Why is duct tape like "The Force"? It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
I got back from Canada and hit the ground running. I've been very busy getting organized for the year ahead. (For me the year still runs from September to August, I think it always will.) I have lots of things to post about over the next few weeks.
My current obsession has been getting my wardrobe to work for me. I felt really shlumpy last year. I put weight back on and was less fit. My clothes didn't fit or co-ordinate in anyway. I was constantly enjoined in choruses of friends complaining that they have lots of clothes to wear but none of them fit. I'm know I'm not alone here.
I really enjoyed it back in May when Melody was rethinking her wardrobe (and here) on her blog. I don't know if she ever got round to making up the clothes though. We know where good intentions go.
I've been having a love affair with the kimono flea market I mentioned in my last post. Particularly the Haori pages. Haori are lightweight (usually silk) coats to be worn over kimonos. They aren't meant to close in the front. 
The silk is woven in panels of about 36 cm (14 inches) but there are about 10 metres length in a Haori because the silk always folds back on itself to provide a lining. There is also a contrasting silk lining that runs across the back (see below for an example).
One Haori provides more than enough fabric for a skirt, dress, jacket or blouse. The fabrics are beautiful and in excellent condition. So I've been unpicking the Haori's and cleaning the fabric and then re-cutting and sewing them into garments. Here is a dress I made from a silk chirimen (a kind of crepe) to wear over an underskirt.
This mannequin is thinner than me and she doesn't fill out the bust as nicely.
Anyway I've got lots more to tell you but that's enough to reintroduce my existence after my long break.
Today's inspiration: The Sewing Workshop patterns.
Likes: I'm looking forward to making this "8th Avenue skirt".
Your fabrics are fabulous. Love the blue and gold dress. The most amazing thing I have learned about all kimonos is that they are made only from rectangles. They used to pick apart old cotton ones to use for diapers. Trendy babies over there!
Posted by: joyce | September 29, 2007 at 12:59 PM
Great to have you back. Beautiful fabrics. Melody's 80's pages took me right back. Don't remember the "fanny wrap" though!
Posted by: Tricia Garrett | September 29, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Wow... Parallel interests across the pond. Check out the bundled kimonos at www.yokodana.com and patterns at www.hotpatterns.com where the fit is superb. Sorry we missed you this summer but happy to see you blogging such beautiful images...
Posted by: fiberchick | September 29, 2007 at 06:16 PM
Welcome back - you were missed!
Love the kimonos - I still have one my father bought for me, complete with Obi, in 1970. It is very fragile, just simple cotton, but a treasure.
So know the schlumpy feeling and I am currently doing a serious declutter, whilst planning a small but select winter wardrobe!
Posted by: cherry | September 30, 2007 at 06:24 PM
ooohhhh nice!!!
and I'm with you about the calendar thingy. Yes, the new year has just started. Makes sense.
Posted by: monicaq | September 30, 2007 at 09:20 PM
Glad to see you back! You have been missed:D
Posted by: Linda Harre | October 01, 2007 at 12:06 AM
missed you loads missey. so nice to see you back! schlumpy is a very appropriate word right now. why is that? that should be more of a mid january feeling for me. i love what you have done with those kimonos! really really nice. exotic yet, comfortable!
Posted by: susan | October 02, 2007 at 04:24 AM
that 8th ave skirt! I so wanted a skirt like that back in '87, in black duck, really stiff so as to capture the cut. With masive velcro closure...
A girl at the club had one, and she was the coolest...
The book, Klader! is a really great book for clothing inspiration/liberation. (If you don't mind or can see through the 80's styling.) The author is fearless, and I like that in a wardrobe.
Posted by: shannon | October 03, 2007 at 01:38 AM
from a fellow robist; great photos!
totally linking you ...
love.
Posted by: suzi finer | October 03, 2007 at 04:42 PM
Glad to see / read that your back! Missed reading of your adventures. Love the 8th Ave skirt. I can certainly identify with the frumpy feeling. My goal is to make a few new sweaters that accentuate what little curves I have. Looking forward to reading more.
Posted by: Lindsay | October 04, 2007 at 01:57 AM
that dress is beautiful, i love it! I too have the same problem, none of my clothes fit me anymore and if i am lucky enough to find something i really like ( which i rarely do unless its vintage) it doesnt look as good on me as i hoped because my waist seems to be growing by the minute. i have just begun doing some sit ups. cant say i will stick with it but you never know.
Posted by: kelly | October 04, 2007 at 10:51 PM
It's so good to have you back. You're always such a source of inspiration! I love that overdress, it's gorgeous.
Posted by: emmms | October 05, 2007 at 07:15 AM
Wow . . . I love the tunic dress you created . . . it so reminds me of Poiret - I just got the catalog from the Met's summer exhibit of his designs. So inspiring! And then you offer these wonderful resources for getting vintage materials! You rock!
-Bridget
Posted by: bansheegrrll | October 06, 2007 at 11:29 PM
Beautiful, love the colours and your ideas for transformation. I don't think I'd have the nerve to tear them apart. Why not do a course on it - maybe at The Battery? Still trying to schedule time to spend there. Glad you're back : )
Posted by: Joanie | October 07, 2007 at 11:29 PM
That dress is gorgeus!
Posted by: Heather | October 12, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Oh! These are really beautiful. Love to see them on the real model.
Cheers,
helle
Posted by: helle | October 23, 2007 at 08:49 PM
Such a nice and gorgeous dress is that. very attractive, even the style was great. looking for your next post,
-altheya-
Posted by: wholesale clothing | June 03, 2009 at 09:09 AM