C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Oct 11, 2011, 12:32 pm
Susan Briscoe is a familiar name to many sashiko stitchers here in the West, and rightfully so. The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook: Patterns, Projects and Inspirations (2005) is a book I would suggest anyone getting started with sashiko would benefit from having in their library. The Ultimate Sashiko ...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Oct 4, 2011, 9:10 pm
As promised, vintage doll items are back in the KimonoMomo Etsy shop. Sending out one or two little fans or tabi at a time was a major hassle, and as I’m getting down to the last of my supplies, I’m offering 8-10 items plus a yard of fabric in each pack. If you are looking to restore an older do...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Oct 3, 2011, 1:41 pm
I had one of those slap-upside-the-head moments a few days ago while reading through a magazine on mid-century architecture. Looking at a page of beautiful gardens, there was an ornament described as being “Arabesque” and resembling something distinctly Arabic in design. Entirely logical, you mi...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 26, 2011, 12:43 pm
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 door to avoid a...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 25, 2011, 4:36 pm
Flowers, Dragons, & Pine Trees: Asian Textiles in the Spencer Museum of Art by Mary M. Dusenbury, Hudson Hills Press, 2004 This is a hefty, coffee table-sized book filled with color photos, maps, and a wide selection of textile items from the Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas, Kansa...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 19, 2011, 11:57 am
Two of my absolute favorite books for kimono and kimono-related research are The Traditional Crafts of Japan, volumes 1 and 2 of an eight volume series on traditional Japanese crafts published by Diamond, Inc. in 1992. The volumes are rich with historical background and gorgeous color photos, and ar...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 12, 2011, 3:07 pm
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...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 1, 2011, 12:13 am
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...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jul 26, 2011, 10:05 pm
I was warned years ago that if I started studying Japanese and didn’t have many opportunities to speak the language, I’d lose it. This has sadly come to pass. Taking a few steps away from my kimono-focused business over the past few months, the words have been gradually slipping away from me. Co...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jun 14, 2011, 2:52 am
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 pro...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Mar 18, 2011, 6:28 pm
This caught my eye as we were featured in the same Etsy treasury today, and I wanted to share the love. A wonderfully kawaii (cute) bear for an important cause. He’s only $26, completely handmade by sleepyking, and all proceeds go to the American Red Cross for Japan. Hurry! He looks lonely. I bet...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Mar 17, 2011, 4:25 pm
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 those in nee...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Mar 14, 2011, 11:21 pm
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 item...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Mar 9, 2011, 2:48 am
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 g...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Dec 9, 2010, 2:39 pm
Thank you, dear Etsy programmers and developers, for finally creating a coupon system that works. I’ll give you guys a big hug when I see you at the next Etsy meetup in San Francisco. Thank you, dear readers, for being such great customers over the years. I’m giving you my first ever Etsy coupo...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Dec 5, 2010, 4:11 pm
When this floral-patterned shibori yukata caught my eye, I just couldn’t say no. I’ve been collecting vintage clothes my whole life (starting with hand-me-down baby clothes when I was an infant) and as some of you vintage collectors know, there are items that have a marvelous vibe to them, as if...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Nov 28, 2010, 2:37 pm
So much to do! On a whim, I offered to host a craft show/open studio December 15th here at Huckleberry House, which means putting together a group of local crafters and setting up tables just about everywhere throughout my home, but I’m looking forward to it. The house is a 1950′s cottage on a t...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Nov 14, 2010, 12:24 am
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 se...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Oct 19, 2010, 3:03 pm
The little fellow is coming home! At long last, our boy is ready to fly!  He is packed and double boxed.  His kimonos are clean but the outer one is oh so fragile.  The dyes and fabric were held together by years of dust.  The black edging around the inner one has been replaced and is quite ...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Oct 8, 2010, 2:04 pm
The weather is cooler, leaves are starting to turn, and I’m still catching up with all the photos I have to edit of new stock, vintage fabrics, and more kimono than you could shake a stick at (but why would you?). To keep things moving as we turn towards Autumn–and Halloween!–I’m offering fr...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 16, 2010, 9:26 pm
Now that I have a dedicated studio space, several sewing machines and a living room all to myself, I’ll be hosting a weekly Stitch n’ Bitch in the San Francisco East Bay area. If you’ve got an urge to get crafty on Tuesday evenings and would like to join in, RSVP and let me know you’d be int...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 13, 2010, 3:08 pm
Pick up a copy of Quilting Arts Magazine’s special Fall 2010 issue of Stitch, turn to page 69, and there’s a new sashiko project in there from me! It’s a birthday present from me to you. Today I’m packing up orders that came in over the weekend, and updating the shop with new and vintage ki...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 11, 2010, 9:14 pm
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 in the morning! That must count for something. ...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Sep 2, 2010, 3:37 pm
So here I am, standing in my new studio space which is TWICE the size of my old studio, and I love it. The glass doll case on my bookshelf is still empty while I await the return of the ningyo, but there’s no rush. I’m still tripping over boxes that have yet to be unpacked, but at least there�...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Aug 6, 2010, 7:30 pm
Between the KimonoMomo shop on Etsy, my new freelance writing/editing gig, the kids’ summer vacation, a nasty cold last week, and preparing to move house in a few days, I’ve had a hard time getting any writing done here on the blog. To update: The ningyo (Japanese doll) project is on hold whil...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jul 24, 2010, 11:13 pm
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 stages of...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jul 19, 2010, 8:11 pm
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 had made him look r...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jul 17, 2010, 4:51 pm
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 the dog agreed, as sh...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jul 6, 2010, 7:56 pm
Loading the doll and his glass case into the back seat of my car, I wedged the case in between some blankets and a sleeping teenager. Another teenager, surly and tired from waiting in the car while I’d chatted with the shop assistant and owner, looked over from the front seat. “Can we go...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jul 4, 2010, 11:29 pm
Wandering through a local estate liquidator’s shop last week, this little fellow caught my eye. He stood in a glass case, carelessly dressed and dreadfully sun faded. His hakama had been tied up as if it were a pinafore, and his face was cracked and poorly repaired. Still, I thought he had a ...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jul 2, 2010, 11:07 pm
Just this week I started three new projects… despite my inability to finish several more from the past two years. Every studio seems to have its share of UFOs (UnFinished Objects), so I don’t feel so bad. Projects One and Two are sashiko pillowcases. The first is a scrap of yukata cotto...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jun 28, 2010, 2:37 pm
With all the craziness of packing, painting, a family wedding, kids getting out of school, etc., I allowed myself to be overwhelmed by all the other things that needed to get done and ended up ignoring things like, oh, my shop and this blog. Whoops. I logged on this morning to check a few orders t...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Jun 6, 2010, 4:42 pm
I survived Fanime and have finally caught up with work and sleep! The next challenge here at Chez Kimono will be to move once again. We’re putting the family homestead on the market and starting fresh this summer. I was born and raised in this house, so it will be very odd not to have it to co...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 25, 2010, 11:29 pm
Apologies for not having my next post up on Monday as I had promised! Preparing for Fanime is a bit like getting ready to run a marathon and I’m already feeling exhausted, but exhilarated as well. The KimonoMomo Etsy shop will be closed starting Wednesday evening May 26 and will reopen someti...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 21, 2010, 7:03 pm
Continued from yesterday’s post, here are four more excellent sashiko books in English. Once again, these are listed by publication date. Quick summary statements are underlined. Click on the title links to purchase. Japanese Country Quilting: Sashiko patterns and projects for beginners by Ka...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 20, 2010, 4:14 pm
I’m going to take this in stages as there are so many books to choose from! Some of the more recent books that I will review tomorrow include those by Sylvia and Kitty Pippen, authors and textile artists who are comfortable taking sashiko and developing it into more than just the typical white...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 19, 2010, 1:06 pm
Japanese craft books, you gotta love ‘em. The bright, clear photos presented in an easy to understand step by step format and abundant diagrams. Never mind if you can’t read Japanese, the visuals alone will get you through the process. Also known as “mooks,” a hybrid of magaz...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 17, 2010, 11:19 am
Every morning after the dog has been fed and the kids shuttled off to school, I sit down at the kitchen table with a plate of last night’s leftovers, a pot of tea and a book or two. On occasion this leads to a loss of appetite, especially when dye techniques that involve dung or photos of dess...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 14, 2010, 6:35 pm
Just a quick reminder, I’ll have a booth at the 6th Annual Asian Heritage Street Festival in San Francisco, CA Saturday, May 15. Please come by, try on a kimono and say hello if you’re in the area!
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 14, 2010, 12:29 pm
(Continued from yesterday’s post, as promised) So how did it fare after the second wash? The blue background color is sharper and clearer, but the splash areas that were once light blue are now white. This does not diminish its attractiveness in my opinion, but I had been hoping to retain the...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 13, 2010, 1:01 pm
Along with shibori and sashiko, I am a sucker for kasuri (絣). Popular in Japan since the Edo era, kasuri (or gasuri) is a double woven ikat, meaning the threads are dyed prior to weaving and the design is in both the warp and weft threads.  Machine woven Bingo kasuri, which constitutes the bulk o...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 12, 2010, 3:00 pm
Please do me a kindness and snap up these fabrics before new ones arrive as I’ll have no place to put them! These are out of print bolts from Kona Bay, In The Beginning and Marcus Brothers, all with Asian/Japanese themed prints. Beautiful stuff, just yearning to be put to creative use. As it i...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 5, 2010, 12:47 pm
First, some not-so-good news: I put in a call yesterday to reorder some of my best selling fabric bolts from Alexander Henry, only to hear that the bolts I want are no longer available. Despite being good sellers, some bolts just don’t have quite enough demand for reprints, which means the war...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - May 4, 2010, 4:07 pm
Thank you for all the orders rolling in! There may be a small delay while we’re still waiting for the paint to dry, but things are moving forward and items are being packed and getting ready to head out very soon. New items will be listed as soon as I have my studio and photo space back. In t...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Apr 29, 2010, 8:30 pm
The KimonoMomo shop will be closed for a few days while the painting is being completed in the studio. Everything should be up and running again by Tuesday, with new items to be listed. Stay tuned!
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Apr 26, 2010, 7:38 pm
I am finding so many good things while getting ready to have the studio painted. When the physical part of cleaning and sorting gets tedious, I take a break and clean out old files from the KimonoMomo website. Among them I found this, a shot from several years ago when I dressed the staff of a child...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Apr 23, 2010, 12:11 pm
First, the Pretty Things: You know how I’m always asking for you readers to send me photos of items you make with the fabrics from my shop? It’s because I sincerely enjoy seeing what you make! Meisen Pinwheel Clutch Bag by Kaz Style Like it? I do. Kaz of Kaz Style is a talented stitche...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Apr 15, 2010, 10:59 pm
What’s that, you say? Remember the indigo I polled about last week? It’s here. And boy, was I surprised when I pulled it from the package. This is not quite what I expected, but I sure do like it! Engi mon zukushi translates roughly to a collection of small treasures. What I had at firs...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Apr 14, 2010, 7:43 pm
Remember to post your response to this post today to get your name in the drawing for one of two mini bundles of indigo colored fabrics from my stash. I’ll draw a name later tonight… … and the winners are trinlay & LJ! Contact me with your info so I can get these out to you soon. ...
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C Z. posted an article on The Ardent Thread - Apr 13, 2010, 7:57 pm
After handling these fabrics for several years, I often forget that many people have never seen a bolt (called a tan) of Japanese fabric, much less a kimono. Here are my thoughts on a question I am often asked: Why is the fabric so narrow? This is a bit of a chicken-and-egg question, as I’m ...
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