Before I left for Japan, I checked to see if there were any vintage kimono shops in the area where I'd be traveling. Alas, I couldn't find any. I had hoped there might be one or two, but there were none that I could find. Most vintage kimono shops are further south in...
Mottainai means 'waste nothing.' It's another way to say, 'waste not want not' or 'reuse, recycle and repurpose.' For me It means to save and honor even the smallest leftover kimono silk scraps. Throw away my scraps? Nope. I keep most all of them for other projects....
I'm back home from Baltimore, all alterations finished and shipped back to their new owners. I'm ready to start new projects, but before I do, I wanted to show off a few jackets that I sold at the show. These were finished just before, then packed, unpacked, displayed...
When I first discovered Japanese kimono silk, it was its intrinsic qualities that I fell in love with. The fabric was sturdy but not stiff, it was soft and draped well but was not limp and had unusual colors that were not weird but were beautiful. I especially loved...
Because Japanese kimonos are built out of rectangular pieces of fabric, there is very little waste. Western clothes, however, are odd shapes, curves and diagonal lines. That means there are piles of leftover scraps. Unless they are very tiny, I keep them. They are way...
I absolutely love the tradition they have in Japan where they layer kimonos on top of kimonos, mixing colors and patterns. Green over orange over blue, checks over flowers over stripes and polka dots. It doesn't seem that it should work, and yet it does. An example...
How about something new for the coming holiday season? Or even better, for a wedding that takes place during the holiday season? This one started with a gorgeous kimono in red and white with green and gold accents. It's decorated with a design of 'noshi' ribbons...
Before we're hit with the full force of summer, how about a nod to the flowers of spring? We've had the best spring here, the flowers are going crazy! Everywhere I look, they are thriving. Besides me and most everyone else I know, the Japanese love nature in all...
In less than a week! The annual ACC Baltimore Craft show will be up and running this next Friday through Sunday. February 21-23. I'm adding, adding, adding new work to bring. Like this pieced jacket in pretty aquas and light greens, a nod to spring. It's relaxing,...
