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Costume Project: Wisteria Fox Day 3

The project moves forward by inches. I managed to scrounge up enough energy to cut the paper pattern pieces that I need. And seriously, that's all I could do today. While the migraine has subsided, I spent a long time chatting with my parents as is my Sunday custom and made some taco pasta. 

And while I thought I would have all of Monday to do things, I managed to snag a massage appointment so part of my day will be taken up by that. 

Modifying a Pattern to my Design

What I ended up doing today was cut paper pattern pieces. Now I could have drafted my own kimono pattern. Honestly, it's not super complicated compared to some articles of clothing. A lot of Japanese clothing is a series of rectangles or angled shapes. However, I like it when the work is done for me. So I am blending two commercial kimono patterns that are technically meant for costumes. 

Highlighted the yardage I needed

I have mentioned before that I do feel a twinge of regret not making my own pattern, but I'm also not a masochist. Pattern making is not something I enjoy doing. Well, for clothes at least. I don't mind designing armor. That's easier to me for some reason. Moving on. 
Identifying the Obi and Sleeve pieces

So I am taking the obi and sleeve from the simplicity pattern, but the body of the kimono from the McCall's pattern. I am also mostly following the instructions for the McCall's Pattern. (They were a little better written and understandable.)

I've identified and cut out the corresponding pieces from each pattern.  The next step will be to lay out the pattern pieces on the fabric, then cut and label the pieces. The lining and outer fabric is the same so I need to make sure things don't get mixed up. I will be dyeing the outer fabric so that should help but I also had a bit of a thought that I might not have enough fabric to make the sleeves since I took my yardage count from the McCall's pattern which has a shorter sleeve. (Dang...may need to order more fabric.) But I'll see what the future holds...after my massage appointment. 
All the paper pieces in a box.
(2024 Notes: There are now better, more authentic patterns for making furisode than these patterns and blog posts about how to layout fabric so...the only thing I haven't found a great resource for was making a lined kimono.)

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