I’m finally cutting into my nani iro woodblock pocho double gauze. Translation: I’m sewing a dress.
Photo from Instagram.
Washi-Deco iPhone Case
I can’t believe it took me so long to think of this.
A basic plastic iphone case I bought at the 100 yen shop covered in some of my favorite mt tape. I wouldn’t trust these cases to save my phone from a major drop, but they look pretty cool in all their neon glory.
Knot Funny
Special occasion cards in Japan have these cool wire bows on them. They are shaped like cranes or flowers and can get pretty elaborate. Cards like these are meant to hold money, and you can buy a simple one at any 100 yen shop or convenient store, or spend a small fortune on one to hold the small fortune that is your gift.
When I first moved to Japan I noticed this type of packaging and thought it was neat, but then gradually I stopped thinking about them. They are commonplace and like fermented beans for breakfast or Auld Lang Syne at closing time, I’ve come to accept their existence without question. On the few occasions when I have needed to buy a fancy card, I asked the shop keeper to help me pick out something appropriate so I wouldn’t accidentally give a funeral card to someone on their wedding day. (Though, that thought is a little funny.)
Dan and I recently went to Nagano and were invited to a craft class to learn mizuhiki, this fancy bow art. Mizuhiki are made from cords of tightly wound washi paper that is starched and colored and twisted into shapes. They were popularized during the Edo era as samurai hair accessories and are now used as decoration to convey well wishes. Our sensei told us to choose three colored cords and because I am a cocky over achiever I chose four. We opted to make bookmarks, followed the instructions printed for us and were left alone to figure it out.
The trick is to maintain the same order of your colors throughout the design, even through the curves and weaving. Tighten one too much and it pops out of place and then you have to loosen the entire thing to right it again. Let me assure you, it is harder than it looks.
ps, you can now follow my blog with Bloglovin. (^_－)－☆
Blue Waltz Dress
I haven’t bought new clothes in a while because every time I see something I like in a store I find a detail or something that isn’t quite right and convince myself to make it instead. This would be fine if I actually made the thing.
I finished my wool Hollyburn skirt just in time for … spring. As the weather warmed up, wearing a full wool skirt felt silly. And hot. So I tried to think a season ahead when choosing my next sewing project. Enter the Elisalex dress in Nani iro blue waltz.
Tokyo’s summers are really hot and linen dresses are ideal. A lot of Nani iro fabric comes in this linen-cotton blend or double gauze cotton, which are great for sweaty Japanese summers. Coincidence? I think not.
I love the way this dress fits. The bodice is lined and just the right amount of snug.
I made a muslin for this dress which helped me decide to lengthen the bodice an inch. The muslin is still wearable though I’m not in love with the fabric, so I have designated it as my clean-the-house dress. Scrubbing floors in a dress = much more fun than scrubbing floors in sweatpants.
I went with an exposed zipper using this tutorial by Gretchen Hirsch and after seeing this tip by Closet Case Files added a very thin interfacing to give the skirt a little more poof. I don’t have a full-length mirror and now that I see these photos I might shorten the hem to the knees. I purchased the Nani iro from Miss Matatabi and lined the bodice in an orange and red cotton voile from my stash.
Summer, bring it on.
Stampin’ Tramp
One of my favorite stores in Japan is Muji. I want to be surrounded by linen and organizational shelves always. I was at the Yurakucho location last week when I wandered across this:
Stamps. So many stamps.
For those who aren’t familiar with Muji, their concept is brand-less minimalism. You can buy stuff to hide your stuff you want to pretend you didn’t buy.
I get a lot of stationary supplies at Muji because I like the kraft paper style I can cover in washi tape, and I have so much washi tape I have to put it somewhere. This stamp setup is a touch of genius on Muji’s part. They encourage you to buy your notebooks before stamping and then come back into the store to decorate them. The stamp table is next to the bakery which is next to the cafe. Before you know it you are there all day. Not that I speak from experience or anything.
The notebooks are inexpensive and the stamp table feels welcoming and accessible. My only reservation is that this whole thing is too similar to one of my favorite specialty stationary stores, DBROS. Check this out, from their website:
Hrmm. I love DBROS, but admittedly their shop is intimidating. I rarely use their stamps because I am nervous I will make something ugly and the very hip shop staff will smile at me too encouragingly. But their stamps are more interesting and they have iPhone cases and really high quality papers to chose from.
The stamp styles at Muji and DBROS are so similar it made me wonder if they are a collaboration, but a quick google search has led nowhere. I’ll keep investigating. In the meantime, what do you think? Is the Muji stamp for everyman a good thing? The similarities between then two certainly made me uncomfortable, but did not stop me from decorating a 100 yen notebook I didn’t really need.
Spring Circle Scarf
While visiting the Kawaii Nunohaku craft fair last month I bought two small pieces of fabric from a Kamakura-based shop owner. The fabric was a beautiful pairing and I knew right away that I wanted to use them in a scarf.
I know nothing about these fabrics except that the colorful one is incredibly soft and light, is screen or maybe woodblock printed, and the other is linen. It might be hand-printed, too. I decided to make a circle scarf like the one I saw on Miss Matatabi’s site. I cut each piece into two 12″ by 30″ rectangles and sewed the short ends together. Following the directions here, I sewed the two fabrics together along their long edges then turned the scarf right-side-out, hiding the seams and pressing it crisp. I joined the remaining short ends and finished it with hand-stitching.
I’m really pleased.
The *New* Tokyo Craft Guide
I’m really excited to share the news — I’m writing a book!
My friend Frances of Miss Matatabi and I have joined forces to put together the Tokyo Craft Guide, an ebook showcasing our favorite Tokyo craft shops, cafes, and project tutorials.
*\(^O^)/*
We have accumulated a list of over 50 craft stores (!!) and organized them in a series of craft-shopping-excursions complete with illustrated neighborhood walking maps, shop highlights, and favorite cafe spots. It is like a treasure map with the best kind of treasure – fabric! ribbon! buttons!
The idea for the Tokyo Craft Guide was born when we realized our favorite independently-owned craft stores are sometimes hard to find. They require extra effort to get to, but when you do you’re rewarded with lovely nooks of fabric, supplies and project inspiration, each with its own character or style. This is the type of experience we want to share.
The Tokyo Craft Guide ebook will be available next month, and in the meantime you can visit our blog for additional shop profiles, events and interviews. Much of the content I have offered previously on Saké Puppets will move over there and get a much-needed update, so fear not! You can also find photos and Japanese craft chatter on our Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
We’re really excited to finally share this project with you! Please take a look, and thanks!!
