two turquoise sisters

Sharing a similar palette, these two bolts have similar yet very different patterns.

hybrid patterns

Both these bolts have a mixture of patterns working together to make exciting overall compositions.

three motifs

This yukata bolt has glowing pink flowers, white polka dot butterflies and two-tone blue stems with leaves on a bright red background. Absolutely a mishmash yet at the same time a dynamic composition.

happy garden

The warm gray background of this yukata cotton makes the flowers, leaves and butterflies shout with joy.

first irises of the season

Purple and yellow irises on a bright grass green background radiate the new life of springtime.

pretty on indigo

Thick white outlines around the mid-tone colors create a fresh effect on the traditional indigo background.

simply blue

Just black, white and blue—all very understated yet intriguing and arty.

bowtie butterflies

My favorite part of this radical butterfly pattern is the olive-green antennae. It's all very unusual!

high school colors

Purple and gold are the colors of Glebe Collegiate Institute in Ottawa, Canada, where I went to school. I have this same lily pattern with a red background and it’s luscious.

pink puffballs

I may be the only person who likes this bolt. I find the unexpected pattern very appealing.

dark and handsome

This cotton bolt for a man’s yukata is a bright blue on darkest indigo blue geometric pattern.

ornamental night garden

Petite colorful blossoms and butterflies float on a midnight black background.

thread balls

Decorated with Temari, Japanese thread balls, the effect is mesmerizing on the purple hemp-patterned background. Temari, a thousand-year-old craft, were traditionally given as gifts.

crackle texture

Neutral gray with warm brown make a handsome background for this subtle blossom motif.

perfect stripes

As simple as can be, indigo blue and white stripes are an impeccable pattern.

floral indigo

Both these bolts are wonderful examples of indigo-dyed cotton with vivid graphics accented with white linework. The top flowers are like flat pinecones while the bottom ones are defined by dots and stripes.

emerald butterflies

Mint green squares and white butterflies set off the forest green background of this yukata bolt.

multi-delight

This bolt is intriguing due to its color palette. Green and red, true opposites, make the pattern pop.

dainty daisies

Petite flowers are as fresh as can be with an indigo and white color combo.

kindergarden crazy

This bolt is too cool. I love the naive shapes, unusual palette and little white firefly glows.

fidelity flowers

This black and white pattern on red bolt is particularly bold in its linework.                                     

dragonfly melody

A soft gray background and cream dragonflies are accented with high-contrast dragonflies.

denim day lilies

This quasi-monochromatic bolt is gorgeous. I like the little bit of red and white with the two blues.

star blossoms

The crispness of white with red/yellow/pink flowers and blue/green stems is fresh and fun.

complex indigos

This bolt features a luscious set of patterns on patterns in various tints of indigo.

crisp geos

 Traditional white and indigo patterns, these bolts are used for making men’s yukatas.

gold and glitter

It’s a toss-up as to whether this fabric is incredible or ugly. It certainly is unique, that's for sure, with its bursts of golden fireworks and white brushstrokes on a purple sky.

gypsy rose

A batik-style motif, the bolt comes alive with gold and pink flowers, white leaves colored with some green, and mauve graphics in the background.

hawaiian blues

This blue-on-blue tropical motif emotes a casual and relaxed feel.

glow and glow

When I was in New Zealand in March, I toured a bona fide glow worm cave. The insect larvae live in the dark and glow like miniature constellations on the ceilings in the limestone caves. These yukata fabrics are exciting with a white glow halo around the flora patterns and the intriguing backgrounds.