I scanned in these examples for my friend Rhiannon from the Taiga Drama Komyo ga Tsuji. These are examples of the "patchwork" kosode. In the drama, the heroine, Chiyo, had to piece together new kosode because hers were ruined in a fire. Saionji-hime also speaks a bit about the subject on her excellent Kosode page, with some extant period examples towards the bottom of the page. I'd like to try to make one of these myself!
My only question is that the styling on these taiga costumes doesn't seem as symmetrical as the period examples I've seen?
Here are the scans. All of these are from NHK Taiga Drama Magazine.
I just colored my hair again, so I knew Mom at least would want to see the picture. Please note, despite all the pictures I seem to be posting of myself on here, I really don't like having my picture taken. However, I only actually see my family once in a blue moon, so sacrifices must be made.
Also: Bonus cat pictures!
Tegan in her favorite spot. We put a blanket down so that she would be a bit more comfortable. Yes, we are slaves to our cats!
Or Satin, as the case may be, although in this case, the culprit was LINEN, and I succumbed without much of a fight.
In a couple of months, a neighboring SCA group here in Iowa is going to have a Vikings vs. Saxons event. Since Bob has a Viking persona anyway, and my alternate persona is Anglo-Saxon, I figured I would make some new garb for us for the event, which is at the end of April. With two tunics apiece, I figure that works out to a tunic every two weeks. Even with all the hand-sewing I do (my personal authenticity thing is to not have any machine-sewn seams showing), I think that's doable.
I did finally finish my new royal-blue cloak, as seen below:
It looks a bit wrinkled, doesn't it? Looks much better in person. It was completely hand-sewn, as shown here on the hem:
It took me about a month to finish, but is very warm and comfy.
As for the Evil That Is The Fabric Store, I only went in to get a few yards of a butterfly brocade for an Japanese outfit I made last fall. I messed up the sleeves and want to re-do them, but didn't quite have enough fabric, and brocade was on sale today. But while there, I saw that linen was also on sale and managed to pick up these beauties:
The ivory is a lovely color for undertunics and isn't that blue wonderful? It'll go with the cloak perfectly, too. Most of my Saxon garb is earth-toned (mainly browns and greens) so I was longing for either blue or red linen for a bit of variety. I didn't need to spend that money, but oh, sin is sometimes delicious, isn't it?
I've gotten bored with my red hair. Next up: dark ash brown. Yep, it's time to be a brunette for awhile, I think. ;-D
You know, I think there's a reason that I've been feeling so tired and out-of-it lately.
Yes, that's right. Evil kitties have been siphoning away my life-energy while I sleep!
Oh, the humanity!
