Kimonos

Before we went to Japan I was hoping to see a Kimono being worn. I wasn't disappointed. The Japanese ladies wear Kimonos in their daily routine. I saw them in the museum, walking on the streets, walking in the park and or just shopping. Of course I couldn't take a photo of them straight off. The photos I took are either from the back or from a distance. I did enjoy seeing that Kimonos are still being worn in everyday life.

Talking about Kimonos. A few years ago I gave my friends at the Flying Geese Quilters in Bathurst some challenges with a Japanese theme. I couldn't really give them challenges without me making one as well. So here is the little Kimono quilt I made.

This is a double sided Kimono; on one side I used my hand dyed fabric and stitched over with Sashiko stitches.

On the reverse I used the fabric from a vintage Kimono and it was the same fabric I gave everyone in their kits. The rule for the challenge was that they could make whatever they wished using this fabric and added fabric of their choice.

And here are some photos I took in Japan. They are not the best photos but I couldn't get close to them to take clearer ones. I had to snap whenever possible.

This sweet couple were visiting Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa the same day we did. They were walking hand in hand, how romantic!

I took this photo in Kyoto on a Sunday afternoon when we went to the Kyoto Handicraft center. It was a lovely afternoon and these ladies must have been on the way to a tea party!

In the cooler weather they wear another layer over the Kimono and you can see in this photo the lady on the right had a scarf around her neck as well. It was cold that day in Tokyo and it snowed later that day.

Another lady with a coat over her Kimono. I wish I could see what her Kimono looked like. This photo was taken outside Kyoto train station. What I like best about Kimonos is the fabric from vintage Kimonos. I've found some of them, but they were quite expensive. I think one has to live in the place to be able to find where things are. I wish I lived in Japan for a while...maybe in the next life!

I must tell you that I'm in the process of getting the photos from Japan uploaded to Flickr photo. I have created links for you to get to. I have made two links on my side bar, they lead to the same photos, but somehow show in a different format. Only a third of the photos are done so far.