Sewing updates!

Another update I thought I'd share: SEWING!

At the Redlight vintage shop here in Seattle, I found a gorgeous ama michiyuki. Or rain coat for a kimono. They also had a bright paisley kappogi apron. Yep, I got them. I splurged a little on the jacket. They tend to jack their prices up a little, but I did manage to get the guy to go down 10%. One of the sleeves was coming un-sewn.

Project #1
Sew Kappogi-Chef's apron

I thought, now that I have an apron, I can use it as a template! I found an old sheet and got to work. I made a pattern using tracing paper and measured the whole thing out. It took a couple of hours, (I get distracted easily) but its done. I even added a little accent trim to the collar and the pocket.

Project #2

Remake a mofuku obi.

I found some videos on YouTube that show how to make those tsumami kanzashi out f fabric. Granted, I've never done this before, so they look a little weird, but I'm still pleased. I then sewed the obi into a Nagoya, and added the kanzashi to it. I embellished them with some scrap jewelry I had laying around.

I'm thinking I'll add some more fabric to the tesaki to give it more contrast.

Volunteering

I went to the Japanese Cultural and community center of Washington not too long ago for the first time. They just opened a shop called Hosekibako-jewel box. I. Was. Amazed! There is so much to see there, it took me an hour to go through it. It's a small space, but it is packed!

I found a couple of items to help me with kitsuke. I found an obi clip, an elastic koshihimo and a wool one, obijime, irotomesode, and fukusa.

Then I started wondering about volunteering. I signed up, and had my first day last Thursday! Of course, I wore a kimono. Couldn't help it. They took a picture and loaded it on their Facebook. Here's the link to their page.
Facebook

I will write more later, but that's about it for now.

Last minute coordination

I went to the mall a few days ago with my friend, and of course took the opportunity to dress in kimono. While it took me longer than usual, about 30 minutes, we both were pleased. She thought it quite amusing, my athletic dance in silk.

I tried carefully to match a fukuro obi to my blue/gray kimono, but decided I needed to hurry, so I grabbed a black geometrical Nagoya obi. Not thinking about the obiage and obijime, needless to say I didn't think it matched. While I still received some interesting comments; "are you Japanese?," "did you study Kitsuke?" and "oh! So 'chanto chanto!!!(proper)," I didn't feel quite put together.

It's one thing to grab a tee and jeans, then instead of boots adding heels, but I feel I need to be careful when I wear kimono. For me it's a personal matter of not wanting to offend, and also respecting nature, traditions, and not being a cosplayer.

Otherwise the day went well. After 4 hours of meandering and drinking coffee, I had a blast with her. When I got home I switched obi and took a picture. The Last 3 are what I wanted to wear...


Cheers!

Sparrow

Kimono and seasons

I wanted to write about the various kimono you would wear throughout the year, and I realized I need to do more research and make my own list. I have a general outline of coordination, and it works. I've done kitsuke lately and it's been quite cold outside.

I've been researching various sites pertaining to kimono; season, colors, TPO, etc. A couple sites have proven to be quite useful. One of them:

Ruby Kimono
http://greygoat.limewebs.com/

It has a pretty good list of my above queries, and a big list of images of motifs from various kimono. So if you think you have a chrysanthemum but are not sure if it's a daisy, the images are a priceless tool.

Thanks to the above site, this is what I decided to wear the other day.

Another site:

Kimono by season ~ Mansfield-Devine
http://www.mansfield-devine.com/Kimono-by-season.html

I like this blog. The way she categorizes her collection is charming. As well as her awesome image galleries. Slightly jealous of the amount she has acquired, quite extensive.

I'm thinking about making my own 72 season kimono calendar based on Liza Dalby's works and influences. Since I now have so many flowers and plants in my garden, it fun to use as a guide. Especially I the Northwest! Seattle has an interesting blooming season, and of course my favorite is fall.

Hope everyone has enjoyed, and I'd love to hear about any more websites that you have stumbled across!

Matane!
またね！

Sparrow

Living with green tea

I've decided to take my kitsuke a step further, and add tea ceremony! I've even started grinding my own using my mortar and pestle! It's a lot of fun, and quite relaxing as well. Now to find some friends to practice serving too. Pretty sure it won't be that hard.

Wander Lust

I really need to go on a vacation. Yes, I realize that I just moved into a brand new house, and at the same time, I really do feel like I want to get out of the country. I've been invited by several people to go to various places in Japan. One of which is the lovely Kyoto.

My wander lust started around 2008, and has yet to diminish. I know I can do it, but not sure if I would be able to go by myself. There is so much to do around the house; clean, unpack, watch the dog, take care of the Man.

Now for some day dreaming...

Kusatsu- Otaki No Yu
I've been here. It is absolutely AMAZING!

Asakusa- 2006

Asakusa- 2006 Always busy

Senjo Temple- 2006

Tsukuba Mirai- 2006 Cherry Blossom viewing!

Wandering around Tokyo at night- 2006

Kiyomizu Temple- I was so happy to have gone here. Peaceful

Moving

Lots of hustle and bustle as of late. Hurrying to pack everything and move in 2 days total. Had to pack up all my kimono last night. Sad state of affairs. I'm hoping to start a new project though. I have been a devout follower of this blog.

The Year In Kimono - 着物の一年


So much so, that I'm hoping to do something similar once I get moved in. I already wear them as much as possible. What I've also learned from her writing(Eco friendly), is that kimono do not get washed as much as regular clothing. Due to all the layers underneath, it stays relatively tidy. I just have to worry about keeping the outside clean. If I need to, I do have a couple non silk ones I can easily wash and get a bit dirty. But what a way to keep energy costs down in a new house! Right?

Well, here's the collection as it stands. I'm fine with the variety now, but I do wish I had more obi. They tend to extend the wearability of kimono and offer more coordinations.