[Online Workshop] Let's make karusan trousers from rescued fabric (Jan 17, 24, 31, Feb 7)

Let's make a Karusan online
(December 1, 8, 15, 2026)

(Applications open August 1!)

This workshop is designed for the following type of people:

This online workshop is,not for those who are completely new to sewing.

・ Have made clothes using sewing books or self-taught methods
・ Follow patterns but sometimes can’t make them turn out well, and don’t understand why
・ Always struggle with choosing fabric

For people like that,to create while understanding fabric, construction, and finishingthis is the workshop for you.Join us online from the comfort of your home to create a perfectly sized Karusan made just for you. You can participate using your preferred method, whether hand-sewing or using a sewing machine.

Karu-san is pants made entirely from straight cuts. It’s tapered, making it comfortable to wear and easy to fit.

To make straight cutting possible, a gusset is added to the crotch to widen the range of movement.

Let’s enjoy making bottoms that use fabric efficiently, based on Japanese sewing techniques.

Karu-san is available in 4 sizes, from size 0 to 3. Please make it in your preferred size.

This is how size 0 looks on a 160cm tall woman (① Natural linen fabric).

This is how size 1 looks on a 160cm tall woman (Linen cotton denim).

This is size 2 on an 180cm tall man.

This is size 3 on an 180cm tall man.

About Fabric

You can either prepare your own fabric, or purchase fabric from our shop at the same time.

① Natural linen: Recommended for all seasons except mid-winter. It’s plain weave linen in its natural color, giving a natural look. Woven in Shiga Prefecture (100% linen)

【Workshop Contents】

• 3 online workshop sessions (December 1, 8, 15, 10:00–12:00)
  • ＊ Please note that homework is required. You will need to complete at-home follow-up tasks for each session, so please join with this in mind.

【Additional Items Needed】

• Karu-san Sewing Guide (2nd Edition, published December 1, 2025): If you already have the 1st Edition, we will send you a download link for the 2nd Edition. If you don’t have it, please purchase it as an optional add-on. If you buy it together with the workshop, you will get a discounted price.
• Fabric for the project: You can prepare your own fabric, or purchase an optional fabric from our site.

【Required Supplies (Please Prepare Yourself)】

• Sewing thread matching your fabric
• Waist elastic (cut to your waist measurement)
• Waist tie (only needed if you want one; approx. 140–170cm long)

【Tools Needed for Sewing】

• Common tools for hand-sewing/machine-sewing: sewing tools (fabric scissors, thread scissors, measuring tape, chalk pen, 20 straight pins, pincushion),   iron, ironing board, elastic threader
• Hand-sewing: Hand-sewing needles
• Machine-sewing: Sewing machine, overlock/serger (if you don’t have one, use the zigzag stitch, or finish the edges with a flat-fell seam)

【Registration Process】

• After you apply, we will send you a Google Form participation survey within 2 weeks. (This will be sent via email from ws@itoshiro.org, so please make sure to allow emails from this address by adjusting your spam settings. If you don’t receive it after 2 weeks, please contact us at ws@itoshiro.org.)
• We will hold the workshop starting December 1 based on your survey responses. Please join us with your sewing tools, fabric, and sewing guide ready.
• The workshop will be held via Google Meet (online meeting; no app download required). We will send you the access URL before the workshop, so please enter using that.
• If you are unable to attend any session, we will send you a recording, but we encourage you to join all 3 sessions if at all possible to complete your Karusan.
• Depending on your skill level, you may not finish the project during the workshop.

【Application Deadline】 Monday, November 23, 24:00

【Pre-Work Preparation】

Please pre-wash the fabric: soak it in water, lightly spin to remove excess water, then hang to dry. Iron it on low heat with a press cloth.
＊ If you want to wash it in a washing machine normally, put it in a mesh bag and use a gentle cycle. Smooth out wrinkles with an iron. The fabric may shrink, but pre-shrinking it before sewing will prevent any unwanted shrinkage later.

【Instructor:Mari Takai】

Based in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, I create traditional Japanese garments and host workshops for Itoshiro Yohinkan. I will guide you to completion while sharing tips for sewing well and key points for beautifully finished work. I hope you all can enjoy the joy of creating and a relaxing time together. My motto is "Encourage and grow!"

About Sewing Skill Level

As a guide,
・Can sew straight seams by hand or machine
・ For hand-sewing, can do running stitch and blanket stitch
・ Have made small items or clothing using either a sewing machine or hand-sewing,

you are welcome to join.

Rather than just following the pattern steps,
we will explain why each shape and sewing method is used as we go,
so this is ideal for those who want to move beyond self-taught methods.

Can I properly learn this online?

Yes, we will teach the same content as the workshops we hold at Itoshiro, even online.

We will prepare materials in advance, and on the day, we will explain each step and our thinking while showing you our hands.

What happens if I miss a session?

If you have to miss a session, we will send you a recording later. We will make sure you can follow along with the subsequent sessions.

Can I join mid-way?

Basically, we recommend joining from the start.

The steps are connected, so joining mid-way may make it difficult to understand.

About Capacity and Application Deadline

・ Capacity: 8–10 people per session
・ Application Deadline: Monday, November 23, 24:00

We cannot extend the deadline further due to fabric ordering and preparation.