Skip to main content

Kimono Project: Women's Hitoe Kimono Planner

 Two of the kimono I'm making are female tomosode or a semi-formal kimonos. They will both have similar steps in terms of construction and not include anything extra like embroidery or a haori. However, they are made with different fabrics which will affect the sewing process. 

Gothic Rose

Pattern/Instructions 

Other References



Measurements

  • Hip Circumference: 102cm (40.5") 
  • Mid-back to wrist (Yuki): 66cm (26")
  • Waist Circumference: 30"
  • Height (Mitake): 160 cm (62")

Materials

  • Fabric: Crepe de Chine, Polyester Damask, Satin 
  • Needle: Microtex/Sharp 70, Universal 90/14
  • Thread: 100% Polyester Fine (black), All Purpose (black)
Techniques/Methods
My Plans
  1. Gather my materials and set up my machine with the Walking Foot
  2. Follow the basic instructions for making a kimono mixing the pattern instructions with Billy's videos. I will try to use French seams. 
  3. Use my wide hem foot for the rolled hems.
  4. Attach the collar using the machine. Insert reinforcement for the back collar and some mikazuki for the edges. 
  5. Fold down the collar and blind stitch it down probably by hand, but maybe with top stitching. 
  6. Attach the CYA panel made from black broadcloth.
  7. Set up my machine for the Obi using a regular foot but using the seam guide. 
  8. Sew my obi pieces together to get the length. 
  9. Iron in the stabilizer.
  10. Continue to sew the obi like the video instructs.  

Kitsuke Kit
  • Nagajuban
  • korin himo
  • Datejime
  • Towels for padding
  • Kimono bra
  • Eri shin 
  • obi ita 
  • obi age
  • obijime
  • tabi
  • geta

Pink Rose

Pattern/Instructions

Same as Gothic Rose

Other References

Same as Gothic Rose

Measurements

Same as Gothic Rose

Materials

  • Fabric: Polyester Dupioni Pink, Purple Polyester Broadcloth
  • Needle: Universal 80/12
  • Thread: All Purpose white and Purple
Techniques/Methods
  • French Seams/Pinked 
  • Blind Hem
My Production Plans 
  1. Gather materials and set up machine with regular sewing foot. 
  2. Use french seams for the major seams. 
  3. Narrow serge the sleeve openings and fold over for a serged seam. 
  4. Use wide hem foot for the hems
  5. Attach collar with back of the neck reinforced. Sew down on machine. 
  6. Create stencils and paint on the flowers
  7. Set up machine for the obi. 
  8. Iron in the stabilizer
  9. Sew the obi according to pattern instructions. 

Kitsuke Kit
  • Nagajuban
  • Erishin
  • Pregnancy Padding
  • Datejime
  • korin himo
  • white tabi
  • Wooden Geta
  • Obi Ita
  • Obi Age
  • Obijime
  • Wig? 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Costume Fabric Cheat Sheet: How to Pick Fabric for your Costume

 In the previous post , I laid out how to describe different aspects of fabric when trying to find a good fabric for your costume. This post will go over ways to apply those terms and actually pick out a fabric for your costume. I will attempt to teach by examples.  4 Avenues of Research Cheat! I mean...look at other cosplays. You can often find images of photoshoots which make for better references than illustrations. If you are lucky, the costume maker may have posted a journal about how they made their costume or at least list the materials they used.  Check for Suggestions in Sewing Patterns Sewing patterns will list suggested fabrics to use for the costume. Pop those terms into a search engine and see the results.  Historical, Cultural, or Real Life Examples With a search engine or books, you can find out about how clothes were made back in the day or what materials are used around the world. You can also check the tags on your clothes to see what it's made of.  Narrow down to

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 color is ve

Costume Design: Guiding Principles

Part of designing costumes is finding a way to pick from many solutions. Limiting these choices can be the art of design.  I have some of my own "Guiding Principles" or Design Principles when it comes to costume design. Some of these constraints are based on non-mutable factors. (Or currently difficult to change.) The fun ones are a bit on the arbitrary side. These are self-imposed limitations for the costume that as a designer I decide to apply to any given costume.  The point of these principles is to help you make a final decision if you are paralyzed by many choices. I may get hung up on some pretty silly things, so at the very least, this helps me move forward and kind of imply that I had a plan all along.  Immutable Design Principles We might run into some touchy subjects here but whatever, here we go! Immutable principles are either constraints your life situation has you in at any given time or core beliefs about what you wear. This can mean things like religious beli