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Custom Wedding Dress & Kimono Upcycled Clothes | オーダーメイドウェディングドレス&着物ドレス

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/ blogs / every day life / Scrap heap project

Scrap heap project

March 25, 2011 By Chie

Look at this mess. This is my fabric stash in my closet. sigh…
I don’t know what happened. I thought I cleaned it up pretty nicely when I moved into my current place last August. I love fabric. As I wrote in the guest blog post over at the cupcake goddess, visiting fabric shops became a hobby in and of itself. I always buy way too much, but in my defense, the majority of left overs  come from pieces bought for custom orders.  The reason being that I don’t like to worry about not having enough fabric to fill the order, and so I often end up with much more than I need.

I am going to be on maternity leave soon. I’m excited and nervous at the same time about this. I’m excited for the obvious reasons – to have some vacation time and time to spend with the baby.  I’m nervous because I am a bit of workaholic. I get jittery if I’m not busy. So, as soon as I get out of the hospital and am able to get up and move again, I want to start a project called “Scrap Heap”.   For this project I will make something  from this fabric mess. I plan to make one item a day, Monday through Friday for a month. I think this will give me some schedule so I won’t be sitting in front of my TV wearing pajamas all day long. Have any of you done something like this?  Has anyone found a post pregnancy, maternity leave hobby?

During my leave sabattical, I also am thinking of learning how to create patterns on computer. Does anyone know any good software for that?

By the way, thank you so much for those who commented on my last post – I feel so relieved that I don’t have to pinch my own nipples! I will leave my nipples out for the time being:)

P.S. Check out my interview post over at Willow Would..thank you Amber! 

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Comments

  1. hana.k says

    March 25, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    It would be awesome if you could make time to make something every day! I'd love to see what you come up with 🙂
    But I have no idea how some moms do more than just eat nurse sleep after baby arrives… I'm still in that cycle!

  2. Emily says

    March 25, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    Can't wait to see what your fabric heap turns into (and for your leave and your baby to come!).

    I didn't get much done right after my baby was born b/c she cried all the time and I got mastitis twice. I hope your transition is much, much smoother. 🙂

    I started sewing after my little girl was born. Before that, I'd only touched a sewing machine three times.

  3. Emily says

    March 25, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    PS great interview! I'm sure your daughter will be gorgeous! Can't wait to meet her. I'm also really excited to see your nursing friendly wardrobe. Mine was a bunch of fitted tees- acceptable but not super fashionable!

  4. Kaitlyn Dreyling says

    March 25, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Hey Chie!

    I've never had a baby…but I think you'll have your hands full with little Kiko! I would totally suggest making a quilt for her out of all your scraps! Since it's for a baby it doesn't have to be that big, and a lot of baby quilts are very simple pattern.

    I know you don't quilt, but just a thought…

    <3

  5. Emeraldflare says

    March 25, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    I'm so excited for you Chie! you're funny already plannig a project for after giving birth lol!

  6. Av says

    March 26, 2011 at 12:11 am

    Chie,

    I can't believe that your are close to your due date! It has been an amazing journey watching you step into motherhood… and to see how you dive straight into it with such ease, like a ballerina to dancing.

    I started sewing when I was pregnant and made a little blanket for my son. It would be interesting to see what you do with your scraps.

    Have fun and enjoy motherhood with little Kiko!!!

  7. Hambergoosa says

    March 26, 2011 at 1:58 am

    what an awesome idea, we're currently going through my husbands grandma's huge sewing room and it's mind boggling trying to figure out what I'm gonna do with all that stuff, and let me know when you start making patterns, totally will buy them!

  8. petiterepublic says

    March 26, 2011 at 6:12 am

    hehehe, i thought you are suppose to sleep when baby sleeps after birth!! though you seem like one energetic mommy!!! 😀 cant wait to see your baby!

    oh those smaller scraps are PERFECT for baby clothing! 😀

  9. Paunnet says

    March 26, 2011 at 12:36 pm

    what a great project! I'm looking forward to it!

  10. Claire (aka Seemane) says

    March 26, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Re: software Threads magazine has done some reviews:

    http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/6111/pattern-drafting-software

    http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/5060/the-ease-factor-in-pattern-drafting-software

    http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00152.asp

  11. Ai says

    March 26, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    exciting!

  12. yaga says

    March 28, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    What a great idea, I'd definetely love to see what you come up with to turn that heap into little pieces of great! ;o)
    love
    yaga

  13. Jodie says

    March 28, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    Would love to see what you do with your scrap heap. I'd probably set some loose goals during the sabbatical, but leave them open and flexible.

    Please let us know if you end up experimenting with drafting software. Would you be using it for yourself or to sell patterns?

  14. LoveMakesTheGirl says

    March 28, 2011 at 8:40 pm

    I look forward to seeing what you do with your scraps. I have a mini heap of my own, so maybe I'll be inspired to do something with them!

    And I don't know if you pay attention to these, but I gave you the Kreativ Blogger Award on my blog 🙂 You definitely deserve it!

  15. vivatveritas says

    March 29, 2011 at 2:35 am

    >kaitlyn

    haha you with the quilting! id love to try, but i never have patience for it… btw, can i make it with different type of fabrics, or does it have to be all cotton?

  16. vivatveritas says

    March 29, 2011 at 9:26 am

    > Emeraldflare
    i know, i must be insane! lol

    > Av
    aw thank you av! some of the scraps are pretty big, maybe i have enough to make some clothes from them. excited to go through those left overs!!

    > Hambergoosa im sure i will be posting about making patterns here on my blog! its pretty new to me, although i always make patterns with drafting papers, i've never worked on a software or anything. so it should be interesting!

    >petiterepublic i heard! this whole thing is new to me, so im not sure what i will be like with a little one.. 🙂

  17. vivatveritas says

    March 29, 2011 at 9:29 am

    >Claire (aka Seemane)
    hi claire, those are great! thank you so much for sending me the links! i will certainly check them out.

    >Jodie
    sure, im sure i will be posting about my experiment with pattern software here.
    im thinking of making them available for readers here, so maybe we can all do sew-alongs? i have not come up with specific ideas yet, but if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

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Something I've been building since 2008 — taking k Something I've been building since 2008 — taking kimono fabric, fabric that already holds someone's memory, and giving it a new life.

Last Saturday, I got to share that with someone very special.

@designerhelen is a designer from New York who first reached out to me through my little sewing lesson account. When we started talking, I realized we were asking the exact same question: how do you take something with a past, and carry it forward?

We met in person here in Tokyo last December. That conversation became Released. Reimagined.
Two designers. Two cities. One shared belief — that beautiful things deserve a second life.

None of this would have been possible without our incredible team:

👗 Models: @emorylove33 @naka_kanar @bethenny.x @izumi_nishida @yui78_02 @aino.yamada03 @_kasumi.y @sienna.christinaaa

💅 Nails: @ms_muse_nail — gorgeous handmade nail designs 
💍 Jewelry: @viviange — pieces specially designed to coordinate with each piece
✂️ Hair: @angh0 @sho_kanaida @iam__little__boy — next level editorial 
💄 Makeup: @glam_by_jyoti — 8 models, flawlessly done 
📸 Photography: @nothing_special_88 — can't wait for you all to see his shots 
🎯 Model Coordinator: @naka_kanar — styling schedules, rehearsals, walkthrough, everything

Thank you to everyone who came🤍

Photos by @robertorivera.mx

2008年から、ずっと作り続けてきたもの——誰かの記憶を宿した着物の生地を手にとり、新しい命を吹き込むこと。

先週の土曜日、その想いをとても大切な人と一緒に分かち合うことができました。

@designerhelen はニューヨークを拠点とするデザイナー。最初に連絡をくれたのは、私の小さなお裁縫レッスンのアカウントを通じてでした。話し始めてすぐに、私たちは同じ問いを抱えていると。過去を持つものを、どうやって未来へ連れていくか。

昨年12月、東京で初めて直接会いました。その会話が、このショーになりました。

Released. Reimagined. ふたりのデザイナー。ふたつの都市。ひとつの共通した信念——美しいものには、もう一度輝く機会がある✨

#releasedreimangined #tokyofashionshow #harajuku #japanfashionshow projectrunwa
この会場を見つけるまで、けっこう歩き回りました。原宿竹下口から少し路地に入ったところ。前面ガラス張り この会場を見つけるまで、けっこう歩き回りました。原宿竹下口から少し路地に入ったところ。前面ガラス張りで光がたっぷり入って、一目見て「ここだ」と思いました🌱

入口すぐの受付エリアには @brownie_shots のポップアップ、中央スペースはランウェイ会場になります。VIP席も準備中です✨

イベントまであと1週間を切りました。当日、いいお天気になりますように☀️

It took quite a bit of wandering to find this venue. Tucked just off a quiet side street from Harajuku’s Takeshita Exit — full glass frontage, light pouring in. The moment I stepped inside, I knew🌱

Right at the entrance, @brownie_shots will be running a pop-up☕︎ The central space becomes our runway. VIP seating going in now.

Less than one week to go. Fingers crossed for sunshine ☀️

#Harajuku #FashionShow #KimonoUpcycling #SustainableFashion #TokyoEvents
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5/30のファッションショー、席付きVIPチケットをご予約いただいた方は、こちらの帯をリメイクしたオリジナルポーチをプレゼント🎁 

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どの柄が届くかは当日までのお楽しみ🤫💕

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詳細はプロフィールリンクをチェック🔗

【VIP Exclusive ✨】
A little sneak peek at the special gift for our VIP ticket holders🎁

For the May 30th fashion show, all VIP guests will receive this original pouch made from upcycled Kimono Obi.

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日中は汗ばむくらいなのに、
夕方になるとふっと涼しくなる🌬️
この季節のそのギャップが、なんか好き♡

深みのある金茶とテラコッタ。
春の光に当てると、
秋色が美しく見える気がします✨

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a silk haori is just right.

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ざっくりとした夏のの素材感に、
白レースをひとすじ沿わせて。

甘すぎず、でも可愛くありたい日のための一枚。

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生地の質感に触れて次は何になりたいか問いかけます。
着る人に寄り添い、物語を紡ぐ一着になれば嬉しいです💐

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MUA @erieri_makeup 

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それらが現代に息づくファッションへと生まれ変わりました👗

孔雀の羽の細部まで描かれた繊細な染め、帯の複雑な織り目。
一針一針に込められた伝統の技を、今の時代にふさわしい形で受け継ぎます🪡

世代を超えて受け継がれる物語を、あなたらしく着こなして🧚

These garments are more than just fashion; they are stories preserved. From the detailed dyeing of the peacock's feathers to the intricate weave of the obi, we honor the original artisans by giving their work a new life.

Wear a piece of history and continue its journey✈️

Model @ptiite_shana
Photographer @nihonnokaidan

#VintageKimono #ObiUpcycle #JapaneseStyle #EthicalFashion #handmadewithlove
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