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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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Guest Post: The Best Vintage Sewing Patterns: Free PDF Downloads

July 2, 2012 By Chie

Today, I have Lisa Arbury guest posting. Lisa  is a freelance fashion writer from London. When she approached me with a guest post idea for Vivat Veritas blog, I asked her if she could write something about free vintage sewing patterns and she came up with a great post with resources. I hope you enjoy! Here is Lisa:


The Best Vintage Sewing Patterns: Free PDF Downloads

Many people now are turning to handicrafts and making their own clothes in an attempt to not only save money but to relearn skills that their Grandmothers and Mothers had in their own childhoods but have been sadly forgotten.

Not only that, but with strong interest in vintage glamour and fashion, brought on in part by the success of films such as “The Artist” last year and the forthcoming excitement of the remake of “The Great Gatsby” more and more of us want to make ourselves something that is just “that little bit different” and unlike anything that can be found in department stores and boutiques.

There are a wealth of sewing sites out there, but many charge a fortune for patterns or even to join. Here is a simple list of a few of the best sites out there and what you can expect from them, with accompanying pictures so you can see the types of pattern available. What are you waiting for! Needle and cotton at the ready and happy sewing!

Sewing.org

Sewing.org has some lovely PDFs, all you need to do is log onto the main site and then on the left hand side click on the “Fashion Sewing” link. You will have to search a little to find the PDF files, the patterns available are all marked with a little “PDF” sign. However, there are lots downloadable files for patterns to make vintage inspired shirts, skirts, jackets, shawls, pyjamas and accessories such as these:

❤ Simplicity Paris Pajamas
❤ Embroidered Boots tutorial
❤ Bordered Jacket tutorial
❤ No Pattern Sundress, Skirt and Beach Bag tutorial

BurdaStyle.com

Burdastyle is a great, very professional looking site and offers free downloads, including a “Pattern Of The Day” which, as you would expect changes every single day. Here are some other examples of lovely vintage clothes which are free PDFs available right now. At the present moment there are around two hundred and seventy four patterns there all waiting to be downloaded and made, and some of the patterns are free!

❤ Circle skit and jacket
❤ Sleeveless flared top

Vavavoomvintage

This is a cute blog run by Brittany Sherman, a mom of two and a vintage lover. While there aren’t any PDFs for download, her fashion is all vintage inspired and comes with extensive instructions that you can print and plenty of pictures. It covers a variety of eras and styles and there truly is something for everyone, from novice to experienced sewers alike. Well worth a visit. It’s a nice, fun, relaxing site too. Very well set out and has obviously been created by someone who has a lot of love for her subject. It’s the perfect site for a leisurely browse on the laptop while you recline on your sectional sofas and decide what you’re going to make next.

Modern Sewing Patterns

This site looks a little plain by comparison to the others, there is a lack of photographs (though there are some good illustrations) which is rather a shame as there are some great PDFs for download including coats and vintage dresses, such as these:

❤ Shorts with patch pockets
❤ Blouse with chiffon sleeves
❤ Sundress with shaped relieve

Hopefully this will give you in the inspiration you need to start planning and making all your own wonderful vintage clothes!


Lisa Arbury is a freelance fashion writer from London. As a bit of a retro-chick herself she’s very excited to see the comeback of traditional styles and fashions.

Interested in free pattern? Download scallop waist skirt pattern for free here!

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Shop Update: Back Cut Out Tops

July 1, 2012 By Chie

Top: Puppy print back cut out loose top, S.  (Etsy here)
Bottom: Grey and white chevron stripes back cut out loose top, S-M.  (Etsy here)

I updated my shop this week, please check out here for Bigcartel and here for Etsy 🙂

Isn’t this puppy print fabric cute? I found this the other day in Nippori. I always get so excited whenever I find some quirky prints. The bottom stripe top is cut on bias. It’s so light weight and comfortable. These tops make a great beach cover-ups. They go well with cut-off shorts and flip flops.

On a side note….I have been receiving emails recently requesting more Japanaese content. I am going to try and throw some more Japanese on the site to fill that request 🙂

Shopに二つ新しいアイテムの追加しました♪ こちら(bigcartel)かこちら(Etsy)をご覧ください。両方ともサイトは英語ですが、日本語アシスタントが必要な場合はvivatveritasshop@gmail.comにメールをいただけると幸いです :)

背中の部分がぱっくり開いたゆるいトップスを作りました。犬柄の布は、この間日暮里問屋街で見つけて、即連れて帰りました。ちょっと変な動物柄の布とか、大好き☆

水着の上にさらっと、どうぞ☆

Mommy’s Diary 55: Foster Care Related Blogs

June 29, 2012 By Chie

I came across with Wendy’s fashion blog, Wendy’s lookbook via Song of Style’s instagram. I immediately fell in love with her blog. Her style is classy, and she is a talented crafter, and showcased her handmade faux leather clutches. I went on to click on “about” page, and found out that she was raised in foster families.

After that, the thought dawned on me that there must be some blogs which talk about adoptions and foster cares. I googled “I was raised in foster care”, and stumbled upon this blog, by a girl named LT. I started reading her blog and could not stop. I kept reading it for hours. She was rescued when she was seven from abusive biological father and mother who ran away, and after that she went foster family to foster family, 12 in total. Her blog is honest, and I can feel the outbreak of her pain. She longs to have a mother. If you have time and interest, I’d recommend you read her blog.

P.S. The pictures are unrelated to the post..random photos of Kiko at the park this week.

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これを着て、カフェに行ったら絶対目立ちそう😆☕ アップサイクルで生まれた、新しいファッションの形。 これを着て、カフェに行ったら絶対目立ちそう😆☕

アップサイクルで生まれた、新しいファッションの形。
コーヒー豆袋のジャケット × 着物リメイクのセットアップ。

一枚一枚、生地の柄合わせから縫製まで、すべて手で仕上げています🪡🧚
実はこの着物、裏地にも別布を仕込んでいて、羽織ると初めて見える色があるんです♡

ヴィンテージ素材に眠っていたストーリーを、
もう一度誰かの日常に届けたくて作りました。

If you wore this to a café, you'd definitely stand out 😆☕

A new form of fashion, born from upcycling. A coffee bean sack jacket × a kimono-remake set-up.

Every single piece is finished entirely by hand, from matching the fabric patterns to the sewing itself 🪡🧚 Actually, this kimono has a different fabric worked into the lining too — there's a color that only reveals itself once you put it on ♡

I wanted to give the stories sleeping in vintage materials a chance to become part of someone's everyday life again.

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Model
@emorylove33

Jewelry
@viviange

Make up
@elanoramua

#アップサイクルファッション #着物リメイク #サステナブルファッション
実はこのお洋服、今回のショーに入れるか自分では迷っていました。結構前に作った作品だったので。でもヘレ 実はこのお洋服、今回のショーに入れるか自分では迷っていました。結構前に作った作品だったので。でもヘレンと話す中で、これも一緒に見せようと決めました。

ヘレンと3週間近く一緒に準備を進める中で、コレクションの作り方、見る人を楽しませる魅せ方、ルック全体の組み立て方など、本当にたくさんのことを学びました。自分一人だったらこのルックスを入れる決断はしなかったと思う。誰かと一緒に作ることで見えてくるものがあるんだなと、改めて実感しました。
ヘレン、ありがとう♡

Honestly, I wasn't sure whether to include this piece in this show. It was something I'd made a while back. But talking it through with Helen, we decided to show it together after all.

Working with Helen for almost three weeks to prepare for the show, I learned so much — how to build a collection, how to style looks that engage an audience, how to put together a look as a whole. I don't think I would have made the decision to include this piece if I'd been on my own. Creating something together with someone else really opens your eyes to things you wouldn't see alone.

thank you Helen @designerhelen♡

Model @izumi_nishida

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#KimonoUpcycled #SustainableFashion #DesignerCollab #着物リメイク #ものづくり
お客様からお預かりした大切な帯。 大切に保管されていた帯ほど、実は「日常でどう使えばいいかわからな お客様からお預かりした大切な帯。

大切に保管されていた帯ほど、実は「日常でどう使えばいいかわからない」という声をよく伺います。だからこそ、その帯の物語を読み解きながら、現代の暮らしに馴染むデザインに仕立て直すことを意識してます😌

パッと見にはわからないけれど、実は使いやすさを追求した仕掛けが隠れています。

ショルダーを付ければ、両手が空くアクティブなスタイルにも対応👜

あなたの思い出の帯も、こんな風に日常の相棒にしてみませんか?

A precious obi entrusted to me by a client.

I often hear people say they aren't sure how to incorporate their cherished obis into their daily lives. That is exactly why I focus on reading the story woven into the fabric and reimagining it into a design that fits modern living😌

There are hidden details that make this bag truly functional, even if you can't see them at first glance. By attaching the shoulder strap, it becomes the perfect hands-free bag for an active lifestyle👜

#upcycledfashion #着物リメイク #obibag #remake #sustainablestyle
飛行機と電車の中で作ったジャケットです✈️🚆 去年の夏の3週間、アメリカとヨーロッパを旅しながら、 飛行機と電車の中で作ったジャケットです✈️🚆

去年の夏の3週間、アメリカとヨーロッパを旅しながら、座席でひたすらチクチク🪡着物の裏地にキルト芯を挟んで、フリーハンドで刺し子して、日本に帰ってから染めました。

This jacket was made on airplanes and trains✈️🚆

Over three weeks last summer, traveling through the US and Europe, I stitched away in my seat🪡 
Kimono lining sandwiched with quilt batting, sashiko stitched freehand, then dyed after I got back to Japan.

Model
@kana_nakar

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#kimonoupcycle #sashiko #sustainablefashion #ReleasedReimagined
#刺し子
お客様から届いたステキな帯を、オーダーメイドのリュックにアップサイクルしました✂️ 吉祥文様が織り お客様から届いたステキな帯を、オーダーメイドのリュックにアップサイクルしました✂️

吉祥文様が織り込まれた錦の帯地は、黒地に金・白・紫…と、見る角度によって表情が変わる贅沢な一品。その美しさをそのまま活かしながら、毎日持ち歩きたくなる使いやすいリュックに仕立てました。内ポケット付きで、実用性もしっかり。

受注制作についてはプロフィールのリンクよりお問い合わせください💌

A client’s treasured obi has found a new life as a custom-made backpack✂️

The brocade fabric, woven with auspicious Japanese motifs, shifts from gold to white to violet depending on the light, a truly luxurious textile. I tried to preserve its beauty while crafting it into a backpack you’d actually want to carry every day. Complete with interior pockets for real-world practicality.

For custom orders, visit the link in our profile 💌

#KimonoUpcycle #SlowFashionJapan #WearableHeritage #着物リメイク #帯リメイク
着物リメイクをするとき、どうしても捨てられてしまうことの多い裏地。 薄手のシルクの手触り、もったい 着物リメイクをするとき、どうしても捨てられてしまうことの多い裏地。

薄手のシルクの手触り、もったいなくてサマーワンピースに生まれ変わらせました。

そのままでは物足りないのでアーティストの Riko Monma @rikoshurimonmaさんに染め直しをお願いしたら、一気に息を吹き返しました✨

数年前に作ったこの一着、今回の @designerhelен とのイベントで、コレクションに加えることにしました。

Helenからは色の組み合わせについていろいろアドバイスをもらって、自分だけでは絶対に辿り着けなかったような配色を試してみたり。準備の時間も、とても楽しかった😌

The lining of a kimono — often discarded when the fabric is remade into something new.
That soft, lightweight silk felt too good to let go, so I turned it into a summer dress. It needed something more, so I asked artist Riko Monma to dye it for me — and suddenly it came alive again.

I made this piece a few years ago, but for the recent event with @designerhelena, I decided to bring it into the collection. Helen gave me so much guidance on color — combinations I never would have arrived at on my own. The whole preparation process was just really, really fun😌

Model
@bethenny.x

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#着物リメイク #キモノアップサイクル #KimonoUpcycle #SustainableFashionTokyo #ReleasedReimagined
生地をよく見ると、お姫様が👸 金彩の御所車、菊、そしてひっそりと佇む姫。 裾に宿ったまま、また別 生地をよく見ると、お姫様が👸

金彩の御所車、菊、そしてひっそりと佇む姫。 
裾に宿ったまま、また別の人生を歩みだしました♡

Released. Reimagined. — Helen Castillo @designerhelen x Vivat Veritas 

Look closely at the fabric — there’s a princess👸

A gilded royal carriage, chrysanthemums, and a maiden standing quietly in the shadows. Still living in the hem, she steps into another life♡

Model
@_kasumi.y

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

Nails
@ms_muse_nail

#着物リメイク #御所解 #KimonoRemake #TokyoFashion #ReleasedReimagined
@allpress_espresso のコーヒーバッグで作りました☕️ Cafés do Bras @allpress_espresso のコーヒーバッグで作りました☕️

Cafés do Brasil 豆を運んでいた頃の文字が、そのままジャケットの背中に残っています。
着物だけでなく、面白い来歴のある生地をもっと取り入れていきたいと思っています✂️
素材:コーヒーバッグ × 着物シルク

Made from a coffee sack sourced from @allpress_espresso.

Cafés do Brasil — the stamp from its days carrying beans stays right there on the back. 

Kimono fabric has always been at the heart of what I do, but I want to bring in more materials with a history — things that have traveled, carried weight, meant something before they became a garment.

Materials: coffee sack × kimono silk

Photographer 
@nothing_special_88 

Model
@emorylove33

Jewelry
@viviange

Hair 
@angh0
@sho_kanaida
@iam__little__boy

Make up
@glam_by_jyoti

#upcycledfashion #sustainablestyle #coffeesack #wearablestories #ReleasedReimagined
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