When I saw a vintage kimono made from tulle and silk, I was transfixed by the overlay of the materials. I carefully took the kimono apart, and have combined the fabric with my shibori-dyed paper (Silkspan) into a new composition.
Light plays a role in this piece, bringing out the translucency of the materials. It appears quite opaque and dark when viewed against a solid wall, but when held up to light, all the thin paper and translucent fabrics allow light to pass through.
Special thank you to Azuree Holloway (photographer) and Trevor Holloway (stylist) who took the above photos for Quiltfolk Magazine. My work was featured in the Washington issue in the fall of 2024.
Details
Pool noodles often come in handy in my studio! I use them to roll up thin materials, making them easier to guide through my sewing machine. This two-noodle technique helps keep everything flat. When I start stitching, I slowly unroll the materials as they pass under the needle.
I borrowed a stitching idea from garment making and Korean bojagi (or pojagi as it is sometimes called). The stitching is basically flat-felled seams, which end up encasing all the raw edges under two lines of stitching: think of the seams on your blue jeans, it’s a similar idea.
I love the interplay of different organic patterns, from the antique Japanese fabrics to the papers I dyed in indigo. The curvy wave shapes contrast nicely with the boxy structure of the stitching.
This piece was featured in a solo show I had at the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum in La Conner, WA, in the summer of 2023. I created it with the windows of the museum in mind, to take advantage of light coming through.
藍の海
夜の深さに
夢が舞うAi no umi
Yoru no fukasa ni
Yume ga mauIndigo ocean—
ORIGINAL HAIKU
in the depth of night
dreams begin to dance.
Kibun (Mood) is available for purchase: $3,500 USD plus tax and shipping.
If you would like to purchase this piece, contact me and please mention the name of the artwork in your message. I will send you an emailed invoice, payable by PayPal, credit card or bank transfer. I deliver to the Seattle area, and ship artwork unframed within the U.S.