Twistedspinster

Silk Kimono

Steph started Day 2 of the class by showing us fabric characteristics. This is a silk kimono, a gift.


I've got the color all screwed up trying to show the stitching here. The chrysanthemum is bright red and hand-embroidered, on brown-black silk. Steph told us this is a rather formal men's kimono. See that little dot at the neck? That's a small good luck fetish, a traditional token.


This is the lining of that same kimono, showing figures of little boys play-acting as samurai. You can see a better view of the samurais by clicking on this picture, then viewing the large size in Flickr.


Here, Steph's showing how well 100% wool can flow and drape. She could go for a second career as Flamenco dancer, don't you think?


Here, Steph's showing how well 100% wool can flow and drape.


Steph told us the story of this kimono- how the silk came from a tie factory! She and a friend were attending a fiber conference, and thought they got a real steal on some silk -- but then somebody told them about the remnant bin at a silk factory.


This is what happens when you ask Steph to show the lining of her kimono...

posted by Ruth S. @ 8:18 PM