Every year around November, the town suddenly takes on a Christmas mood. I absolutely love seeing Christmas trees decorated everywhere and the town come alive with color.
Besides Christmas trees, another sight you often see around town is the round Christmas wreath. It’s a classic decoration that adds to the Christmas spirit, but I don’t have a single one at home.
Just as I was starting to want one, I learned that the kimono remake brand “Takehime” was holding a kimono wreath workshop. I was intrigued by the wreaths made from kimono fabric, something I hadn’t seen or heard much about.
I went to try making Takehime’s “kimono wreath,” perfect for Christmas.
The information provided is as of when this article was published in November 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Kimono Wreath” Workshop?
The “kimono wreath” workshop is a hands-on event where you make a wreath using colorful kimono fabric scraps. It is held by Takehime, a kimono remake brand with a shop in the Bikan Historical Area.
Wreaths made from kimono are visually vibrant, and their exquisite balance of Japanese and Western styles is appealing. You can make a one-of-a-kind wreath unlike any other.
Takehime is a brand that repurposes kimonos that can no longer be worn to create new clothes and accessories. I think this workshop, too, is a uniquely Takehime experience that makes use of kimono reuse.
The fee is 2,750 yen per session (tax included), and you can participate without a reservation.
Takehime regularly holds workshops using kimono fabric scraps, and it seems that future workshops will let participants make seasonal motifs.
This time, I went to try making a wreath perfect for Christmas. Here’s what happened that day.
I Joined the Workshop
I headed to Takehime in mid-November.
Takehime is on the second floor of a building, but colorful kimono wreaths were displayed on the first floor, making the entrance easy to find.
First, a Lesson on How to Make a Wreath
The workshop does not require a reservation, so after entering the shop, I first told a staff member that I wanted to participate.
After paying, it was finally time to start making my kimono wreath.
The base of the kimono wreath was a ring made of Styrofoam. The four materials used are a bamboo skewer, adhesive, a Styrofoam base, and kimono fabric scraps.
The shop manager, Warabino Yuichiro, showed me how to make it.
First, make a hole in the Styrofoam with a bamboo skewer. Next, wrap a kimono fabric scrap around the skewer and apply adhesive.
When I pushed the kimono fabric scrap into the hole with the skewer, the scrap stuck to the Styrofoam like a flower petal. Repeat this process, attaching scraps until the base is no longer visible, and it’s finished.
According to Warabino, the process itself is simple, so you can make one in about an hour. However, those who take care over the combinations of patterns and colors apparently spend two or three hours or more working on theirs.
There were also pieces for sale displayed in the shop. I thought I’d use them for inspiration for color combinations.
Attach the Fabric Scraps from the Front
Let’s get started.
There were more than 30 types of kimono fabric scraps to choose from, so it was hard to decide which ones to use. Christmas wreaths bring green to mind, but this seemed like a good opportunity to create a color palette that only kimono fabric scraps can offer.
I wanted to make a wreath with a white base, so I started by choosing pink-toned scraps that seemed like they would add an accent.
As I wondered where to start, Warabino advised me, “If you start with the part that will be visible from the front when the wreath is propped up, you can create a well-balanced color scheme.” So I began attaching scraps in the most visible spots.
Using about three fabric scraps in one spot makes it look like a beautiful flower.
To make it look even more like a flower, I also used bright green scraps to create grass. It was an idea I came up with on the spot, but when I actually attached them, the wreath became more vibrant than I’d imagined and started to look just the way I wanted.
The process was very simple: all you had to do was gently poke in a bamboo skewer, and the fabric scraps stayed firmly in place. It required very little strength, so even children could easily give it a try.
At first, I couldn't picture what the finished wreath would look like, but once most of the front was covered in color, I began to get the feeling it would turn out beautifully.
Filling it densely with around 300 fabric scraps to complete
Next, I started attaching the white fabric scraps that would form the base.
There were two types of whitish fabric. Looking closely, I could see that the patterns were different, so I decided to mix them together.
While I was working, Ms. Warabino told me, “We use around 250 to 300 fabric scraps for a kimono wreath.”
You don't notice while you're absorbed in the work, but it's surprising how many fabric scraps are used.
After about 40 minutes, the front was covered, and it was starting to look like a gorgeous cake. I continued filling the sides and inside with fabric scraps so the base wouldn't show.
Personally, I enjoyed thinking about the color combinations the most. I can understand why you'd want to take your time choosing the colors.
After some deliberation, I decided to use reddish-brown and green fabric scraps for the sides and inside.
Adding subdued colors gave the wreath's cute color scheme a little more definition. The choice of colors can completely change the impression, but perhaps one of the special things about kimono wreaths is that any combination turns out looking lovely.
I kept pushing in fabric scraps until the base was hidden, and after about an hour and a half, the kimono wreath was complete.
The wreath has a lovely, muted color scheme overall, with kimono fabric arranged like flowers.
The wreath turned out even more to my taste than I had imagined, making this a thoroughly satisfying experience.
From the Writer
Taking part in the kimono wreath workshop let me get into the Christmas spirit a little early.
A wreath made from kimono fabric scraps lets you enjoy both Japanese and Western styles, and looks festive too. I'm looking forward to decorating my room with it for Christmas.
Takehime plans to hold a variety of workshops in the future to coincide with seasonal events. Check Takehime's Instagram for workshop information.
Why not add a festive touch to Christmas with an original kimono wreath that's one of a kind?
“Kimono Wreath” Workshop Information
| Name | “Kimono Wreath” Workshop |
|---|---|
| Date | Wreath-making workshops held through December 2024 |
| Location | 204, 2-25-45 Achi, Kurashiki City |
| Participation fee (tax included) | 2,750 yen (tax included) |
| Website | Takehime |
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