I fell in love with the kimono when I first went to Japan 3 years ago and have been wearing it since then. But of course it is not enough and I now make them. Here are the first ones which I offered to my family for Christmas last year. More are coming!
African fabric kimono
More sophisticated in black and red.
Lotus flower kimono
For Reverse Garbage Junkie Couture exhibition in Brisbane (September 2010 – Australia Queensland) I have realized this Reverse Yogi Kimono (sleeping kimono) made entirely of recycled denim (jeans and skirts). The recycling icon has been painted on after many unsuccessful bleaching and discharging. The characteristics that distinguish yogi (kimono-shaped bedding) from the standard kimono are an extra back panel, wider sleeves, and cotton stuffing. My is not stuffed of course. After a couple of trips to Japan I developped a passion for kimonos. Making and wearing kimonos. Kimonos are the simplest garment to make yet the most time consuming as most of the seams are made by hand (if you follow the traditional way).
I have also been looking at how kimonos used to be made centuries ago. Strangely Yogi (sleeping Kimono) looked like the one I have made of recycled jeans! For many years I have been a fervent adept of recycling things at home that is why the idea came up of designing kimonos made of recycled materiel. When I found out about Reverse Garbage Junkie Couture exhibition the idea became reality!
Reversed Kimono back
Recycling icon
Another Kimono made of the same African fabric from Zimbabwe but in green this time.
African Fabric Kimono
MORE ABOUT KIMONO
Here are some info about Japanese clothes in general and Kimonos in particular. I have found very interesting sources in 2 books that I bought on Amazon.com on how to make Kimono. One is called “Make your Own Japanese Clothes” from John Marshall and the other is “Making Kimono and Japanese Clothes” from Jenni Dobson. They are both very helpful books for those who want to learn how to make kimonos. But what helped me even more to teach myself how to, is that I completely pulled apart a Yukata (summer kimono) before putting it back together. So I could understand and see the process of hand stitching. I would recommend that exercise to anyone who wish learn the art of kimono making.
Firstly, I find the kimono being a very environment friendly garment as all traditional Japanese garments are designed for minimal cutting or waste of the fabric while achieving sophisticated and graceful lines. The width of modern-day fabric produced in Japan for sewing traditional clothing is a standard of 14.5″ wide. This narrow width necessitates a center back seam in all garments (except those for children) as well as front opening. That means that 2 strip of narrow fabric are joined to form the back of the garment and the other ends of the strips are brought over the shoulders to form the front panels. The rectangular pattern pieces are assembled and the garment is complete.
Another appeal of traditional Japanese clothing is the loose fit. It is one size fits all. The difference in sizing being a gender difference. So there are only 3 sizes, woman, man and children kimono. The most familiar form of kimono is called “kosode” (small sleeves) as opposed to “furisode” (literally swinging sleeves, flowing sleeves, sometime to floor length) worn by young women as a tool of flirtation. After marriage those sleeves had to be cut off short. As women grew older, sleeves were worn shorter.
The kimono that I make should be named yukata as they are unlined and using modern, cotton based fabric.
My collection is getting bigger with this new addition made of cettified organic cotton twill from http://www.organicfabriconline.com.au/
"Janette" Kimono with matching obi belt
"Janette" kimono back