UPDATE on Retro Kimono

So I may have made this kimono back in February (click on this link to see details)

but I have finally gotten round to wearing it!

Between the weather and just being lazy I have been put off wearing kimono but today (29 May) I wore a kimono.  Why you may ask?  Well I am part of this event on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/events/476950189043292/

It is organised by someone in Japan and it is basically like Kimono de Jack.  Giving people from all over the an excuse to wear kimono.

So my kimono outfit is as follow.

Kimono - the one above
Obi - Pale blue nagoya obi with red camellia 
Obiage - Golden yellow with hexagon woven into the fabric
Obijime - Graduated yellow and cream (one of my latest purchase)

 

Black Rose Tsumami Kanzashi by Kitty Kanzashi

Kanzashi rose with a difference!

---Kanzashi Description---

* Colour - Black (customizable)
* Size - 6cm (depth) x 17cm (height) x 18cm (wide)
* Mount - hairband
* Suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles
* Suitable for vegans!

They may not exist naturally in nature but that is the wonder of the tsumami kanzashi technique. You can bring to life black roses without a second thought and here they are!  This design came about because of my black lolita dress that I have made which is sitting on my Miffy (the mannequin) as we speak.

I was wondering what sort of hair accessory would be perfect for this dress and after a lot of thought, my mind always went back to roses!  But not just ordinary red roses but black ones.

So this would be perfect for a kuro, gothic or old school lolita who wants to add a touch of floral into their outfit or maybe a bride who wants to be different.  In fact you could just wear it as a floral accessory for everyday wear if you like!

---Other information---

This kanzashi will be custom made for you and normally take 2 days to make. If my work schedule prevents me from fulfilling this promise then I will make a shop announcement at the top of my etsy shop.

All of my kanzashi designs can be customised to your requirements so if you would like this kanzashi in a different colour then please do not hestitate to contact me. I am always happy to help you with your request.

If you are interested then you can either order it by sending an email to kittykanzashi@gmail.com or visit my etsy store.

Ivory Bridal Kanzashi Hairband, Wedding Hair Flower, Bridal Hair Accessories

A wonderful bridal kanzashi for someone who wants something different for their special day

--- Kanzashi Description ---

* Colour - ivory (alternative colours available please convo for details)
* Size - 8cm (wide) by 11cm (height) by 3cm (depth)
* Mount - metal hairband
* Suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles
* Suitable for vegan
* Made to order

This kanzashi has been designed so you can position the flowers as high or as low as you wish on your hairband. There by allowing you to place it anywhere you desire in your wedding hairdo.

Available now here!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/150806289/ivory-bridal-kanzashi-hairband-wedding?ref=shop_home_active

Making a Dress - A Simple Regency Day/Evening Dress

I have been pondering about making a regency dress for ages!

It is a perfect dress for the summer and since I am due to go to Austen and the Abbey event in July, I better get practicing.

Inspiration

There are loads of inspiration for this.  I just have to watch Pride and Prejudice and I am just overwhelmed with the desire.

However I do want to aim for something like Jane's dress here.

But not as low cut and with some embellishment on the edge but I am undecided.

Fabric

For the fabric I decided to ask my good friend, Laura who has made regency dresses before and asked her what would be an appropriate cotton fabric to buy.  Of course muslin would be fantastic but that is just too loosely woven for me to use and it is see through which is not good for me and the british summer.

So she suggested cotton lawn and thus I brought 10 metres of cotton lawn.  Yes I brought 10 metres of it.

Do not worry, I am not planning on using all the fabric to make one dress.  Some of it is for another project which will be report next month.

Design Process

To save time and sanity I decided to buy a pattern and the one that I was recommended (again by Laura) was the Sense and Sensibility "Regency Gown Pattern".

I brought the e-pattern so I spent a good couple of hours piecing it all together but it was worth it and now all I have to do is trace the size I want.

With every new pattern, one must always make a toile to make sure the fit is at least okay.

Overall the fit was actually quite good but there are tiny things that will need to change.

1. Gather more fabric at the top of the sleeve.
2. Extend the bodice by 5cm so it sits under my bust.
3. Generally gather the material more evenly.

So as you can see a regency gown is actually a simple garment to make.

Construction

So I have the fabric and the corrections have been made to the pattern.  Shall we begin?

 I am glad I have a huge floor to roll this fabric out!

 So far to good the bodice is done and the sleeves are lovely!

And we are done!  Here is the front and side.

And finally the back.  I do love the gathered back of this dress.  I will have to recreate that look on a different dress.  It just looks so elegant.

Making a Dress - Funky Kimono

So February was a kimono month and March is another one!

Inspiration

I have always love the trendy and funky look of Yumi Yamamoto kimono.  They feel modern and fresh and so.........cute ^_^

Yumi Yamamoto

However I am on a budget and maybe one day I will be able to buy one of her original kimono but first I must start lower.  So what sort of printed fabric should I use?

Fabric

What about this?

I brought it from a ebay seller called Retro Riot shop but you have to be quick because she only sells fabric that she no longer needs.

Anyway this is perfect!  A printed cotton fabric which means it will be perfect for a yukaka.

Design Process

Like the last kimono I followed the standard measurements.  The one thing that I did change was the length of the sleeve.  I decided to make them around 75cm long because I did not want to waste fabric and also I don't have many kimono with long sleeves.

Construction

Same as previous post expect as I am using a western fabric I had to cut it into 36cm strips which is strangely tricky.  However with some careful folding and then some even more careful cutting I did it without too much error.

So after 3 days of sewing, yes 3 days I can be very slow!  It is done.

Lots and lots of water melon!

 Rather then the standard 50cm length sleeves that I normally make, I decided to give this kimono 70cm ones.

And here is the collar.  It looks like I have set it further back then normal but I followed the normal measurements.  Well if I accidentally set it back further then normal at least I will not have to worry about the collar creeping forward.

Kimono Kanzashi Fabric Flower - Set of 2 Hairclip - Ivory and Red

Kanzashi hairclips made from vintage kimono are always a treat for me to make.

 ---Kanzashi Description---

* One of a kind 
* Colour - ivory and red
* Size - 6cm (wide) by 6cm (height) by 2.5cm (depth)
* Mount - 3cm alligator clip
* Suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles

Made from two different pieces of vintage kimono, these kanzashi can be worn separately for everyday or as a pair for a more dramatic effect. Either way, it is up to you.

---Other information---

If you have questions about this kanzashi, please feel free to contact me, I am happy help you.

Like this kanzashi then why not visit the rest of my store http://www.etsy.com/shop/kittykanzashi.

I accept custom orders for all sort of accessories (like fascinators, hairbands, brooches, etc), please convo me for requests.

Kanzashi Fabric Flower - Set of 2 Hairclip - Green

 A pair of lovely green kanzashi hairclips that will bring you closer to nature.

---Kanzashi Description---

* One of a kind
* Colour - green
* Size - 5cm (wide) by 3cm (height) by 1cm (depth)
* Mount - 3cm alligator clip
* Suitable for all hairtypes and hairstyles

These dainty little hairclips are perfect for any age so long as you love flowers.

---Other information---

If you have questions about this kanzashi, please feel free to contact me, I am happy help you.

Like this kanzashi then why not visit the rest of my store http://www.etsy.com/shop/kittykanzashi 

 I accept custom orders for all sort of accessories (like fascinators, hairbands, brooches, etc), please convo me for requests