Taking Apart a Vintage Yukata

A little while ago, I found a lovely yukata at a recycled kimono shop.

What caught my eye was its charming pattern, which reminds me of little strawberries. Although it seems to be quite old, the design feels surprisingly modern, and I immediately fell in love with it.

For a moment, I wondered if I could alter it to fit my size and actually wear it. But... perhaps it's just a little too sweet for me now. 😊

Aside from a few small marks that come with age, the yukata is in very beautiful condition.

One thing that especially impressed me is the sewing. It appears to have been sewn entirely by hand. Every stitch is neat and carefully placed. I imagine it was worn, washed, and cherished for many summers, which makes me want to remove each thread with the same care that someone once used to sew it.

Today, I started by taking apart the collar.

The sleeves will probably be next.

It's slow work, but I enjoy listening to movies while I work, letting the voices play in the background as I carefully unpick each stitch.

Once all the pieces are separated, I'm thinking about dyeing the fabric with kakishibu (traditional Japanese persimmon tannin) and transforming it into a simple summer pullover garment.

I'm looking forward to seeing what this beautiful old yukata will become in its next life. Nat