finishing the year and starting the new one

it took awhile – but it’s finished

all hand stitched

Betsy is modeling – the front

and the back

there where a few small problems to solve

Western dressmaking techniques were helpful

when hand weaving fabric to make into clothing

I weave widths that don’t need cutting – that is how kimono lengths evolved

it eliminates unnecessary waste of precious fabric

I miscalculated the width and it was 3.5 inches too wide

the extra width gave me longer sleeves – which are very nice for winter wear

cutting it would mean losing the single colour panel at the underarm

children’s kimono that are handed down and remade

often have a pleat over the shoulder that is let out as the grow

I don’t plan to grow – hopefully

but I pleated the extra width

 short in the front, over the shoulder and half way down the back

it makes the hanten loose and swing-y

problem solved

and the not so good dye job on the silk lining

doesn’t look too bad

the collar band woven on a separate warp is a good contrast

preparing to start the new year

a linen warp ready for the loom

I’ve decided to continue the monthly challenge

a little smaller this time –  remember fabric books?

I’ve made a couple of paper samples

and with the help of Alisa Golden’s excellent book

January is on the way