Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Joyce's Kimonos

The DCWS Guild enjoyed a presentation / trunk show from Joyce's Kimono Closet.
Joyce has a passion for kimonos which began while she was living in Japan.  She has accumulated an extensive collection of them from attending 'shrine sales', which are somewhat like our flea market sales.   Joyce still enjoys travelling to Japan and shopping for kimonos.  She often re-purposes used kimonos into western style clothes, pillows, table runners and wall hangings.

The kimono starts out as a 'bolt' of fabric, which is completely embellished and ready to be sewn.


There are 7 parts to the kimono and they are carefully laid out on the roll, which is only about 13" wide.  The kimono is lined and all hand stitched together.  To clean a kimono it is completely taken apart, laundered and then resewn ... a very costly endeavour.

A bridal kimono
Young women and Geisha wear the long sleeve kimonos.  Bright colours are for younger people. When the women marry the kimono sleeves become shorter and the colours darker as they age.
A formal kimono is usually black and worn to weddings, graduations and important celebrations.

Joyce demonstrating how to wear a kimono
 The kimono is a one size fits all garment.  It is folded and tied to fit the individual.




A wedding kimono made into a bedspread and pillows
The Obi is about 15' long and chosen, not by colour, but for its elements to match the kimono.
Joyce makes beautiful wall hangings or table runners from used Obis.

Obi



Trying on and getting a closer look.   Lovely fabrics!


Tuesday, March 7, 2017

March Winds bring Warm Fibre Creations

Its been a long winter for us Canadians and it hasn't lost its grip on the wet West Coast of British Columbia.  We are usually doing our annual flower count in February in lovely Victoria.  This year we are watching storm after storm blow our way.   Those of us lucky enough to have Fibre Arts as a pastime are putting our warm woolies to good use and using the 'indoor' days to create new projects.

DCWS organized Victoria's annual 'Spin In', held on February 18th.  Some 80 people enjoyed spinning with friends and shopping at the vendor booths at the Saanich Fair grounds.    A few purchases made it to our March - Show & Tell.   Heres a sampling of the goods ....can't wait to see some of it spun up.





The spinning wheels have been working overtime.  Just look at this lovely handspun by Johanne.



Projects that had been lingering were finished up during our 'productive' bad weather days.

Elaine's Mohair / Wool Blanket


Judy's Towels and Bags

Jan B's Projects




Cathy's Creations

ANWG 2017 Conference is being held in Victoria June 30 - July 2nd. Visit their website for registration and workshop details.   www.anwgconference2017.com   The conference theme is 'treadle lightly'.

Anita has been busy on the ANWG Executive planning committee and still had time to weave up a scarf to wear at the conference.  In keeping with the 'treadle lightly' theme, she made good use of the leftover warp, creating a small purse and eyeglasses containers.

Beautiful