Meta Confusion

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Okay, I got my Meta yukatas today and although they are beautiful I'm a bit confused. I was looking at the sleeves and although they have good seams, they also have darting (not sure right term) in them...

They look like this: __________ ________________ _____

Are they suppose to be there for looks or did they forget to take this thread out? It's on the bottom part of the sleeve near where your hand comes out. If you want a diagram I can draw one... Sorry I'm not very clear on the problem...

Comments

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Oh, okay! Thank you! ^-^ I was just confused... Another way you can tell is that one of the threads came loose... ><;;; It seems the thread is used to hold the hem down and was done very spacily so that it would show through... So I think I can just cut it and tie a knot in both sides... Hopefully.

I think I'll wait for my mom to look at it before I do anything, though...

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

*wouldn't show through

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

AGGGGHHHHHH!!!! DONT REMOVE THOSE!!!!!!!!!!

Theyre not on there to hold anything together...but they are tradtitionally left on kimono!!!!

Every kimono Ive owned has had those on there... when I asked my japanese teacher about them...she said it was a traditional thing left on the kimono.

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Oh... Okay. I had sorta wondered if they were on there for the look or something. Thank you.

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

lol....Im so goofy... Im all like *NO ALL SYSTEM STOP!!!HALT! CHOTTO MATTE YO!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!*

Sorry about that....lolz

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Well, you were just worried I'd go run off and immediately cut them... My question is why don't I see them on yukatas when I look up pictures of them?

Actually...

[daitenshi-dream.livejournal.com]

Um... leaving them in is practically the same as leaving the tag on. They are put there when new, or when professionally dry-cleaned, and should be removed for wear.

Re: Actually...

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

Really??? wow... I guess you wouldnt want to do that then...However...even when I buy used kimono that has been worn by other people in Japan the stitches are left in the kimono... (actully Ive never bought a kimono that didnt have them in there) so perhaps its not really the same thing???

You would think that if they were suposed to be taken out than the previous owners of the kimono I had would have removed them.

no, really.

[daitenshi-dream.livejournal.com]

This may sound stupid, but is your Japanese teacher actually Japanese? If so, any idea about her level of upbringing? ^^;
Check out this link (http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-KIMONO-Houmongi-Bingata-Unused_W0QQitemZ7771907127QQihZ018QQcategoryZ29452QQcmdZViewItem) to an ebay auction of a kimono from a Japanese seller. Note in "condition" (under the sizing chart) that it says "the basting threads are not removed yet."
Another clue is that they are called basting threads. When sewing, a basting thread is to be removed, and is not meant to be a part of the finished garment.

Ooooh, also read what lacrimawanders posted below; very helpful and informative. ^_^

Re: no, really.

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

um... Yes... she *is* Japanese...

They arent talking about the same type of threads Im talking about....those are arround the collar and they are a sepreate color from the kimono....Im talking about the "long, short, long" stitches arround the hem and sleeves.

Re: no, really.

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Um, what I'm talking about are different colors then the kimono... They're white and as I looked at Meta's pictures of the yukata on the site so I noticed that it doesn't have the threads on it which makes me think they don't belong on there....

Re: no, really.

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

Oh...*doof* perhaps we are talking about totally sepreate ideas.....lol.

Your probably right about the threads your speaking about and if they are anything like the picture youve posted...then...um...no. they arent suposed to be there.... Pull em out.

But If shes talking about the little long short long stitches near the sleeves then those should not be removed.

Re: no, really.

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

No, I mean.... They look really bad... And some of the stitches cross over eachother.... Also, the spacing doesn't show on LJ but they are spaced really far apart and aren't long short long but just uneven.... My dad even says they look like they shouldn't be there.

Re: no, really.

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

Yeah... Like I said... you are probably right... I dont think Ive ever gotten a kimono with opposing colored threads in it.... Of course Ive never bought a brand new kimono.... but I guess I should probably take a picture of the things im talking about....


Those white basting stitches in the collarshould definately come out.

Re: no, really.

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Well, they look like those stitches only less even... I asked Meta... But yeah, they should probably be removed.

Re: no, really.

[daitenshi-dream.livejournal.com]

The threads they talk about in the auction are the same things that the original poster is referring to. ^^;

Re: no, really.

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

Yeah I see that now. I thought they were refering to cirtain stitches in the sleeves of the kimono that are along the opening of the sleeves that are the same color as the kimono and are in a long short long short sequence....

Thanks... but Ive pretty much figured out that I was screaming about something goofy for no reason now...

Re: no, really.

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

It's okay! ^-^ I'm sorry I wasn't very clear in my main post...

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

AHHHHHHHH!!!NOOOO!!!!!!!DONT!!!! REMOVE THOSE!!!!!!

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Don't? Mew? Telleth me why?

I could be wrong but...

[jolie-laide.livejournal.com]

Just about every yukata/kimono (with the exception of the antique ones) I purchased have threads sewn in that manner. They are essentially basting threads but they were not left there because of shoddy craftsmanship. I've seen it done on regular clothing (blazers and slacks in particular) and I gather that it's to keep clothing in place during shipment.

Re: I could be wrong but...

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

no no no your right....if anything they show GOOD craftmanship...and attention to detail....

We went shopping for my fiances new suit jacket a little while ago and the more expenisve suits still had those on there...whereas the less expenive suits did not....

its really a quality mark if you ask me...

[little-zooks.livejournal.com]

I think every yukata I have bought has come with basting-type stitches in it to keep it all flat and neat. Maybe that's what those are? I just pull 'em out.

[trancegeminii.livejournal.com]

Yeah you are right... they were traditionally sewn on there after the garment was finished to keep the seams flat...but trationally they are left on the kimono...

[little-zooks.livejournal.com]

Really? That's very interesting! *shit, pulled mine out*
Whyfor are they left in? And is it only done in formal kimono, or in yukata too?

Go ahead and remove them

[daitenshi-dream.livejournal.com]

Leaving them in is practically the same as leaving the tag on. They are put there when new, or when professionally dry-cleaned, and should be removed for wear.

[mayuki-miyazawa.livejournal.com]

^_^ You can take them out if you wish, the threads are only there to hold the shape of the sleeves. When you put it through the wash/dryclean, make sure the stitches are in them, otherwise the yukata will lose its shape.

They serve no traditional purpose, they aren't left on. Their purpose is purely didactic, so pull away when you wear them out.

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

So if I go to get it drycleaned will they put new stitches in it before they wash it???

[lacrimawanders.livejournal.com]

It's the same thing as in the west - for example, my school kilts came with basting stitches in for shipping. It comes with the stitches to keep it nicely shaped and flat. I'd take the stitches out to wear the skirt (it would look ridiculous walking around school with them in), but if one wants the stitches in for the dry cleaning, they'd have to put them in themself. Same deal with a a suit jacket, or a kimono. I've never put basting stitches back in, I just would iron the skirt to touch it up.

I just asked my mom about putting the basting stitches back in - she says it's unnecessary. I have a normal cotton yukata, and it's fine being washed without stitches in.

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the help! ^-^

[dazysweetdreame.livejournal.com]

Also, do you usually gets yours drycleaned or regularly wash your yukata?

[ravenslolita.livejournal.com]

I just wash mine but that's what my host mother taught me to do.. but for a meta one i think you'd need to get it drycleaned.

[lacrimawanders.livejournal.com]

My yukata is just a 100% cotton lightweight thing - fine for the washing machine. It depends on the fabric and the construction and stuff - if you're worried about it fading, or about the wash ruining it, you may want to dryclean it. If you're not wearing it often and aren't sweating in it, washing may not even be an issue.

[stockingshock.livejournal.com]

I get these on my kimono too, but I pulled them out ('cos I fiddle with everything). And the kimono did not collapse, scream, or catch fire.
Btw. I wash all my kimono in the washing machine; even the antique chirimen Taisho one I have. No casualties so far.
So if your Meta yukata is cotton, I'd say bung it in as usual. I machine-wash Meta cottons also.
(However I will bet that my kimono were a great deal cheaper than a Meta yukata, so you may not want to take that chance. There's always handwashing.)