Ok, almost 6 months ago when Chubbs was born, I sewed this:

Yukatas are a thinner, more casual version of a Kimono, usually worn in warmer weather and when Japanese attend spring or summer festivals (Omatsuri).
I waited so long before letting Sunshine wear this because it only just begun to heat up. Temperatures are hovering about 25 degrees (Celsius) now in the daytime and yes, I’m COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEAT. COME BACK MY WINTER!!!! Winter is always over too soon! I wish I lived in Canada/ Greenland/ Iceland/ Antartica. Lucky the nights are still nice and cold at 6 to 10 degrees.

My mum was here for a month when Chubbs was born and she was the one who figured out the Yukata pattern from a Japanese Kimono pattern book.
We did not follow the exact instructions (as we didn’t really understand the Japanese words….) and also used my Yukata (which my Japanese friend gave to me when Nad and I got married) as a template.
My mum, the professional seamstress, taught me to take Sunshine’s measurements and we sewed the Yukata to fit.
And it still fits her now which means she hasn’t grown much for 5 months.

I only finished sewing the Obi (sash) 2 nights ago. I cheated a little a lot. It wasn’t long enough and I had run out of fabric so I attached an extension haphazardly, causing the whole Obi to twist at the end.
But never mind! You won’t be able to see it because it’s tied into a bow anyway!!!!! Shhh!

I learned to tie a Cho Cho Musubi (Butterfly Obi) and managed to tie it on a very very wriggly little girl. She wore the Yukata to Church yesterday and SO MANY people came up to her to exclaim how cute the outfit was. I would then beam and say, “I MADE IT MYSELF!” and their eyelids would flutter in amazement. Hehehe.
What? I can’t help it! Hahahaha!
The Yukata was such a hit that some church members were still asking me about it today and some asked if I sewed the dress Sunshine was wearing today. (No)
I’m thinking of letting her wear it again tomorrow to Church.

On some knitterly news, a very nice lady named Elena from Ravelry had offered to translate my Honeycomb Scarf pattern into Russian!
If you read Russian, you can find the translated pattern here:
http://moreknitsinrussian.blogspot.com/2009/10/honeycomb-scarf.html
I can’t believe so many people like this scarf I created and it certainly has spurred me on to continue designing other knitwear.
I’ve finished knitting the first ‘draft’ of the sweater I was designing and have written up the smaller as well as the bigger versions on paper. I’m test knitting the smallest size right now and will be asking for a test knitter very soon.
Here’s a sneak preview:

Watch this space!




October 8th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I love sunshine’s outfit…excellent sewing skills
October 8th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hi Deb!!! I have the same face as you do!
Sunshine is the sweetest girl and she’s so smiley! Love the yukata and I’m so proud of you
I can’t stop looking at the 2 beautiful sweeties Chubbs and Sunshine!
October 8th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
omgz sunshine looks so cute in the yukata!! <3
October 8th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
U R A genius, Jolene!!…love the yukata on lil’ sunshine….she is sooo adorable!! … great work, and looking forward to see more of your awesome handiwork! 2 thumbs up:0)
October 9th, 2009 at 9:40 am
oh my goodness!! that kimono is sooooo cute!! can you make one for me too?? hahahahahaha
October 9th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Sunshine looks even more ‘sunshine’ in her yukata! Great job, Jolene!
October 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
hahaha…Chubbs, you still thinking what’s your Mother’s Choice?
October 11th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I saw your post on Craftster, and this kimono is so adorable! Very nice sewing. And your little ones — just precious and beautiful!
(Connie / barbolot on Craftster)
October 11th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
This is a lovely dress! I want one adult sized!
)
October 11th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Oh she looks sooo sweet in her Kimono!! Love the bow as well!
I’m so happy for you Jolene that your pattern is now being translated into Russian….how exciting!!
October 11th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Your daughter looks adorable in her Yukata. And the colors are so pretty.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
That yukata is just gorgeous (as is your daughter)!! I love the colours.
October 18th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
What a lovely little kimono for a lovely little girl!!
December 18th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Can you please teach us all how to tie the beautiful butterfly bow? It is so pretty! I cannot find instructions anywhere.
Thank you!