Duct tape reveals all

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".

Comments

[joyce]

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!

[Tricia Garrett]

Great to have you back. Beautiful fabrics. Melody's 80's pages took me right back. Don't remember the "fanny wrap" though!

[fiberchick]

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...

[cherry]

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!

[monicaq]

ooohhhh nice!!!

and I'm with you about the calendar thingy. Yes, the new year has just started. Makes sense.

[Linda Harre]

Glad to see you back! You have been missed:D

[susan]

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!

[shannon]

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.

[suzi finer]

from a fellow robist; great photos!
totally linking you ...
love.

[Lindsay]

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.