kimono silk

New Pieced Coat

August 8, 2021 2 Comments

A brand new coat, finished just yesterday. Pieced from very dark, almost black, navy and white kimono silks.

These are ‘tsumugi’ silks, a gorgeous textured fabric. Unlike a smooth and shiny silk, this kind had a rugged quality that gives it more of a rustic look.

The detail below shows the weave. You can just see the slubs and rough surface. It’s not ‘noil,’ an inexpensive silk woven from the broken ends of the fibers. Instead, Tsumugi is woven from odd shaped and irregular cocoons, so the fibers are thicker and more uneven. It is stronger than the smooth silks used in formal kimonos and is prized for its sturdiness and strength.

The back.

I’ll be adding this coat and other new work, to my upcoming shop in the American Craft Council’s online show: Atlanta/Southeast Craft Week.

Online September 20-26. Can’t wait!

New Jackets

January 31, 2021 8 Comments

We’re all different sizes and shapes. Which is good! If we were all the same, how boring would that be? My job is to make sure I have enough variety, so that everyone, no matter their size, has something that will fit them. Recently my size large pieces were gone and I needed to add in some new ones.

Do you remember this new shape? My car coat, comfortable, easy to wear and looks good on. A new one, just finished in this oh so cool and beautiful tsumugi double ikat. Double ikat means that before it was woven, the threads used for this kimono silk were dyed. First they dyed the warp and weft threads and then they wove them.

Amazing, yes?

Tsumugi, is a tightly woven crisp fabric. It’s loved not only because it is beautiful, but also because the tight weave is good for warmth.

A new trench, sewn from a beautiful navy chirimen kimono silk. Chirimen is a kind of heavy crepe. The design on this one is a lattice covered with wisteria and other flowers. Scattered through are phoenix birds.

The phoenix is a mythological creature that is a symbol for long life, the sun, rebirth and renewal. It is said to die in flames and is reborn from the ashes of its predecessor. Can you see it? It’s red with a flowing tail.

And a black and white ‘lotus’ top, a tunic length hitoe. It’s an unlined top, somewhere between a blouse and a jacket. My tunic length version has flattering princess seams and side slits at the hem. This one is sewn from a bold, abstracted, very cool, cherry blossom design. The facing is a black and white confetti print design. The black sleeves and the back are a woven, basket weave kimono silk.

A close up detail to show the little bits of red in the flower centers and the beautiful confetti print inside the collar.

I’ve just added these three pieces to my shopping page. More photos of each are there, check them out here!

New Scarves

December 6, 2020 5 Comments

All of you who sew know that scraps tend to pile up. For years I tried different ideas with what to do with them. A friend suggested scarves. It’s obvious, isn’t it? But it took me a while to figure out exactly how to make them. After many attempts, I came up with a design that I was pleased with. [a good sign!] My customers at the craft shows agreed.

In the beginning, most of my time was spent sewing jackets, coats, tops and skirts. I needed help with the scarves. At first, amazing Angie helped to sew them, then Beate and now wonderful Kimberly and my long time friend, Becky.

But covid! And no craft shows! So we slowed everything down and Kimberly and Becky went on temporary hiatus.

With no in person craft shows, I shifted my focus to my online shop.

Then, when the American Craft magazine offered ad space, I thought, why not? I put one together about scarves.

Scarves are perfect for our new online reality. Each is a one of a kind piece of art-to-wear. Plus, one size fits all. A scarf adds a bit of color and pizazz, something we’re all looking for these days. A bit of pizazz.

It worked! Between the ad and the Smithsonian virtual show my scarves were finding homes. I needed more. Which is why one of things things I’ve been doing lately is sewing scarves.

It is so much fun! And relaxing and meditative. And compared to the coats and jackets I’ve been working on, quick. No beads or hand appliqué or complicated clothing construction.