In this episode of Madly Kimono, 👘 I’m upcycling a small indigo cotton YUKATA with white geometric patterns into a one-piece summer DRESS. It was way too petite for me to wear as-is, but with some patience (and a few missteps along the way) it came together as something new. This project is all about embracing change, in sewing, in fabric, and in myself! ✨ I’ll take you through the process of taking the Yukata apart, washing and preparing the fabric, matching the patterns, sewing, re-sewing, and figuring out how to make the design work. Along the way, I also share scenery from my garden and koi pond, a visit back to a peaceful lakeside spot 🥰 and a local event for world peace ☮️ with taiko drumming and hundreds of lanterns floating on the water. For me, these upcycling projects are about more than just sewing. It’s about finding simple pleasures, letting go of rigid ideas, and enjoying the process.❤️ I’d love to hear what you think about this dress. Would you have turned this Yukata into something else? Let me know in the comments. And if you enjoy these moments of slower living, please like, share, and subscribe! #beginnersewing #kimono #yukata #upcycle #upcycling #sewingproject #madlykimono #diysewing #selfimprovement #embracechange #koipond #slowliving #kiykoipond #japaneseculture #slowsewing #slowlifestyle ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Credits 🙏 浴衣の着付け方 - すなおの着物チャンネル @kimonosunao https://youtu.be/VBslmci1MZk?si=Zf1r2tFhMz03QHI9 Growing Up by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/scott-buckley/growing-up Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/eA6k0KEfuF8 Reverie by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/scott-buckley/reverie Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/zAghUpatQcI Wanderlust by Scott Buckley https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Free Download / Stream: https://www.audiolibrary.com.co/scott-buckley/wanderlust Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/s3fEbZwiJ94 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ About Madly Kimono 👘 Growing up in the land of Kimono 👘 during the Showa era, traditional arts like Nihon Buyo & Ikebana were part of my life, yet I often felt like the 'odd, tall outsider.' Geta & Zori rarely fit unless they were men's. 😆 Even my wedding Furisode had to be stitched together from two bolts of fabric. For many years, it seemed as if enjoying Kimono wasn’t meant for someone like me. Maybe you’ve felt that way too? Everything shifted years later when I spotted a cute Haori at a thrift store in Kyoto. That moment opened up a new possibility: enjoying these garments without rules, in ways that bring creativity, fun, and a sense of wholeness. ✨ This space is about sharing that freedom: upcycling vintage Kimono, sewing projects that spark curiosity, and glimpses of slower living. For anyone who has ever felt ‘out of place,’ my hope is that this space encourages you to explore, play, and feel at home in yourself, wherever you are on your journey. ❤️ #kimono #upcyclekimono #kimonoremake #sewingkimono #vintagekimono #kimonoupcycling #kimonoremaking #silkkimono #washkimono #kimonofashion #kimonodress #kimonosewing #vintageobi #obiupcycle #kyotokimono #japankimono #japanesekimono #antiquekimono #kimonolifestyle #usedkimono #secondhandkimono #kimonofabric #learnkimono #kimonolife #kimonodiary #kimonokitsuke #kimonoaccessories Etsy Shop: https://etsy.com/shop/MadlyKimono Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/MadlyKimono Website: https://madlykimono.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/MadlyKimono Facebook: https://facebook.com/MadlyKimono