graphic + neutral 2

The Japanese keep surprising me with their designs. These two vintage yukata cottons are traditionally dyed yet completely non-traditional in their patterns.

These bolts will arrive with six others in time for Thanksgiving.

prepping for my first trunk show

For the last three weeks, I’ve been getting ready for next weekend’s event. The final count: 165 bolts.

Vintage Japanese Yukata Cotton Trunk Show
QuiltWorks NW
121 107th Ave NE, Bellevue WA

Sat, Sept 25 10 to 6
Sun, Sept 26 12 to 5

More event info is posted on Creating The Hive.

graphic + neutral

These vintage yukata cottons are pretty drab. Perfect yukata fabric for a Japanese man walking to the public bath.

ETA in Seattle: mid-November.

twins!

Rarely do I see two bolts of the same vintage yukata cotton—let alone the same pattern in a different color way. As an identical twin, I understand how two things can be exactly alike and also very different.
These fabrics should arrive in Seattle in mid-November.

just arrived

Fifteen bolts of vintage Japanese cotton arrived today. The antique bolts are not round—instead they’re flat and fat, folded upon themselves many times. These blue and white geometrics are traditionally used for men’s yukatas.

more color!

As I prep for my Trunk Show later this month, I think that the only yukata cottons quilters will want are the indigo and white patterns. Au contraire. Stacie Baumeister, the owner of QuiltWorks Northwest, believes that her customers will love lots of color. (I will let you know how it goes after the sale at the end of the September.)

yukata wraps

I’m in Ottawa this weekend celebrating my father’s 87th birthday. My present for my dad is me! For others, I have small gifts. With no wrapping paper handy, I used some vintage yukata cotton and ribbons.

japanese butterflies

As there are over 125 million Japanese, it makes sense that there would be a lot of different cottons for their summer kimonos. Here are four more butterfly patterns—these ones from the contemporary Heisei era.

I expect these yukata bolts to arrive in Seattle in late October.

van gogh buttterflies and more!

The Japanese render butterflies in endless ways! The butterflies on indigo are simply irresistible.

This bolt is from a collection of eleven I just bought from Osaka that includes a lot of colorful and bold patterns.

blue/green theme

These bolts are for making men’s yukatas. Expect them in early October, just in time for Fall in Seattle.

simply luscious

Vintage yukata fabric like this doesn’t become available very often. These bolts are some of the most gorgeous cottons I’ve imported—in color and design.

noren jacket

Diane Roubal made this jacket for me with three vintage yukata cottons. The “Noren Jacket,” designed by Ruth Vincent for Lorraine Torrence, has a little Japanese-style curtain at the back. I look forward to wearing it to some Okan Arts trunk shows in the coming year—to show shoppers another use for the indigo and white fabrics besides quilting.