I made a few flags a few years ago to be used on diving boats.  The fabric I use was obtained from a camping/hiking shop - they made tents & sold the fabric they used

yes homasote can be used as sound proofing - cost here in Australia of similar stuff recently was AUS$60 for a 120cm x 240cm (approx 4' x 8' US$50), but I gather like most things are much cheaper in USA, and you can get smaller pieces.

Sound reflects off hard surfaces - so if you have a hard floor then covering it with carpet or rugs (cheaper) will help (think of a cinema and all the carpet & fabrics used).  It was very noticable when my DD preschool covered half the room with carpet with how much sound they absorbed.

I am trying to be ruthless, but think we all know that is difficult   

small pieces I put in a bag and give it to the pre school my DD goes to - great for them to use in their artwork (so yes some of it does end up returning in the form of one of my DDs creations  )

Somethings I would consider:
take the curtain rail on the large windows up to the cornice.
Get a longer rail - the existing one looks to finishes at the the window frame height, you have wall space so when the curtains are open they can be pushed back without covering half the window.
You can get blackout lining or fabric coated with blackout, but they affect the drape.
(have you asked your neighbours if they can adjust the position of the light? - they may not even realise they are causing an issue for you)
maybe sheers as well, to provide some privacy during the day.
The one with a blind on - may want to make one that fits in the frame, rather than covering it up - if it is same as above the bed they are lovely window frames .
You may want to add decorative curtains to tie look into the main windows
The window above the bed looks to not have enough height for a roman blind to be done within the frame 
DO NOT do little curtains for these windows
Maybe roller blinds   

Using same fabric (fully or in part) on each window will tie them in

Not got any photos of it - will have to get some taken when I am feeling better

loukr, IMO you want a stable fabric, but not something too stiff or thick (ie don't think a lot of curtain fabric would be suitable), otherwise you could have problems creating all those lovely crisp folds and end up with too much bulk on the back - when the item is finished you can feel by the weight there is a lot of fabric there. 

 

one thing that'd really help though, would be to know how many of each piece I need?! I know I need two of 1, 3 and 4.. any others?!

that is right plus 2 of #5
that leaves one cut of pieces #2, 6, 7

http://www.japanesekimono.com/kimono_robe.htm

I made this earlier in the year  - I remember there being some vague instructions, but it was a good challenge and rewarding when I figured it out  - so have a look at it again and play around with the pieces and joining the letters up to create the folds.  I can give you hints but I don't want to spoil it for you.

One mistake I made (but did not realise my mistake until after I finished) was I thought I would have the longer end (the long rectangle bit that makes the collar & front edging) on my right so that the jacket would overlap the traditional side for a female - however to do that in Japanese custom is the way they dress their dead   

IMO, it would not be ok (note I am not familiar with Canadian law).  Earlier this year the French President & his wife sucessfully sued Easyjet for using their image/photo in an ad without their authorisation.

I am sure there would be the likes of an authorised JT doll out there, and rightly so they would not want others to produce his image on a doll when they have paid the rights to be able to do so themselves.

You could make them and get away with it, you could get a legal letter, up to you if you want to risk it.  Alternative there maybe scope on someone long dead or say nursery rhymes characters that would not have the same restrictions

IMO, it is not in proportion - it is not pleasing on the eye (the proportions not the the bag, that looks good, just would look better with a smaller handle)

little button- yes they were!! where do you live?? .. if that's not too stalkerish haha. good spot though! i bet it was the trellis-ness that made it so recognizable, haha.

It was the trellis that reminded me of that park, but thought you are probably American and there are probably many similar parks all over America, it can't be.

Then the band stand also looked familiar, the tree (in 5th pic) looked like one near the swings, closer look at pic 1 looked like the station embankment in the background, so checked your profile ....... plus you probably took them at the weekend given how sunny it was 

Live a few suburbs south, but especially during the summer have been there often with my children.