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