty and beautiful.
In the book, Omoshiro Kimono Gara (written by Lunko Nagata) you can find some photos of kimonos from that eras. The most interesting photos of kimonos are that have helmet motifs, war planes, or anything supported WWII. No one would put on such kimonos nowadays though... This book, however, shows antique kimonos, amasing motifs of kimonos and more.
"Lunko のオモシロ着物柄" (Lunco no Omoshiro Kimonogara)
ISBN 4-12-390078-X C0077
On the other hand, this book written by Mamechiyo shows lots of photos of kimonos in the modern styles that mixed with international tastes or other motifs like polka dots and etc. The author Mamechiyo has stores in Tokyo. I'd love to visit some day soon! Anyways, you'll love this book too.
"豆千代の着物モダン"(Mamechiyo no Kimono Modan)
ISBN 4-12-390058-5
Anyways, young women in these days tend to wear secondhand kimonos and cheap but cute kimonos. Antique ones are easy to get and also cute. Especially kimonos made in the Taisho era (1912-1926) and in the early Showa era (1926-1989) are pretty and beautiful.
In the book, Omoshiro Kimono Gara (written by Lunko Nagata) you can find some photos of kimonos from that eras. The most interesting photos of kimonos are that have helmet motifs, war planes, or anything supported WWII. No one would put on such kimonos nowadays though... This book, however, shows antique kimonos, amasing motifs of kimonos and more.
"Lunko のオモシロ着物柄" (Lunco no Omoshiro Kimonogara)
ISBN 4-12-390078-X C0077
On the other hand, this book written by Mamechiyo shows lots of photos of kimonos in the modern styles that mixed with international tastes or other motifs like polka dots and etc. The author Mamechiyo has stores in Tokyo. I'd love to visit some day soon! Anyways, you'll love this book too.
"豆千代の着物モダン"(Mamechiyo no Kimono Modan)
ISBN 4-12-390058-5
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Susoyoke
Susoyoke is like a half slip worn under your kimono, and this particular susoyoke is given from my mom's friend. The lady in her 90's won't wear kimonos anymore, so she just gave it to me.
Regular susoyoke is just plain and doesn't have patterns or any prints on it. However, this is different. I guess it was made in the 20's or the 30's. It's very retro, isn't it?
Regular susoyoke is just plain and doesn't have patterns or any prints on it. However, this is different. I guess it was made in the 20's or the 30's. It's very retro, isn't it?
Sunday, February 13, 2011
How to Fix Holes on Your Kimono.
What will you do if you find some holes on your favorite kimonos??? Will you go crazy? dump them?
STOPPPP!!!
Here is a way to wear your kimono again.
These days people never fix your clothes if it's torn or there is a hole on it because clothing isn't that expensive. Long way back, people used to fix holes on socks and wear them again!
Kimono was too expensive to buy for the people in old times, so they fixed and wore them again. (Well, it is still expensive though...)
Here is the way.
This is a wool kimono. Wool is especially in danger of being eaten by bugs!!
1)
Prepare fabric that matches the kimono. It's perfect if you have the excess fabric when you order the kimono. When you buy a new kimono and have it sewn, they will give you the excess fabric if there is.
2)
Cut a piece a little bigger than the hole.
3)
Place your kimono wrong side up.
4)
Cover the hole with the small piece.
5)
Pin it.
(sorry, the direction is strange but I couldn't fix it...)
6)
Thread a needle. Use your silk needle and silk thread. Otherwise, your kimono may be damaged for the thicker needle and thread.
7)
Sew zigs and zags all over the piece with tiny stitches.
Finished.
If the holes are small, people won't notice them.
So, in this way, I think the Japanese people have been able to keep many traditions until today.
However the holes are on the left front, you might want to give up fixing it unless the holes are small. Left front, which is called uwamae is considered the most beautiful part of kimonos, and people for who are wearing and who see people in kimono pay the most attentions on it. If you are wearing, you try to make uwamae looks great, and people who see you judges the value of your kimono by looking at your uwamae.
Kimono designers create beautiful paintings and consider how the uwamae looks beautiful. When the sewists sew, they organize where to bring the most beautiful pattern on the uwamae.
So, if even if the holes are fixed but your uwamae doesn't look good, you don't want to wear it to a party. Just wear it for grocery shopping as a casual kimono!
I hope it makes sense to you!
STOPPPP!!!
Here is a way to wear your kimono again.
These days people never fix your clothes if it's torn or there is a hole on it because clothing isn't that expensive. Long way back, people used to fix holes on socks and wear them again!
Kimono was too expensive to buy for the people in old times, so they fixed and wore them again. (Well, it is still expensive though...)
Here is the way.
This is a wool kimono. Wool is especially in danger of being eaten by bugs!!
1)
Prepare fabric that matches the kimono. It's perfect if you have the excess fabric when you order the kimono. When you buy a new kimono and have it sewn, they will give you the excess fabric if there is.
2)
Cut a piece a little bigger than the hole.
3)
Place your kimono wrong side up.
4)
Cover the hole with the small piece.
5)
Pin it.
6)
Thread a needle. Use your silk needle and silk thread. Otherwise, your kimono may be damaged for the thicker needle and thread.
7)
Sew zigs and zags all over the piece with tiny stitches.
Finished.
If the holes are small, people won't notice them.
So, in this way, I think the Japanese people have been able to keep many traditions until today.
However the holes are on the left front, you might want to give up fixing it unless the holes are small. Left front, which is called uwamae is considered the most beautiful part of kimonos, and people for who are wearing and who see people in kimono pay the most attentions on it. If you are wearing, you try to make uwamae looks great, and people who see you judges the value of your kimono by looking at your uwamae.
Kimono designers create beautiful paintings and consider how the uwamae looks beautiful. When the sewists sew, they organize where to bring the most beautiful pattern on the uwamae.
So, if even if the holes are fixed but your uwamae doesn't look good, you don't want to wear it to a party. Just wear it for grocery shopping as a casual kimono!
I hope it makes sense to you!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sleeves are done
I've just finished the sleeves last night.
Well, in the other post I said about this kimono fabric that was from my grandma, and I've been working on it now. During the day, there is no time to spread all the kimono fabric, ruler, scissors, needles and etc because I need to prepare our dinner and do more housekeeping. Also once my daughter wakes up, I will have to put everything away before she touches them! So, I decided to work on the kimono only at night.
Speaking of this kimono, I already put the decorative stitches on the edges to show it's done. Also this type of stitch has another function that can keep the shape well.
After I finished them, I started the body part. Hopefully I can show you soon!
Well, in the other post I said about this kimono fabric that was from my grandma, and I've been working on it now. During the day, there is no time to spread all the kimono fabric, ruler, scissors, needles and etc because I need to prepare our dinner and do more housekeeping. Also once my daughter wakes up, I will have to put everything away before she touches them! So, I decided to work on the kimono only at night.
Speaking of this kimono, I already put the decorative stitches on the edges to show it's done. Also this type of stitch has another function that can keep the shape well.
After I finished them, I started the body part. Hopefully I can show you soon!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Kimono Coat, haori
This is called a "haori" in Japanese, which is a type of kimono coats. Well, I have to admit that this is not sewn by me. My mom sewed it when she was in her 20's or so for her daughters even though she wasn't married yet and had no kids at all! Luckily she had two daughters!
Anyway, what I want to say is how this was sewn well. As a professional kimono sewist, my mom sewed lots of lots of kimono until she retired. I always admire her. In Japanese culture, we find beauty and elegance in something small or somewhere you can't see. For example, it is common that you give money when you attend a wedding or a funeral. However, there are some rules to give money. You can use a handkerchief (called a "fukusa") to wrap the envelop but you need to follow a certain way; otherwise, you can be rude! Ouch!
Oh...it was hard to think of examples...anyway, in the field of kimono, a sewist makes decorative stitches to show that the kimono is brand-new.
Usually, unlike western clothes a collar on a kimono is really long and it comes to the bottom of the kimono. And in this photo, it shows the bottom and the photo below shows the both sides.
Can you believe you will take it out the decorative stitches before you put it on? It's too pretty to take it!
Anyway, what I want to say is how this was sewn well. As a professional kimono sewist, my mom sewed lots of lots of kimono until she retired. I always admire her. In Japanese culture, we find beauty and elegance in something small or somewhere you can't see. For example, it is common that you give money when you attend a wedding or a funeral. However, there are some rules to give money. You can use a handkerchief (called a "fukusa") to wrap the envelop but you need to follow a certain way; otherwise, you can be rude! Ouch!
Oh...it was hard to think of examples...anyway, in the field of kimono, a sewist makes decorative stitches to show that the kimono is brand-new.
Usually, unlike western clothes a collar on a kimono is really long and it comes to the bottom of the kimono. And in this photo, it shows the bottom and the photo below shows the both sides.
Can you believe you will take it out the decorative stitches before you put it on? It's too pretty to take it!
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