I’ve
recently been reading about Kogin, a traditional Japanese needlework technique,
at Queenie's Needlework blog. This post
includes a number of links to other sources. Included in that post is a link to
Carolyn Foley's blog which has many patterns and much information.
I’ve seen a few kits for tissue holders, pillows, and small bags at the fabric store here, but I
thought they were expensive so I didn’t buy any. On my second trip to the wonderful Mariya store in Sapporo, I noticed a book about kogin. I asked the store clerk if they
sold the fabric and thread. She showed
me fabric, thread, and several other books on the technique. I ended up buying a different book than the
one I originally found, some navy blue fabric and three skeins of kogin
thread, all for less than the cost of a small kit. She said the technique could
also be worked on linen with floss. The
book is in Japanese, but has beautiful photos and illustrations, as well as a
number of different traditional patterns. So far all I’ve done is look at the
book, but I do plan to start a project soon.
Temari
is also a traditional Japanese needlework technique. About eight years ago Ted and I took an introductory
pre-beginner temari class at the NCSU Japan Center with teacher Barbara Suess. This is the ball I made. Unfortunately, Ted’s did not make it to
Japan.
My friend Katherine
taught a temari class at a guild meeting, but so far I haven’t finished that one.
Recently
there was an article on RocketNews24 about a 92 year old woman who learned
temari in her 60’s. Check out the article
and photos here. Her work is incredible!
