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Post by Leanne on May 1, 2002 15:07:20 GMT -5
Hi im Leanne and I just joined the site and I think the Kimonos and other clothing are beautiful, I was wondering wether there is anyone on this board who makes or knows anyone who makes kimono's and obi's for free? i would love one of my own but the ones on the internet are too expensive because i dont get that much allowance off my parents! I live in the UK and I have never seen them on sale over here so I was hoping that there would be someone that could make me one if i sent my measurements and address so could you please contact me if you could help me from :-*Leanne
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akihito89
Full Member
Be Free! Wear Kimonos!
Posts: 107
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Post by akihito89 on May 2, 2002 6:36:00 GMT -5
Making kimonos is something I've wanted to to do since high school. I wouldn't be happy though unless I made an accurate kimono. There's patterns online. I'm tired and hald-dead right now, but when I find or remember the addresses, I'll post them here for your delight.
C-ya
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Post by Kou Hiko on May 2, 2002 23:57:49 GMT -5
There are people on this board who do make kimono (myself included) but to find someone to make you one for free is going to be hard. I for one, make my kimono and kimono accessories out of neccecity or want and would be unwilling to give any up. I do give kimono dressing lessons for free, but I live in America and that would be difficult with you living in the UK. But in another time and place I would love to give you lessons or dressing kimono. (on a side note if anyone new here lives in Washington state, I give free kimono dressing lessons. I'm going to start advertising more to get more students, and if it gets too overwhelming I will have to start charging people a small fee.)
If you know how to sew, it would be wonderful. Kimono don't come in sizes (or so everyone thinks) but there are bigger and smaller size kimono -- I own a few myself. I even have a yukata fitted for a sumo wrestler. If you do give your measurements and you can sew or know someone who sews, I could measure out each of the panels of a kimono and tell you how to put it together (well, I can try). Kimono are very simple and don't need a pattern to make one. It is easiest to make a kimono, though, if you have a live example. If you decide to make a kimono, buy a thing of fabric 14 feet long. American bolts of fabric are generally wide enough to make a kimono.
My best advise, for anyone looking to get a first kimono on a budget, is to look in thrift stores, usually in the nightgown or costume sections and at antique stores. I get all of my polyester kimono and yukata at thrift stores and bought my two best kimono and an obi at antique stores. You may also find them at estate sales or flee markets or auctions.
But I've rambled enough. Good luck.
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Post by fraise on May 3, 2002 4:18:22 GMT -5
I'm a new kimono-maker - I made a yukata (out of cotton and unlined) not long ago. It's not difficult, although I did make the collar wrong - it's a bit too wide and too close to my neck, plus it's at the wrong angle I used mainly these two sites: www.marquise.de/ethno/japan/kimonopat.shtmlwww.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/5187/kimono.htmlThe second gives measurement details. I should add that I'm an experienced seamstress, but it really only requires basic skills and an ability to make mistakes without going nuts You don't even need a sewing machine, as the traditional way is to sew it by hand - takes longer, but it's better for the fabric. If you want to make a silk kimono, I'd say definitely hand sew it. A sewing machine can mangle silk beyond repair. How about that... I just did a web search and found this page, which looks good too: luxnova.home.mindspring.com/samuraigame/yukata.htmlIt's definitely not a traditional pattern though. I've been looking everywhere for a good, free traditional pattern without success, so ended up buying a well-known book on making kimono.
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