The One About Inori

I think I’m addicted to sewing because as what Donna said the previous post’s comments, it gives instant gratification as compared to knitting! (But it won’t replace knitting!!!)

Following a pattern from Habitual, I made this Kimono styled top for Sunshine.

Step 1: Draw template and cut out.

2: Crush it by mistake and throw in bin.

3: Wonder where the template went. Fished it out. Smooth it as flat as possible. -___-

The things I do… Never fail to amaze myself. *Rolls eyes*

Then, I for the first time in my life, I made bias binding from scratch!!!

Never underestimate this little innocent looking strip of fabric. My goodness… The time and effort that goes into making this!!!!!!

And because I wanted to save as much fabric as possible, I cut the fabric into a smaller length and therefore had to join the binding many times.

(Joining the binding pieces.)

Then I cut out the main fabric pieces and laid them out and pinned them into place.

I sewed the pieces together following the instructions on the pattern. My mum suggested that I use a hand stitch to tack/baste the pieces together instead of using pins so that I can concentrate on sewing straight than worry about getting the pins out in time. It did help a little. I still sew crooked. That’s why my seams pucker.

Then, I sewed on the bias binding onto the main piece.

And ta daaahhh!!!!!!!!!!! The finished product!

I decided to use the remaining bias binding to finish off the bottom hem.

Then I put the top on our little model and tried to take decent pictures of her in it. She wouldn’t stop walking around and refused to look into the camera!!!!!! Grrrrr.

I asked her to please look into the camera and she showed me her butt instead. -___-”

Will have to wash and iron it before she wears it out.

(No, it’s not washed yet. I just hung it there to take pictures since our model was so unwilling today.)

My skills are still shoddy and I need heaps of practice. It’s a good experience though. And I’m very happy with it. I did it in about 5 hours or less. So that’s a personal achievement.

Oh I must mention one thing about Kimono styled tops. I think I wrote about this before in the Kimono Jacket post that Kimonos are worn with the left side OVER the right side.

The only time the Japanese wear their Kimonos/ Yukatas right side over left is when they are dead and in a coffin, awaiting cremation/ burial.

These patterns may have come from Western countries and are ‘only inspired’ by Kimonos and/or Yukatas but because it is mimicking the Japanese style, I think the ‘rules’ should still apply. At least to me and my family anyway.

It’s also very easy to remember which side goes over which. Just think of “Left Over Rice” - Left Over Right.

Comments and criticism welcome!

Edited to add: Ohhh, Chinese New Year is just around the corner and this comes just in time! – The Chinese usually buy or sew new clothes for their kids and family before Chinese New Year and they will wear them from the first day of the New Year.

In olden times, folks were so poor that the only time they get new clothes is during the CNY period. The tradition is passed down and still widely practised today by many Chinese although we can now afford new clothes all year round.