When people ask me where to start with Sashiko, I often suggest one of these fukin (foo-keen) and tell them to pick a design they will actually finish. If you go for the super complex designs on your first try, it’s more likely you’ll get frustrated and shove it in a drawer, never to be…
Author: The Ardent Thread
This is the blog for KimonoMomo, an online business selling new and vintage textiles, thread, and notions from Japan.
How do I do this?
I’ve had four different nudges to get back into teaching over the past two weeks. Three are for shows/organizations I’ve worked with before, and one is from a friend who knows my work. I responded to the three with my usual “I’m working on it, will send info soon” response as I dodged the professional…
Homegrown, Home-dyed Indigo
We grew our first crop of indigo! Then we used it to turn things blue.
Daruma Yokota Sashiko Thread
In the summer of 2019 I visited the Daruma Yokota thread dyeing factory in Kyoto, Japan. As our wholesale company, Orimono Imports, is a distributor for the brand and our retail shop, Kimonomomo has sold their thread for several years, I was hoping to learn more about the dyeing process and brainstorm some new ideas….
Aizenkobo Indigo Face Masks
Here’s my fashion tip of the season: Wear a damn mask. Yes, I’m being harsh. Why? Because I live in a region where masks are mandatory and I support that decision by our local government. If you want to debate the merits of going maskless, please don’t bother. I will remove your comment. I already…
Kimonomomo Library List Part 2
Sashiko and Boro reference books – hard to find/out of print editions worth seeking out
Making a Sashiko Handkerchief – iine kits from Olympus – いいね
Make this useful little project in a weekend, use it all year round
Sashiko Rainbow Waves
My approach to stitching the traditional Seigaiha Wave design with variegated sashiko thread
Kimonomomo Library List Part 1
Books on Japanese clothing in historical context, including social and economic status and what they tell us about clothing
Stitches Left Unsaid
It’s been a long time, I know. I visited Japan with my adult children and grandson in November, 2019 right after Houston Quilt Festival, took a break from traveling in December and January, sold at Stitches West for the first time while hosting our friend Tadashi Harada from Tulip Needle Co. in Hiroshima (he was…
Is this thing on?
I’ve always been an introvert and an outsider. I think many of us feel that way at times, and some of us are right. For me it was the awareness that I liked playing quirky games with just one other friend and disliked team sports. With one friend we could cooperatively control the narrative and…
New things, old things
My grandson is moving away. It’s not his idea, of course. The other grandmother offered space in her home and her house is bigger than mine, plus it’s my son-in-law’s hometown and he wants to be around his family for a change. Can’t argue with that. But I will miss our little apprentice and all…
A love for both the common fiber and the extraordinary textile @KimonoMomo 