Me Musing . . . March 6, 2010 . . .

I have been working on a new project . . . a sort of 'kimono sleeping quilt' called a YoGi. I had read about them and at first thought it must be a kimono that people slept in. However, after finding more information, it turns out to be like a duvet or quilt that has the extra flaps like kimono sleeves.

I have long been intrigued with the shape of the kimono and many of the jackets I have made have been variations on that theme . . . so why not a duvet of the same style?????

As you recall, I had pinned up fabrics on the Design Wall, so used many of them in the YoGi.

In order to figure out the best size, I used an old wool airline blanket (remember when they used to give them out and they were wool???).
I layed down in my anti-gravity chair covered by the little blanket to see how the size was. Of course, it was too short!

The width was perfect for the upper body/shoulder area but I cut it narrower for the rest, then added those cut-out pieces to increase the length! So no wasted fabric.

I couldn't decide if I would sew the pieces directly on to the blanket or make a cover for the blanket. In the end, I opted for sewing them on. It was a little more complicated as I had to figure out as I placed one at a time what would overlap what before sewing them to the wool.

I used Mary's old Singer machine that I had taken to Yreka for a tune-up and gear replacement. It runs like a truck, but sure has a nice stitch. The repairman said it is a great machine and should go another 25 to 30 years!

These photos are before the back side was finished . . . with the same apricot that is at the top of the YoGi.

My YoGi on the Design Wall
alongside
vintage red wool kimono fabric
and Shifu (paper) half-Obi

The YoGi is a great design as it is wider at the top where you need the width to cover upper torso/shoulder area and narrower for the rest.

This shows the apricot patterned fabric
used for the back of YoGi

The 'Musing YoGi' awaiting me . . .

"You do not need to leave your room.
Remain sitting at your table and listen.
Do not even listen; simply wait.
Do not even wait; be quite still and solitary.
The world will freely offer itself to you
to be unmasked;
It has no choice;
It will roll in ecstasy at your feet!"
~ Franz Kafka

Until soon,

Che'usa

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