My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
-Deep inhale- AAAAAAAAAHHHH. Tonight I needed a distraction, so I finished the kinsai work on this piece. And let me tell you, as much as I've threatened to burn the house down with this project, I'm pretty goddamn pleased with myself right now. Here are some shots of the the restored kinsai work. Pictured: Not … Continue reading Update: Restoration In Progress–Velcro Dreams & Kinsai Wishes
Soft Blue Green Crepe Silk With Blooming Spider Mums And Fans Over Flowing Water. This is a restoration that I totally failed to keep any tabs on whatsoever. I bought it, cleaned it, sewed a few panels back together, and then hung it up here to take pictures without so much as documenting a single … Continue reading Taisho Irotomesode–
I didn't plan this post, but because I've been unexpectedly popular when it comes to the restoration details, here I am! I started this blog 31 days ago, and I've already had 1500 some-odd people come and check it out. I'm floored. Thank you. I can't believe people think this is that interesting, especially considering … Continue reading A Chat About Restoration Requests
Bright Red Silk With Blooming Spring Flowers And A Touch Of Gold. Sugar pop! Those were the words that flew out of my mouth with a cutesy little gasp when I first saw this piece. If you know me personally, and some of you do, then you know that my personal fashion aesthetic is...I don't … Continue reading Showa Haori–Sugar Pop!
There are a few risks--or maybe "hazards" is a better word--when buying vintage and antique kimono domestically. You are, frequently:A. buying from someone who really doesn't know what they have, and never knew how to care for itB. buying based off of really bad photosC. cannot anticipate how they will ship it.D. ALL OF THE … Continue reading Meiji Kuromontsuki–Hidden Decadence
Vinegar Edition. If you're reading this, you might have come here from the Global Kimono Facebook group, at which point: Hi! If not, I have been posting little pictures and updates here and there about my stain removal process. Just last night (Hahaha, who are we kidding, it was 5 in the morning for me, … Continue reading Tutorial–Vintage Kimono Stain Removal
I'm posting about this delightful vintage furisode early because it arrived to me early and I simply cannot contain myself. Pictured: CANNOT. BE. CONTAINED. I picked this kimono up knowing damn well that it was going to be a restoration, but I gotta admit, guys, I was just smitten when I saw her. SMITTEN. Her … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Velcro Dreams & Kinsai Wishes
Gentle Irises On Deep Purple Textured Silk 100 Years Old The finished piece. I actually very recently finished this old girl, considering how long I've had her. It came to me with a lot of damage--as a lot of kimonos that I buy domestically do. In fact, I bought it as an "oriental bathrobe." What … Continue reading Meiji Furisode–Soft Ayame & …shaving?
A Proud Peacock In Flight Over Crashing Waves & Snowy Mountains The finished piece. I often refer to this piece as my "crown jewel." And that's actually not because of its classy-AF colours and themes, it's because it took me two years to restore it. I also refer to this furisode as the piece that … Continue reading Taisho/Showa Furisode–The “Crown Jewel”
Colourful Phoenix On Soft Black Silk Adorned With Flowers And Fans This kimono almost broke me. When I say that it almost broke me, I mean my spirit/heart/mind/whatever. I don't remember what this was listed as when I bought it because a huge amount of frustration and RAGE has overtaken my memories of acquisition. This … Continue reading Taisho Furisode–A Lesson For Restoration, Or Adventures In Futility
Silk & Bones 