Thursday, August 27, 2015

A Year of Japanese Kimono Motifs



This video was inspired by the month-to-month motif translation project I did for this blog!

Make a cup of tea or coffee, get comfortable, and relax for a six-minute journey through a year's worth of seasonal Japanese kimono and obi motifs, set to the classic piece "Waltz of the Flowers". 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Japanese Kimono and Obi Sewing Details: Part 2


Here is Part 2, the last part, of my video on kimono and obi sewing details, meant to give a quick close up look at general Japanese kimono pieces that most sewers don’t have a chance to look at in real life.
In Part 2 I show authentic examples of men’s and women’s obi, accessories, tabi (socks) and even footwear just to round it all out. Part 1 was men and women’s kimono, looking at sleeves, collars, and seams.
(Apologies for the noise of the AC, but it was too hot out to try to film with it off!)

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Video - Kimono and Obi Sewing Details: Part 1

This week's video is up, a popular reader/home sewer/costumer request for a closer look at the details of a kimono and related accessories. Part 1 covers kimono, and Part 2 next week will be obi and accessories. Please pardon our cats playing in the background!


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Part 2 of my video for costumers and cosplayers is up! I include sewing advice and general tips for wearing your costume well. Have a great weekend and thanks for all your support on the newly revamped channel!

How To Sew Kimono: Construction Details for Sleeves and Body

This is an old tutorial I made a long time ago, but I don't think I ever added it here. Feel free to download it and use it as a reference sheet, and good luck with your sewing!

Important note: When I say the exact middle of the blue seam, I mean that in a horizontal sense: if you drew a line down your shoulder into your arm, the midpoint of that blue seam will be on that invisible line (as seen in the reference photo). Not that the seam itself should sit on top of your shoulder.

Also, the top inside corners of panels 5 and 6, the front overlap pieces, will get folded in and eaten up by the collar.