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

3-Day 2-Night Workshop in Tetsushiro: Create Your Own Silk-Wadded Sleeveless Garment

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

This type of sleeveless garment has long been worn just like modern vests. It is said that people would use it as formal wear without adding any cotton padding, or stuff it with cotton to turn it into cold-weather outerwear.

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

I’ve heard that in years past, people practiced sericulture, would turn unsellable silkworm cocoons into silk wadding, and use that to make clothing for their own household use. For this project, we will be creating a sleeveless piece, stuffing it with cotton batting and silk wadding. This is special, exclusive content, as standard craft books do not include instructions for this method of inserting batting.

If you do not have silk wadding on hand, we can provide you with some.

"Sleeveless pieces are extremely popular as secondary layering items. Adding just one extra piece to your winter wardrobe dramatically expands the range of outfit styles you can create."

This project uses simple construction methods, so even complete beginners can join. It's also perfect for anyone who has ever wanted to try making their own clothes. If this interests you, please come join us!

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

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

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【 Schedule 】

*This time frame is set so you can reach our location even when using public transportation

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

〈Day 2〉
9:00 Tour the Museum of Old Artifacts
10:00 Leisurely Browsing Time (at the apparel store)
12:00 Lunch (hors d'oeuvre platter), visit the shop and gallery
13:00 Needlework Time
18:00 Dinner (Guesthouse KIITOS)

〈Day 3〉
9:00 Hand-Stitching Time
12:00 Lunch & sharing time
Ends at 13:00 (Departs Nishi Zaisho at 13:19)

*Evenings are basically free time. We recommend some great ways to spend this time: you can visit the nearby hot spring (Manten no Yu) or go stargazing.

■Personal belongings

Sewing supplies (fabric shears, thread snips, measuring tape, chalk pen, sewing machine thread (size 50 cotton thread to match your fabric, or Schappe Span 60), 10 straight pins, pin cushion), fabric (we can provide fabric if you do not have your own), overnight kit.

*Please prepare medium-weight fabric.
*We will prepare a JUKI straight-stitch sewing machine
*The fabrics we offer swatches for are featured on the website below. Please refer to this as you consider your purchase.
・natural unbleached linen fabric

■Participation Fee
39,000 yen(Lunch, batting, and silk wadding fees included. Separate additional details regarding accommodation fees will be sent to you via email. The total cost for 2 nights plus meals will come to approximately 17,000-21,000 yen)

*Please note that depending on whether you have prior experience, you may not be able to complete your project within the allotted time. If this happens, we will continue to provide you with instructions to finish making your item.
*Depending on your level of experience, you may not complete your project within the allotted time. If this occurs, you may need to finish your work at home.
* If you would like to bring your own sewing machine, please contact us to discuss this.
*If you wish to extend your stay, please contact us.
*About accommodation details such as shared roomsWe will ask for your preferences in a preliminary survey. Please understand that we may not be able to accommodate all of your requests due to coordination requirements with other participants.

■Venue & Access

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

*Please use either a private car or public transportation for your travel.
-If you are arriving via public transportation

・Outbound trip (morning departure)　Nagoya ⇒(JR）⇒ Mino-Ota 9:56 ⇒(Nagaragawa Railway) =>11:53  Mino Shirotori 12:20 ⇒(Itoshiro Demand Bus, Hakucho Transport)⇒ Shimozaisho13:00

・Return trip (midday departure) Nishizaizai 13:19 ⇒(Itoshiro 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, beginners have participated in this as well.

Since this sleeveless item is constructed using a straight-cut design,
Virtually all fabric cutting and sewing work is only completed immediately before an order is prepared for shipment.

In this course,
・Concept for determining dimensions
・How to handle fabric・Fabric cutting methods
・Sewing order
・How to finish seam allowances
I will carefully explain each one individually.

Rather than 'making it well'
We place great importance on giving you the chance to experience firsthand the philosophy behind Japanese clothing manufacturing, so
Please join us, no experience required.

Q2. I’m not very handy, and I’m worried I won’t be able to finish making this all the way to the end.

A. Please rest assured, we will provide reliable, full support all the way through to completion.

We keep our group sizes small, and we will progress through the material while tracking each individual's personal progress.
If there is anything you don't understand, please ask as many times as you need, right there on the spot.

Also, this is not a course focused on achieving a 'perfect finished result.'
We value putting in hands-on work to craft a unique, one-of-a-kind garment that is entirely your own.

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

A. We will proceed at a manageable pace.

While this is a 3-day, 2-night schedule, we prioritize maintaining a good balance between work time and rest breaks.
You will never have to spend the entire day on your feet or sew nonstop.

"Time to focus and work with your hands" and "Time to learn about local culture"
We will make progress by alternating between working and taking breaks such as pausing to have tea and rest.

Q4. What types of people usually participate?

A. People of all ages and a wide range of backgrounds are participating.

Up until now
• Anyone who loves making their own clothes (anyone who has felt conflicted about the leftover fabric scraps you end up with!)
・Anyone interested in Japanese life and culture
・For anyone who wants to spend time working with their hands out in nature
along with many others, a wide range of people are participating.

Even among people meeting each other for the first time,
By sharing the time you spend creating the same things,
This space has an atmosphere that naturally sparks conversation.
Please join us, and think of this as a welcoming space to make new friends and build lasting connections!

Q5. Itoishiro is quite far, but is it okay to participate alone?

A. Almost everyone attends alone, so there will be no issues at all.

This course is primarily attended by people traveling from out of town and solo participants.
We will also provide advance information about your accommodation and transportation, so please rest assured.

Nearly 100% of all our attendees say, "I’m so glad I came, precisely because it was such a long way to get here."
We have established a comprehensive guest reception system to ensure your time with us leaves 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.

Full details of all items you need to bring are listed at the top of this page, so please review them.
If there are any items that are difficult to source or transport, we also have those available here, so
Please don't worry at all, just come and visit us.

Q7. What kind of clothing will be completed?

A. We will tailor a sleeveless garment made to fit your body.

I’m interested, but I also have some concerns
Bring all those feelings with you, please come visit Iwatōshiro.

In this course, rather than focusing on whether you can or cannot do something,
Work with your hands, immerse yourself in the experience, and bring your creation home with you.we cherish it.

■Cancellation Policy
・Cancellations made after registration and up to 1 week before the event date: 5%
・Cancellations made 6 to 3 days before the event date: 50%
・Cancellations made after this point: Full amount charged

■Important Notes
・There are no convenience stores or supermarkets in the surrounding area. Please bring all items you will need for your 2-night, 3-day stay, including snacks (we are able to provide these as well, but you should bring your own to ensure you have everything you require during your stay)