The past few weeks, I have been continuing to research for my project. I have been looking at traditional Japanese ways of dyeing and folding fabric and trying to think of ways to incorporate these techniques into my garments. I have been looking at the art of tie dyeing, which in Japan is called Shibori (different from shibari). The method I used for my first attempt is called Arashi. It involves tying the fabric in little pleats around a cylindrical pole and painting the dye on to the fabric. 

I baked my fabric in the oven to set, but traditionally it is steamed, which gives the lines not died in the fabric a black appearance. I am intending to attempt this and also the other tie-dying techniques such as pleating, meander and mandala.

I have also been continuing to do fabric research and have found some lovely Japanese fabrics that have been sent to me from both London and America. As well, I have been fabric sourcing nearer to home and have begun to collect variety of fabrics, cottons, silks, linens, etc. that may be suitable for my collection. I probably will not decide what fabrics I will definitely use until nearer January.

After going through my sketch book and writing down and drawing little ideas of what the images say to me, I have begun to look at the shape of the kimono and work on how it will be possible to bring the shape in through use of tailoring, pleating and folding.

I have started doing this by doing basic block shapes and changing them slightly each time, until I have exhausted all possibilities.

Once I had done this I have been taking the ideas that I have jotted down in my sketchbook and have been applying them to the basic shapes. The idea behind this being that once I have done this for front, back, sleeves and looked at trims and details I will be able to add my ideas together and create more interesting fashion drawings and ideas for my garments, covering all aspects and exhausting all possibilities.

Project Kimono redesign- continued     Chirimen