A very girly Saturday morning.

Some of you might remember the white and gold silk that was not enough to get a kariginu or suikan out of.  Well, I found the envelope bearing Simplicity Retro# 9221 and laid out the pieces. I have just enough of it to make a Regency gown if I make the sleeves out of a different fabric, because it was part of a kimono bolt.  If I were still a sweet young thing, I'd be daring and make it sleeveless, but I'm not.  Bodice pieces and skirt have been cut and the skirt panels have been assembled because yes, I am that fast with running stitch. I figure a pretty pale gold silk will do for the sleeves, neckline edging and possibly a sash.

Now, whether I can have it ready to wear for Peers' Pride and Prejudice ball next week remains to be seen. I'm a better seamstress than I was when I made the blue velvet Regency several years ago, but there's a metric buttload of pleats and gathers on this puppy.

(no subject)

Those who were around on Wednesday of Estrella saw me setting up camp in this outfit.

I was inspired to make these after bovil turned me onto an article about what the fashionable Japanese construction worker is wearing. Then again, back in the 80s, I took a pair of baggy, pleated front jeans and turned them into a very nice pair of riding breeches....



The fabric is a kasuri (ikat) recycled from a yukata given to me by a friend who is significantly smaller than I am. I selfishly preferred to make it into something for myself rather than pass it on.


I started with the hakama pattern on Sengokudaimyo.com cut to mid calf length, then used a pair of my jeans to pattern the kyahan (lower leg) section to a width I knew would fit me and pleated the hakama legs into it.

Nice link to a museum devoted to kasuri textiles:
http://home.e-catv.ne.jp/tour-ehime/kasuri.html

Since I wanted to be able to wear these with t-shirts and so forth, I closed up the side seams to the waist instead of leaving the traditional side vents open. I have a single waistband that ties in a small bow at the front and I have a fly flap that buttons to the inside of the waistband on the opposite side instead of a zipper or buttons - this preserves the loose hakama-like fit and look I wanted without showing "all the way to Okinawa." I wore them for the drive to Estrella War and during camp set up and they're quite comfy, though trying to drive in something with a very low crotch seam took a little adjusting to.