I spent all last evening working on my kimono. I hope sincerely that cutting out the pattern pieces is the hardest part. These were cumbersome and huge, and bending on the floor is so tiring. Tonight I'm going to sew the main pieces together, do as much as I can. I plan to have this done by Friday, and certainly in time for Anime Matsuri, if I choose to wear it.
Sewing again brought back so many wonderful memories from college: crouching on that concrete floor for hours on end sewing medieval gowns. Some aches and pains are so sweet. In fact, some of the fabric I'm using I bought in college. Keeping it around for years really paid off.
I totally love violets right now, and the thought of a violets kimono was what pushed me to make one, even though it will take every spare minute this week. My kimono will be a silken violets print with green gingham obi and golden cord, all things I had at home, even the interfacing, and it all goes perfectly together.
My birthday was wonderful, and these are only some of the features:
1. Birthday weekend with my family
2. Co-workers took me out for Indian food
3. Bonsai from a friend
4. Japanese tea table and tea set from Nathan
5. Meals, Thai House; Little Katana; Pho 95
6. I drank a whole glass of absinthe, wonderful time with friends
7. Nathan is just the best.
If I can meet my advancing years with this much enthusiasm, I have a lot to look forward to.
I miss some things about the past so much, but the best things were the things I made myself. That's what this summer is about for me, taking back the beauty of past memories and combining it with abilities I didn't have then.