Rose’s Buttons

I’ll be listing some deconstructed silk kimono fabrics tomorrow and thought I’d share some things that I’ve learned as I carefully took these kimonos apart.

Most of the  traditional textiles of Japan were made primarily for personal attire.  The use as a kimono determined the construction of the weaves and the pattern of the fabric.  The use as a kimono also determined the width of the cloth itself. A single bolt, or “tan”, of cloth measures approximately 9-3/4 yards  (9 meters) in length and 12 inches (30 centimeters) in width. This is sufficient to make one kimono, whether for men or for women regardless of height and weight. Thus kimono fabrics as a rule were sold by the bolt and rarely by the yard.

The kimono pattern consists of four main strips of fabric. Two patterns form the panels covering the body and two panels for the sleeves. Additional smaller strips form the narrow front panel and collar. When carefully deconstructed, the kimono yields somewhat less fabric, as  the longer panels are partially split to form the neck.  Also if there are stains and frays, these are usually cut away.