I have been collecting old kimono from Japan since I love the idea to make something out of them. It is a great recycling. Worn-out kimono is perfect material to tear up to make strips for weaving. Sakiori means rag rug weaving in English although people make all kind of items from the woven fabric.

 

 

Most kimono I have are used in daily life and they are not specially beautiful. However, some of linings are silk fabric so I don’t want to waste them either.

What I wove are not really special. But I’m proud of my idea to use 2 obihimo (sash ties) for the handle for the tote bag.

My secret of easy sewing is using 2 kinds of interfacing. I didn’t put any lining. I applied regular little stiff white lining first. Then after I sew the handles I applied thin navy interfacing which I bought in Japan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here I combined cotton kimono fabric with sakiori fabric for the pocketbook. I even put nice adjustment metal parts to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are going to be displayed at Japanese Spring Festival tomorrow in Boston.