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I made this dress slowly over the past week, working on a little bit each day until it was finished.

The fabric was painstakingly unpicked from an old kimono I bought here (yes, yet another one!) and the pattern was the same as this dress– New Look #6457. When I bought the kimono, the man in the shop said that it dated from the late 1800s, which I thought was pretty cool, but the fabric is still very sturdy and and thick so maybe it wasn't worn very much. Inside the seams I found a lot of lint and also bits of loose tobacco. I like to think of this as my new 'workdress'- it's quite plain and utilitarian and I like the dark navy and grey pattern.

I hope you have a lovely weekend, dear readers.

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28 responses to “japanese dress”

  1. Margaret Oomen Avatar

    it looks really amazing on you

    Like

  2. Miss Smith Avatar

    Wow what a beautiful dress, you must be so proud that you made that! Even better that when you get bored you can sort through the seams and roll yourself a ciggie to pass the time, heh heh heh…

    Like

  3. louana Avatar

    love it! even more so with the great fabric story behind it. Happy weekend!

    Like

  4. bianca Avatar

    That fabric looks beautiful. It always seems so much more special to make something new from something old.

    Like

  5. Denise | Chez Danisse Avatar

    I love the concept of ‘workdress’. Casual doesn’t have to mean jeans.

    Like

  6. Angela Avatar

    Oh my goodness Mel, that dress is stunning, how wounderful that you found treasures in the seams! That’s so cool!

    Like

  7. nancy Avatar

    The fabric is lovely for it and I like the history of it. I can’t imagine the stories behind all these kimonos but I like to think about them and who may have worn them as I am sure you do too.

    Like

  8. Kylie Avatar

    That fabric is just divine! Your dress looks gorgeous 🙂 Kx

    Like

  9. Shari C. Avatar

    That is so pretty!!!

    Like

  10. Jill Wignall Avatar

    I love the tiny gathers

    Like

  11. Clare Avatar

    I love it. I also love the idea of a work dress! I’m going to make one. And I love the word utilitarian.
    x

    Like

  12. Dorien Avatar

    Very pretty! Now I’d like to have a workdress as well. And the weather to wear one. 🙂

    Like

  13. kate Avatar

    what a gorgeous depth of colour. I love the thought of discovering decades old tobacco and fluff: tiny links to the past.

    Like

  14. Neus Avatar

    This one is precious!!

    Like

  15. Nicole Avatar

    How lovely. I love that this beautiful fabric has been resurrected.

    Like

  16. Jennifer Lin Avatar
    Jennifer Lin

    Fags?? Sounds like it could have been a Japanese gentleman’s garment…how ironic – the garment has managed to switch genders two centuries later, like a reincarnation of sorts…. lovely dress in its new form…. ;o)

    Like

  17. Cyndi Avatar

    Looks beautiful!

    Like

  18. Angela Avatar

    Beautiful dress! Love the fabric too!

    Like

  19. susie Avatar
    susie

    What great fabric you have bought to life again, honstly
    beautiful

    Like

  20. MinaStickor Avatar

    Wow, its really beautiful!

    Like

  21. GRACIA AND LOUISE Avatar

    That looks like one beautiful and flattering dress to wear. Bravo, you!

    Like

  22. SmitoniusAndSonata Avatar

    Beautiful fabric ! I expect it feels wonderful.

    Like

  23. Sally Avatar
    Sally

    A beautiful dress. I like the simplicity of the line. And I love that you found lint and tobacco in the folds of the fabric.

    Like

  24. Suzan Avatar

    Hey Girl. I love the dress and want to touch the fabric. I made your lemon curd today. First time. I’m into it.

    Like

  25. KC Avatar

    I’m always amazed when you say that you found an old kimono and then turned it into something awesome. That just wouldn’t happen in Tucson, Arizona! The dress looks fabulous.

    Like

  26. Nichole Avatar

    Beautiful work!

    Like

  27. becky Avatar
    becky

    your dress has made me very happy! I have a few kimonos and kimono jacket, but at 12 inches wide, i thought that the fabric was too narrow to repurpose. Now i’ll have to think again. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Like

  28. michelle Avatar

    love your dress it’s gorgeous !!!

    Like

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