I kicked off the year with an awful sinus infection that kept me out of my studio, but I did receive a wonderful exciting gift from my hubby. I have wanted to start weaving my own textiles for a while. It feels like the natural progression in my studio work, and now I have a floor loom to explore…

Moving forward again from Dan Tsunagi, the Takenhanezashi stitch is an easy variation that adds a little more pattern and an opportunity for an additional color. The name breaks down to Take (竹): Bamboo, Hane (跳ね): Jump, splash, or spring, and Zashi (刺し): Stitching (from the verb sasu, to stitch/pierce).

Moving forward from Dan Tsunagi and preparing for the Takenhanezashi stitch , I made an error half way through my 2nd direction of stitches. Where I should have alternated the sewing on each row, I mirrored one row and then continued on with alternating. Thankfully this happened at the exact halfway point, so the stitch ended up looking intentional and also beautiful. It essentially looks like the Yamagata stitch, but only one half of it.

Kurguri means ‘go through/under’ and Sashi means stitch. This pattern combines the running stitch foundation we use in Yokogushi with a woven element. Using a contrasting treat for the weave creates more depth, and since the weave is only done on the front side (unless you add it to the back as well), you have 2 patterns in one piece; Kurguri Sashi on the front and Yokogushi on the back…

Komezashi, meaning rice stitch, is a pattern that symbolizes a wish for a rich harvest and abundance. The name comes from the stitch’s appearance, which looks like the kanji character for rice…

Jujuzashi means ‘10 cross stitch’, and the crossing of the lines resembles the kanji character for 10. By sewing over the weft and warp of the fabric, the textile is strengthened and is a wonderful way to decoratively mend clothing. The pattern symbolizes prosperity as it is ever expanding…

Amazing Sashiko workshop at the studio of JunAle. The studio is in a beautiful building with a soaring ceiling. The experience was a small group, 2 other people and myself, which was wonderful and intimate.

‘⁡A textile artist from California, USA visited us for the Hondate Sho-Aizome experience. He has been traveling across Japan, visiting various dyeing and textile specialists, learning through workshops and deepening his understanding of Japanese craft. During his journey, he became interested in Hondate Sho-Aizome,and came all the way to our studio to experience it firsthand.’

A beautiful afternoon workshop at @watanabes_japan 💙 I am endlessly grateful for their sharing of the tradition & history of Aizome, how they lovingly care for their sukumo indigo, tour of the beautiful farm and processing site, and an immersive experience with new friends (and animal friends 🐐)…

I was beyond honored to experience the @aikuma_japanese_dyes 2 day Noren workshop with @tourokuya sensei. The instruction was phenomenal, and I learned several new techniques to expand my dyeing art. We worked on a 2 piece Noren and a smaller fabric piece, and I was able to incorporate my Taino inspired designs as patterns. Being able to honor my ancestors in this workshop made it even more special, and I will treasure these art pieces and the experience forever. I also loved learning about the history of Aikuma- an institution of natural dyeing in Japan.

Yokogushi is the starting point most Hitomezashi patterns, meaning Horizontal rows…

Part of the Awonoyoh Shibori subscription, the Taka Ishii 04 pattern reminds me of the scales of a Coy fish.

Part of the ongoing Awonoyoh Shibori subscription, this pattern Taka Ishii Shibori 06, The current series of this subscription has focused on unique shibori techniques created by Sensei Taka.

A special commission for a Taino friend expecting a new baby, I dyed this 100@ Cotton Muslin baby blanket using Golden Marguerite (grown and harvested at our own Breuwen garden), Logwood, Onion skins, and garlic skins….

This was my first Sashiko Hana Fukin piece. I made this as part of a Sashiko stitching community challenge. The pattern is called Zenizashi. Zenisashi breaks down to ‘Zeni’ meaning money or coins, and ‘sashi’ meaning to string. This refers to the tradition of stringing coins together…

Akiyama (秋山) is a common Japanese surname meaning "autumn mountain," combining Aki(秋 - autumn/fall) and Yama(山 - mountain). Part of the Awonoyoh Shibori subscription, Sensei Taka shared ‘I think this Shibori is one of the most popular Shibori. It is a very modern design. Because of the complexity of sewing this Shibori, the technique is not included in Shibori books around the world. I think it is a very valuable technique to reveal.’