October mini - sashiko wall hanging

Here's my mini quilt for October - a little indigo wall hanging with sashiko, using indigo from Nogawa that I got in March when I visited Japan (this was before we had any idea we'd be moving back here!).

I don't know why it's hard to photograph indigo (I know there's a scientific reason but I don't know what it is) but, the above photo shows the indigo color best.

These classic patterns are in Kazuko Yoshiura's book: 

The Dark indigo stained my fingers blue as I worked - I didn't mind;).  I hand quilted it simply in the ditch just to keep the layers together, and then finished with a self binding. 

I loved combining applique with sashiko.... will do that again sometime. 

A friend snapped this photo while I was doing a little sashiko show and tell.  Little did I know that my "Memories of Tokyo" quilt would live back in Japan;).  

In the meantime, Halloween time approaches... we do see glimpses of neighborhood parades or parties, and treats like these  (heavily stylized, packaged in plastic, and expensive) in the stores... 

I doubt we will get many trick or treaters - we live in a traditional Japanese apartment building - but I'm prepared with a bowl of Reeses and Skittles - precious loot brought to us from the U.S. last month by David's brother Joey;).  It's a miracle I haven't eaten all of it! 

On the healthier side, feeling like little kids, we are having fun with our little "Gawoow" (?!) bowl for microwaving popcorn, ha ha.  It collapses for easy storage.  

1/4 C popcorn, a splash of olive oil, cover, 3 minutes in the microwave, a shake of salt - YUM. 

On another note, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of listening to this novel on Audible - I highly recommend it -- you won't want it to end! 

When Wendy (The Constant Quilter) posts the October minis, I will link HERE.... so that you can go see some others!  Thanks for the challenge Wendy;).  

xo

Cynthia 

Shopping for quilting and sashiko supplies in Tokyo

This is a post for local friends looking for quilting and sashiko supplies in Tokyo.  I will try to add photos and update this over time!

YUZAWAYA ユザワヤ ("house of handmade hobbies")  - multiple locations - more detailed post about Yuzawaya here. 

The biggest Yuzawaya is out in Kamata, spread over multiple buildings.  You can truly find *everything* there including anything at all for sashiko, and an extensive array of fabrics.  I also hear the Kichijoji location is excellent.  If you can get to one of those locations easily, that's awesome.

My closest Yuzawaya is small - it's in Ginza.  Travel to Ginza station (it's being renovated now and can be confusing, but follow the signs carefully for exit A4 - which takes you into the small GINZA CORE department store.  Yuzawaya is on the 6th floor of GINZA CORE).

It's a fine Yuzawaya for notions of all kinds.  Limited selection of fabric; modest collection of sashiko thread.  (I recommend off white, not white, when you want that classic look of white on indigo.  It will read "white" but not be too "cold").

Marking implements of all kinds, as well as "chaco paper" in several colors for transferring designs onto fabric.

The red tracing pen you want to use when tracing your own sashiko patterns onto your fabric.  It's like an empty ball point pen.   Layer your design with a piece of cellophane to protect your pattern.

TOMATO in NIPPORI (fabric town):  Always crowded, always fabulous.   Mainly great for FABRIC.   

Use Google Maps to navigate to Nippori Station (I actually take the Chiyoda Line to Nishi Nippori Station, which makes for a little more complicated walk - still figuring that one out) and navigate towards the main TOMATO store (with the big sign) up ahead on your left.

(Stop into Mihama - a tiny shop on the corner, selling precuts, packaged in plastic - great bargains).

A few doors before the main TOMATO store is the tiny Tomato notions shop.

Good price for Clover sashiko needles and other notions - slightly cheaper than Yuzawaya:

Then go on to the main TOMATO store.  The first floor is the bargain floor.  Always worth a good look.  This is the most crowded area of the store.  Lines can be long for cutting (1/2 meter minimum) and for purchasing.

You pay for purchases separately on each floor.

Fabric suitable for sashiko is on the 4th floor.  Look for fabric that is woven.  This is really great for sashiko (maybe 1600 yen per meter?).  It comes in different colors.

Some of the gorgeous very expensive indigo is harder to stitch through, actually.  Hold your fabric up to the light to gauge the weave.  Ask a clerk if you aren't sure.  Text me anytime.

BLUE AND WHITE in Azabu Juban 

A boutique gift shop - very inspiring.  Exit 7 (Oedo line) or 4 (Namboku line) in Azabu Juban.  They sell beautiful top quality indigo, for a price, and sometimes have lengths of vintage indigo.  They sometimes stock sashiko thread, some of which is lovely hand dyed indigo.  While you are there, ask about their monthly sashiko classes.   This is where I took classes from Kazuko Yoshiura for two years when I lived in Tokyo previously. 

While you are in Azabu Juban.... stroll around the little shops.  There's a sweet office supply store called Hiranoha - I love their seasonal stationery sets.  There is a tenugui shop called Asanoha.  Keep walking towards Roppongi Hills and on the way there's a great Singapore Chicken place called Hainan Jeefan Shokudo.  Going the other direction, down the hill from Blue and White, closer to exit 4 is Afuri Ramen - yum.  Also, a little burrito place called Friholes.  Around the corner from Friholes is one of my favorite bakeries - Mont Thabor - for irresistible round loaves of sweet milk bread to take home.  Ya, I miss living in this neighborhood!  Oh, and the French frozen foods place - Picard - downstairs next to Blue and White - we've found a few favorites there. 


KAWAGOE SHRINE SALE - the 28th of each month.  A trek, but a fun place to go to find vintage indigo.  I haven't been there since we lived here 2011-2013.


IDEAS FOR FUTURE EXCURSIONS: 

1.  KANDA - sounds like a great place for thread.  Here's a really thorough blog post from a former expat about FABRIC SHOPPING IN EAST TOKYO

2.  Little shops in Nishi Ogikubo (near Kichijoji)

That's all for now -

xo
Cynthia

Enthronement... and log cabins

Yesterday it was a rainy Tuesday, and David had the day off work, for a special national holiday for Emperor Naruhito's Enthronement Ceremony.  We put it on TV.  It was so colorful, and so, so still.  Completely and utterly quiet.  The only sound came from footsteps, or an occasional crow cawing outside.  The Emperor and Empress had to stand stock still, for so long, in what must be quite heavy multi layered robes - it was amazing.

I was trimming blocks during the ceremony and I kept jumping up to take photos of the TV -

The tone was ceremonial, private, solemn.  There was no hint of "performance" or "entertainment."  Visiting dignitaries watched on monitors in a nearby but separate space. 

The TV commentary was very minimal, and scripted.

The Heisei era started in January 1989 and ended at the end of April 2019.  The Reiwa era began in May of this year.  There was going to be a parade today, but it has been postponed so that efforts can be directed towards typhoon relief.

And on the opposite end of the regal spectrum.... during the ceremony I finished the last few log cabin blocks for David's quilt, and I trimmed them all up.

Out of 80 blocks, about 5 of them really are a hair too small, by 1/8" or so, but I think it's going to be ok.

I think I will always remember finishing these up on the day of the new Emperor's Enthronement ceremony.  My friend Christina suggested naming it Reiwa - a good idea I think.

David helped me decide on a layout - I moved all our furniture out of the way!  I knew all along I wanted to use the Sunshine and Shadow setting.  

If option A, I will bind it with a light binding: 

And if Option B, a dark binding (see how nice this looks against the dark floor): 

I made a quick decision.  Any guesses? ;) 

xo

Cynthia 

sashiko, typhoon, Asakusa Ufufu

It was a strange week here.  We were hit with the biggest storm in decades.  For most of us, all was and is well, but for some, the big typhoon brought flooding, landslides, evacuation, even tragic loss of life.

David and I were grateful to be in our sturdy building, on the 5th of 8 floors, with no loss of power or water.  We were prepared with plenty of food, flashlights, and all devices fully charged.  We kept our heavy outer curtains closed, and hunkered down.  (I just looked up the literal definition of "hunker down" and came across this funny definition from urban dictionary.  No, we did not play this game - but we ate plenty of junk food). 

Empty shelves at our neighborhood "conbini" (convenience store):

It was a time for ... Netflix, reading, stitching.  I'm working on a new, small sashiko project -

We had 30+ hours of continuous heavy rain.  Some strong winds, and even a small earthquake in the middle of it all.

The next morning we were happy to see this old soul still standing strong in our nearby park:

A couple days before the storm, I was at sashiko class at Blue and White, where all the talk was on storm prep.  I finished sewing up this little pouch - for keeping my sashiko things tidy and portable.  Design is by our sensei, Kazuko Yoshiura.

The motif is scissors or thread snips -  hasami (はさみ) -

I prefer using small scissors on a lanyard when I stitch:

Meanwhile, I've started to introduce sashiko to some ladies here from my church, in small groups now and then, casual and simple - but I keep forgetting to take photos!  Small groups are ideal for learning just about anything!

In other news, last week a few of us went to the nearby neighborhood of Asakusa.  It has an old Japan feel -- well, with a touristy veneer.  Just off the beaten path is this charming gift shop, Ufufu, where we saw so many treasures - bags and wonderful furoshiki (風呂敷) wrapping cloths.  Corrie and I had met the owner, Ito-san, at a class we took together.

Not *everything* in my life needs to be indigo! ;)

Julie W, Corrie, Ito-san, me, Aya

Here's another group of friends - hope they enjoyed their photo shoot.  

They stood stock still for so long - good little doggies.  You never know what you might see on the streets of Tokyo. ;) . 

Thanks for reading - til next time -

xo
Cynthia