I love the old black kimonos with bold, colorful designs across the hems.
They’re for married women. A little more discreet than an overall pattern.
When I find a good one, usable but no longer wearable. I’ll take it apart and remove any old or tattered bits.
Then the fun part, spending time with the usable pieces. Looking at the shapes and colors, finding the possibilities.
I’m never sure what I’ll end up with.
I lay them out and arrange and rearrange until I see new designs forming from the old.
An old kimono reborn.
A new trench coat for the ACC San Francisco Craft Show.
Oh my! I love this one so much! Another amazing work of art emerges from the talented hand of Ann Williamson.
This is just stunning.
Oops, i mean to add that i really love the gorgeous selection of jackets that you have turned out ~ just gorgeous ~ your seamstress skills are quite awesome!
Wow! Thank You!
I also have quite a stash of gorgeous kimono fabrics, (ok, ok, AND kimono, i admit it!). I have been mainly using them to create tiny little flowers, dolls, & many many bags of all sorts. But i love your gorgeous jackets! I have been thinking to branch out, & use them for quilting, but i am not sure about it, due to the wash status of the silks…you know, dry clean only, for the most part.
I have also been using the fabrics to create little girl’s dresses, men’s ties, & scarves. The fabrics are a bit addicting, eh? There will almost never be another quite like it, so you are tempted to get it based on that alone. (Well, i am, anyway.) 😀
At any rate, i have really enjoyed perusing your blog & seeing the gorgeous work you turn out. Such piecing talent!
By the way, not sure if you’ve heard of it, but there is also a delightful Japanese fabric called muslin that is actually a very thin & awesome wool, sometimes wool / silk blend. It is washable, but really needs an iron afterword. The muslin is usually in more floral & youthful prints, rather than the stately tomesode, furisode, houmongi, & etc. For instance, i have found quite a bit of it with the little kokeshi dolls on it, bright ume & sakura, etc. I have made some very fun diaper bags with the muslin.
Thank you Carol!
Yes, kimono silks are very addictive. So beautiful!
And fabulous to work with.