Kimono! Kimono! Kimono!

GREETINGS! What a way to enter an exhibit! The first thing you see as you enter the gallery space is this lovely impressive kimono.........................................

 

Kimono: Textiles and Traditions from Japan
This special presentation is at TACtile Arts Center in Denver.

 

  

The opening reception included not only wine along with savory and sweet treats but a mini fashion show.  There will be other exciting happenings during the showing of this exhibit--check the webpage.

The room was filled with delightful costumes from Japan--some used for formal occasions while others were for every day wear.

Kimono are T-shaped, straight-lined robes worn so that the hem falls to the ankle, with attached collars and long, wide sleeves.  Kimono are wrapped around the body, always with the left side over the right (except when dressing the dead for burial.), and secured by a sash called an obi which is tied at the back, as shown in the following photo.

This fabric looks to be either weft or warp ikat.  Kimonos can be worn by men, women and children. 

This garment had a lovely painted scene around the bottom of the silk fabric.

More awesomeness! 

Looking closely--one can see where tiny threads have been tied to give this Shibori technique

Love this touch of shibori on the Obi.

More shibori technique

If you love Japanese textiles as I do, this is a must visit!  I'm hoping to attend one of the special events planned during this exhibit.  Maybe I'll see you there too!

July 7th, 1-3pm - Tea Ceremony demonstration

July 12th & 13th, 6pm - Fashion show, Kimono: A Thing to Wear

July 20th - Kimonos in Your Wardrobe workshop

July 21st, 1-3pm - Oshi-e workshop

August 3rd, 1-3pm - Furoshiki: A Very Practical Cloth workshop

Justa Stitchin'

First off, we must shout praises for friend Judy's completion of this lovely "Red Ridge Beauty"!  Actually, it's Blue Ridge Beauty from Bonnie Hunter but Judy loves RED so this one is definitely a beauty!

I really like the way she brought in the stripe fabric for the border as well as the binding--way to go Judy!!

We are a stitchin' on a couple of shawls--this one is  designed by Tetiana Otruta and called Leaf Evolution

I'm using this lovely yarn that I had in my stash, but lo, knowing I would not have enough to finish I bought another skein from Noble Knits.  They have free--yes, free--shipping within the US!  Okay, so I now plenty of yarn to finish this shawl over the summer.

So what did I do?  I wound the skein from Noble Knits and promptly left it on the ball winder!!  Can you believe??!! well, I can................

We are almost to the end of the second skein and will wait till end of summer to finish--you see, the third skein on the ball winder is at my Texas home and we are in Colorado for the summer.  I could solve this problem and purchase another skein from Noble Knits.............but, alas, I would have an extra skein on hand--bummer! 

The other shawl I'm stitchin'  is from designers Cristi H. Brockway and Rosi Garmendia--The Soapy Turtles and it is called "There Be Dragonflies".  The first yarn is handspun, hand dyed from the studio of Dicentra Designs



Oh bother (as Winnie the Pooh would say) I ran out of handspun yarn--what to do?  what to do?  dig in the stash and here's what I found.....

This mohair yarn is from Brooks Farm and is perfect!  And in the meantime, you'll never guess what I did............................                                         

 

I began a new shawl!  Yes, I know--what do I need with another shawl?  Good question!  Guess I just love working with these charts and seeing the pattern progress.  I love using Goodreader app from Apple on my I Pad.  Stitchin' on............................

 

Finished!  Here is a view of the added mohair yarn to the handspun.  I got lazy and didn't continue with beads through the mohair section--besides, figured they wouldn't show up anyway.

 This was interesting knit--although I didn't knit all the repeats as suggested on the pattern.  I'm sure I would have definitely run out of yarn!  I do like the border lace.

Laid out for blocking--glad to have this off the needles so I can concentrate on other WIPs (works in progress)

Independence Day!!

Let's Celebrate!

Let Freedom Ring!!

And We Stand Up and Proudly Say "I'm an American"!!

Fall into Summer.............

Okay, we know it's summer! Yes, it's a hot, dry and hazy summer here in Colorado this year! But, working with fall fabrics during these hot dog days of summer seems the right thing to do!

I'm not using just any fall fabrics but well 'aged' ones--this is a kit that was purchased back in 2008 or was it 2009?  Who can remember?  But it has been well aged and just waiting around for the perfect time.  And as you can see from the price tag, a great price too!

Let's look at the fabrics and instructions--what only one page!!??

Interesting fact about this kit--the pattern comes from our Texas area and I purchased it at Colorado shop--Great American Quilt Factory (may it rest in peace!)

It looks to be one of those Block of the Month clubs (BOM)  As here is first month fabrics.

And there was a second and third month, as well as fourth (with coupon to purchase backing fabric--too bad I'm looking at this 6 years down the road!) and fifth month which included border and binding fabrics

Assemble the blocks--here is Maple Leaf laid out before sewing

Maple Leaf constructed

And Shoo-fly block--now combined 24 of each and you have the center of the quilt.........I developed an assemble line for sewing these blocks together--but, still after cutting all those fabrics, making HSTs (half square triangles), and sewing--it all became very boring.  But, I know in the end this will make a lovely quilt which will go to either an Oklahoma tornado victim or wildfire victim.  Even if it is boring work, I know in my heart, this will give someone comfort during those cold months.

Still trying to decide what borders to apply to this top.  The pattern shows HSTs after the first border, then a second 2"border ending with a piano key border--well, I'm not ready to make more HSTs again so am thinking this one through as the top lies on the floor while I audition several ways to complete this rather busy quilt.  It definitely needs something to give the eyes some rest......................

Quilt Studio

Even if you are not a quilter, you will find that Spun exhibit at the Denver Art Museum will hold something of interest for you. As you enter the front doors of the Hamilton Building, you will see this off to the left of the entrance.

Here you can explore the world of contemporary quilting.  On weekends there are demonstrations by local artists.  Here you can try your hand at assorted quilting techniques.

The front windows hosts a display of two quilts.

There is a hands-on area for you to create your crazy quilt block.

Cruise by several other quilting techniques that are displayed on the board

Several stitching techniques are also on display

How about some hands on quilting?

And need a hint as to the supplies required for quilting?

And who doesn't love buttons?

Friend Judy uses the magnetic board to design her own unique quilt block.

Here on this table is an example of a  top waiting for quilting stitches to bind it into a finished quilt 

Want to practice quilting stitches?  Here's your chance..............Hands down this is an excellent way to see quilting and experience quilting up close.