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Kimono Project Report: Cat Cotton Kimono

 This is going to be the last planned kimono I'm making for this project. There are a few extra things on my to-do list and some things on my wish list too. 

Here's how the Wisteria Cat kimono went. 





So some things that went well: 

  • French Seams done well! Even on the sleeves!
  • Bless the walking foot!
  • Got the pattern on the fabric to be upright on front and back.
  • Collar went on smoothly!
  • Even hem!! OMG...finally!
Some things I wish went better: 
  • I had to make a seam on the shoulder line which is not authentic. :( I did it to make the motif on the pattern look better so I didn't have upside down cats on the back of the body and sleeves.
  • The sleeves are a bit short 
  • I rushed my cutting and it got sloppy making me cut a part I didn't mean to cut and having to fudge around my mistake. 

There's a bunch of little extra things I've been doing for these projects. Including kumihimo braiding! 
So far I've made: 
  • A kumihimo obijime


  • 3 kumihimo haori himo


  • Recreated the haori 
  • himo for the male kimono ensemble
  • Finally hand basted the han eri to the juban. 
  • Purchased a Kyo Fukuro Obi and a Tsuksage Silk Kimono! I have an Awase!
So here's what still needs doing for the kimono project: 
  • Sew the Tabi. I have cat fabric and white fabric. I may make some black tabi too. 
  • Sew the black hakama trousers
  • Sew the Nagabaori (female haori)
Some of the extra do-dads that I'm making or planning are: 
  • Even more haori himo. Kumihimo is SO fun. I'm addicted to making beaded ones. 
  • Kanzashi hair ornaments and kanzashi flower obidome
  • Braiding a couple more obijime
  • Making my own Zori and Setta
However, I'm realizing that the Multi-Culture Mass is fast approaching. I've cut and sewn parts of my polish vest. I need to embroider the Pegasus design with my machine! (Which I'm still nervous about doing.) I don't think I'll have time to hand embroider more on the kimono like I wanted to, but I may do that eventually. 

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