Wisteria Fox: Day 6

Today is a good day! Went out for sushi and hung out with a friend, then got home and cut out the second sleeve plus lining. And today I planned to dye the fabric. Here's how it went.

Dye Job

At first I was going to dye all the pieces separately then sew them together. But then I figured, the main body of the kimono might have a more consistent color if I sewed some pieces together. So I did.

Body is sewn the sleeves unattached.

Then I prepped my fabric in the bathroom getting things wet.

Hanging things to make it easier to dip.

Got my pot of dye heated up then put it in the bathtub.

Dunkin' pot.

I kept the fabric on the hangers and dipped the pieces in the pot. I used some wooden chopsticks to help push and stir things around. Then used the shower with cold water to rinse after the dips. Kept rinsing until the water ran clear again.

Post dye dunk.

The body of the kimono got a second dunk dye to make it darker at the bottom. Now they're drying.

Hanging out to dry.

I'll see how dry these get overnight, might use a hair dryer to speed things up. Once dry, I'll create a stencil for the flames for spray painting. Once those dry, I'll apply the fox to the sleeves. And then I can start on the lining and finish sewing the kimono.

After the kimono is constructed I'll work on the hand painting the flowers.

Fox Tail

The fox tail knitting is making progress.

1 ball of yarn.

Looks like a rabbit tail.

Eventually, I'll get to the belt.

And that's what I did today.

Side-Story: Cape Knitting

After like restarting a few times and trying different patterns, I adapted a few knitting patterns. So...figured it out!

I added short rows to a pattern.

First wedge.

I guess I have to make like 18 more wedges to complete the Rengoku cape. 😭Gotta tweak the color change things a bit but Yeah looking good so far!

Mini-Update:

The fabric is nearly dry so I'll definitely be able to paint tomorrow...but I'll also seriously need to iron things out first.

Ugh...bathroom lighting is terrible, but both the sleeves and kimono body are a tiny bit lighter than when they were wet. This is suppose to happen. I very much love how it looks.

Comments

Hakama Series - Hibakama (Scarlet Hakama)

The bright red hakama with a white kimono is a common sight in both anime and video game characters. Shrine maidens or Miko also wear this combination of colors when they work at Shinto shrines. Honestly, there is a LOT of history and cultural significance wrapped up in this one. Anime/Games: Inuyasha, Genshin Impact, Sailor Moon, So let's talk Design. Design Considerations Cultural Significance This is one I'd pay attention to if I was creating a character of my own. I assume that already created characters have had this research done and have taken their artistic license. Some of the research taught me a few things: The color is technically scarlet or vermillion, not "red". 🤷 Miko are not part of the Shinto clergy. Sometimes they are just seasonal workers. Generally, Miko are young women in their teens or early 20s. After a certain age, they wear different colors. This was based on Heian nobility colors and fashions. Color Like I said earlier, the ...

Hakama Series - Andon Bakama (Skirt Style)

Andon Bakama were hakama typically worn by women in an academic setting during the 1900s or so. Modern times, they are usually worn for formal occasions such as graduation. It is also the style that just looks nice with a kimono especially for those of us with Western hips the size of Texas. See examples in Anime/Games: Here Comes Miss Modern, Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, Sakura Wars. So let's get into how to make one. Tutorial style! Design Elements These are things to consider before you start. by Chihirohowe Skirt Length Traditionally this is worn just below the ankle if you are wearing flat sandals, geta, or zori. It is worn above the ankle for sneakers, boots, and heels. You can adjust how high on your waist you wear it if you are going to switch between the two. Colors Normally, these are a solid color, sometimes with embroidered floral patterns near the bottom. Red/Scarlet is uncommon outside of Miko. Patterned fabric is appropriate for this. Side ...

Hakama Series - Split Leg Hakama

This is the classic style that you likely think of when you hear the word "Hakama". Very wide-legged pleated trousers worn by swordsmen and warriors. Admittedly these are "modern" hakama. There are variations based on historical time period and social status. But these should suit most cases. So, lets go over how to make them! You will see examples of this in many games and Anime but some faves of mine include: Rurouni Kenshin, Bleach, Demon Slayer, XXXholic, Hell's Paradise and Genshin Impact. UPDATE 4/10/2024: I've redone all my instructions. Now that I've actually made a pair of hakama and found some more resources, I felt this needed updating. From Chihirohowe's Guide Design Elements Color For modern or fantasy character design, no limits to color! You can also use print fabric and add designs! Historically, these would be a solid color and often have a neutral color scheme (white, grey, black, brown). More colorful hakama were usually worn ...

Modesty's Costume Closet

Search This Blog