New Full Skirt for the Holidays

How about something new for the coming holiday season? Or even better, for a wedding that takes place during the holiday season?

This one started with a gorgeous kimono in red and white with green and gold accents. It’s decorated with a design of ‘noshi’ ribbons bundled together and tied in the middle.

Originally, noshi were narrow pieces of abalone that had been cut into thin strips, beaten flat with a bamboo stick and dried. The word ‘noshi’ means expanding and flattening and because of that, the strips of abalone were considered an auspicious food that could prolong life and bring good fortune. Bundles of noshi were offered as a sacred food to the shinto gods.

Today noshi are made from paper or ribbon and used to decorate presents and gifts for festive occasions. You can see why. Wouldn’t you like a gift with beautiful ribbons tied and billowing out all over? They look so cool! The energy! You can see why this design became popular and has been used over and over again.

Below, the original kimono I used for the skirt with bundles of noshi between red puffy clouds.

I took the kimono apart and cut my pattern pieces, 16 trapezoid shapes. Some were cut in one piece, others pieced together for better visual flow.

Then the fun part, laying them out so they work with each other to both highlight the new shapes and directions as well as to honor the original design.

The finished skirt. What I love about this skirt design is how it moves. It’s quite full, but because the fabric is so soft and drapes so well, parts of the design are hidden. Then, as the wearer moves, walks and twirls, the skirt opens up and parts are revealed.

So pretty, I’m very happy with this one.