We grew our first crop of indigo! Then we used it to turn things blue.
Category: textiles
Kimonomomo Library List Part 2
Sashiko and Boro reference books – hard to find/out of print editions worth seeking out
Kimonomomo Library List Part 1
Books on Japanese clothing in historical context, including social and economic status and what they tell us about clothing
May 20, 2013 Japan
Koyata Okonogi-san’s silk worm farm He uses an older breed of silkworm from the Edo era to reproduce finer quality silk. Lime is sprinkled on the worms and leaves to keep them dry. Noriko is his apprentice. Awareness of how alive textiles are here. From raising silkworms and spinning the silk to tending the indigo…
May 18, 2013 (part 2) Japan
Itchiku Kubota Museum Wayside flowers = tsujigahana “I want my textiles to tell a story. I will discover new techniques.” – Ichiku Kubota Gold work on kimono “Ou” c. 2002 #17 in exhibit – At least four types of thread. Bricked and sometimes top outlined. Thin and thick bands, gold and silver. Kimono colors gold…
Indigo Sashiko Boro Leggings
These pants go by various names depending on where you look: Mataware また割り(splits), Momohiki 股引, Matahiki また引き. Essentially they are a type of trousers worn tight at the calf and baggy at the hip. Common in rural Japan until the early 20th century, these were worn by shop workers and farmers alike. These are different from Mompe…
Broken and Mended – patching sashiko hitomezashi
Examples of two different mending techniques
Big Blue Boro
Closeup view of one of Carol’s favorite antique Japanese indigo boro!
Sashiko and Double Gauze – the Ripple Effect
Sashiko doesn’t have to involve a lot of fancy stitches. Sometimes you can achieve delightful visual and tactile effects with a simple straight stitch. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using double gauze cotton fabrics. What is double gauze? It’s exactly what the name implies: two layers of cotton gauze fabric,…
Where can you find Kimonomomo in March?
Quick update (because I’m working on four other slow updates from my Japan trip and something needs to get posted, let’s be honest): Upcoming Sashiko Class: Sashiko Specifics – Learning the Stitches Part 1 with Kimonomomo – March 26, The ReCrafting Co, Alameda, CA Upcoming Quilt Shows: East Bay Heritage Quilt Guild – Voices in…
Kogin Institute, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
I visited the Kogin Institute in Hirosaki on January 31, 2017 after visiting the Tokyo Quilt Festival, Takayama, and Osaka. It was a pleasant flight from Osaka to Hirosaki, with the view of snowy mountains most of the way, and many, many empty seats. My companion Toyo looked around the plane, counted the passengers, and…
Sashiko Subscription Box Beta coming soon!
What is the Sashiko Subscription Box (beta), you ask? The beta part refers to the first box being a limited release which will also come with a feedback questionnaire so you can tell me what you think needs to be improved or what works well. The goal is to have a presentable subscription box that…
A love for both the common fiber and the extraordinary textile @KimonoMomo 