Cotton-Filled Sleeveless Garment-Making Workshop ~2-Night 3-Day Garment Making Course~ (11/7-9)

3-day, 2-night workshop in Itoshiro to create a floss-silk padded sleeveless garment

These are the silkworms we raised for the 'Learn About Clothing From Silkworms' course, which ran from May to June of this year. We will be making a sleeveless garment stuffed with floss silk created from these cocoons.

These sleeveless garments have long been worn the same way modern vests are today. It is said that they were either used as formal attire without any cotton filling, or stuffed with cotton to serve as cold-weather outerwear.

(The woman second from the right is wearing a sleeveless top)

I’ve heard that in the past, people raised silkworms, turned any unsellable silkworms into floss silk, and used that material to make their own home-produced clothing. This time, we will be crafting a sleeveless garment by stuffing it with cotton batting and floss silk. Since standard sewing guidebooks do not include instructions for adding this combination of stuffing, this is a special, exclusive project tutorial.

We can provide silk wadding for any customer who does not have any on hand.

Sleeveless styles are incredibly popular as a secondary layering piece. Adding just one piece to your winter outfits instantly and dramatically expands your range of possible styling combinations.

This piece uses a simple, easy-to-follow construction, so it’s perfectly accessible for beginners to take on. It’s also highly recommended for anyone who’s ever wanted to try making their own clothing. If you’re interested, we’d love for you to join in!

Schedule: November 7 (Sat) – 9 (Mon), 2026

Time: Gather at 13:30 on 11/7 ~ 1 on 11/9Ends at 3:20
           Reservations open starting 8/1

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【 Schedule】

*This time frame is set to be accessible even for those arriving via public transportation.

〈Day 1〉
13:30 Arrive in Itoshiro (greetings, self-introductions)
14:00 Clothing creation briefing and measurements
15:00 Fabric cutting
18:00 Check-in & dinner social (Guesthouse KIITOS)

〈Day 2〉
9:00 Visit the Old Artifacts Museum
10:00 Stitching Time (at the Haberdashery)
12:00 Lunch (hors d'oeuvre platter), shop and gallery tour
13:00 Gentle Nudge Time
18:00 Dinner (Guesthouse KIITOS)

〈Day 3〉
9:00 Needlework Time
12:00 Lunch & share time
13:00 Ends (departs Nishi Zaisho at 13:19)

* Evenings are basically free time. Recommended ways to spend your time include visiting the nearby hot spring (Manten no Yu) and stargazing, both of which come highly recommended.

■Personal belongings

Sewing cutting tools (fabric shears, thread scissors, measuring tape, chalk pen,Seam ripper, hand-sewing needles, elastic threader, stationery ruler (approx. 15cm in size),Sewing thread (50-weight cotton thread that matches your fabric, or 60-weight Shappespan thread: not required if you purchase your fabric here), 20 sewing pins, a pin cushion, a bodkin, fabric (available to buy on-site with our workshop discount), overnight kit (towels, toothbrushes, pajamas, etc.)

※Items Provided On-Site※
JUKI Sewing Machines, Sergers ( White・Beige・Navy・Black）, iron, ironing board, 50-60cm grid ruler, paperweight, task light, rubber, thread matched to locally sold fabric, etc.

■Participation Fee
39,000 yen(Lunch, padding and silk wadding fees included. We will send you a separate email with full details regarding accommodation fees.It will cost approximately 17,000円 for a 2-night stay, including fees for breakfast and dinner)

• The number of operating lodgings within the village has dwindled, so we primarily refer guests to Guesthouse KIITOS, which is managed by Iwatoiro Western Goods Store. Night-before-stay /If you plan to check in late, please contact us to discuss arrangements.

■Venue & Access

Itoshiro Yohinten
65-18 Itoshiro, Shiratori Town, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture
Phone : 0575-86-3808

• Please use either a personal vehicle or public transportation as your mode of transport.
• If you plan to visit by private car, you will need a 4-wheel drive vehicle equipped with studless winter tires during the winter period (roughly December to March). If you are not experienced with driving on snowy roads, please use public transportation. If you have any concerns about road conditions, please contact us.

■About Accommodation

We offer accommodation at the guesthouse “KIITOS”, located across from the workshop facility of Itoshiro Western Goods Store. This service incurs a separate additional fee. Due to guest capacity constraints, all stays are arranged in shared rooms as a general rule, with 2 guests assigned to each room.
We will send you detailed event information and a pre-event survey approximately one month before the event starts. If you plan to stay at a different accommodation, or if you absolutely must have a private room, please let us know at that time.

-If you are arriving via public transport

・Outbound journey (departs in the morning)　Nagoya ⇒(JR）⇒ Mino-Ota 9:56 ⇒(Nagaragawa Railway) ⇒11:53  Mino Shiratori 12:20 ⇒(Itoshiro On-Demand Bus, Hakucho Transport)⇒ Lower Manor (Shimozaisho)13:00

・ Return trip (midday departure) Nishi-Zaisho 13:19 ⇒(Ishitoroshiro Demand Bus) ⇒ 14:00 Mino Shirotori → (Nagaragawa Railway) → 16:37 Minoota 17:00 ⇒(JR）⇒ Nagoya 17:58

Q&A About Participation

Q1. I'm a beginner at making clothes, can I still participate?

A. Yes, we have had beginners participate in this program so far.

Since this sleeveless style is constructed using straight-cut panels,
Almost all of our cutting and sewing work is completed only immediately before an order ships.

In this course,
・Guiding principles for measuring dimensions
・How to handle fabric ・Cutting methods
・Sewing order
• How to finish seam allowances
We will explain each one carefully, one by one.

Rather than 'making it well'
We place great value on letting you experience the philosophy behind Japanese clothing manufacturing, so
Please feel free to join, no experience necessary.

Q2. I'm not very crafty, and I'm worried I won't be able to finish making this all the way through.

A. Rest assured, we will provide you with full, reliable support until completion.

We run this as a small-group program, moving forward while monitoring each participant’s individual progress.
If there's anything you don't understand, please feel free to ask as many times as you need to, right there on the spot.

Additionally, this is not a course that aims to produce perfectly finished work.
We value getting hands-on to craft a one-of-a-kind, uniquely personal garment that is entirely our own.

Q3. I'm worried I won't be able to keep up physically.

A. We will proceed at a manageable pace.

This is a 3-day, 2-night stay, and we prioritize a healthy balance between work hours and rest periods.
You will never be stuck standing or sewing nonstop.

"Time to focus and work with your hands" and "Time to learn about local culture"
We work through our tasks while taking regular breaks, such as pausing for tea and rest.

Q4. What kinds of people participate?

A. Participants span a wide range of age groups and backgrounds.

Up until now
・Anyone who loves making clothing (if you’ve ever felt conflicted about ending up with leftover fabric scraps, this is for you!)
・Anyone interested in Japanese lifestyle and culture
・For anyone who wants to spend time working with their hands surrounded by nature
and many others, with a wide range of people participating.

Even for people meeting for the first time,
By sharing the time you spend creating the same items,
This space has an atmosphere that naturally sparks conversation.
Please come join us and have a great time, and think of this as a place to build new friendships!

Q5. Itoshiro is far away, but is it okay to participate alone?

A. Most attendees come alone, so there is no problem at all.

This course draws many attendees who travel from out of town, as well as those participating solo.
Rest assured, we will provide you with advance details about accommodation and transportation as well.

Nearly 100% of all our attendees tell us, “I’m so glad I made the trip out here, even though it was such a long way to come.”
We have put in place a comprehensive support framework to ensure your time with us will leave you feeling exactly that way.

Q6. What items do I need to bring?

A. We will provide all large tools needed for sewing, such as sewing machines and irons.

Please check the top of this page for full details of required items.
If there are any items that are difficult to source or transport, we can provide those for you here as well.
Please don't worry, feel free to come on over.

Q7. What kind of clothing will be completed?

A. We will custom-tailor a sleeveless garment to fit your individual body.

I'm interested, but I also have some worries.
Bring all those feelings with you, and please come visit Itoshiro.

This course, rather than focusing on whether you can or cannot do what it covers,
Work with your hands, experience the process, and bring your creation home with youwe cherish.

■Cancellation Policy
・Cancellations made after you submit your application, up until one week before the event date: 5%
・Cancellations made 6 to 3 days prior to the event date: 50%
・Cancellations made after this point: full amount

■Important Notes
・There are no convenience stores or supermarkets nearby. Please bring all items you will need for your 2-night, 3-day stay, including snacks (we can provide these items on-site as well, but we ask that you bring your own to ensure you have everything you need for your trip)