Here is another textile from Tansu Design; a fabulous 19th or early 20th century stitched and dyed sari from India. I wish I’d had more time to ask questions and a better camera on me when I was in the gallery, but this was the best I could do with my iPhone before running out the…
Category: vintage
Sashiko Furoshiki
Wandering around the San Francisco Design District last week, I found this gorgeous HUGE furoshiki at Tansu Design. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my tape measure on me so I couldn’t tell you the exact measurements, but yes, that is a sofa it is draped across. I’d estimate the size to be roughly 4 feet in…
A little sashiko video selection
Poking around YouTube today, I found these videos featuring sashiko. Each one is only a few minutes long, and helpful if you are just starting out, or want to see how others hold needle, thread and cloth. Despite finding very particular directions in every Japanese and English how-to book on sashiko, I’ve found that each…
Where did the time go?!
Is it really June already? I’ve been avoiding this blog for a while. Nothing personal, just been busy working on two different businesses; KimonoMomo, and The Word Sniper, my writing/editing business. Letting go of KimonoMomo has been my intention for quite some time now, but it’s an ornery process, one that keeps dragging me back…
Kimono Aid for Japan
Thanks to the earthquake and ensuing crisis in Japan, KimonoMomo has been getting a lot of publicity. It’s not exactly what I had expected and makes me feel uneasy, but if I can use it to help others, I certainly will. While I would like to offer 100% of proceeds from my sales to help…
Kimono auctions to benefit Japan earthquake relief
Quick post to spread the word about Immortal Geisha’s eBay auctions to benefit earthquake relief in Japan. Beautiful vintage kimono and accessories are being offered and 100% of the proceeds will go to help those who need it most right now. Please take a look and place a bid on these gorgeous items.
Inside the modified yukata
Taking a closer look at our modified indigo shibori yukata, there are some interesting touches that signify this was very much a homemade or at least home-modified garment. The partial lining is from a tenugui, or cotton hand towel. It is very soft, and has been carefully tacked in such a way to give more…
Meiji Ningyo Restoration, part VIII
Home at last. The little fellow arrived shortly after my previous post, but I had mixed feelings about his restoration and it’s taken some time for me to sort things out in my head to where I felt comfortable writing about it. If you’re just joining this series, click here to read part 1 and…
Meiji Ningyo Restoration, part VI
Sometimes I get so distracted with my other work that I forget to come in here and keep you updated. As I am so fond of saying, I could really use an assistant… and a chef, a maid, a chauffeur, etc. At least I have the dog to get me up and out of bed…
Meiji Ningyo Restoration, part V
A very welcome email arrived in my box early Friday morning from Anne Weaver: I will speak for the little guy. He is now being made whole again by filling the missing surfaces of his body. The clothing is the biggest challenge due to years of dirt and aging. His face is in the early…
Meiji Ningyo Restoration, part IV
After a few days of airing the kimono out, I decided it was time to dress the little fellow properly at last. Once the hakama was on, he looked quite the little samurai. You may have noticed in the first photos that his hakama was tied on backwards and up to his neck. While this…
Meiji Ningyo Restoration, part III
After removing the layers of kimono and juban, I spread them out to air for the night. I wrapped the doll in a tea towel, laid him flat on a table and went to bed. In the morning, I found the smell from the dirty, dusty clothing to be cloying and not particularly pleasant. Even…
A love for both the common fiber and the extraordinary textile @KimonoMomo 