Indigo jackpot in Nishi-Ogikubo

It seems that for almost a year I've really been on the hunt for good indigo cloth off the bolt.  Not navy cotton, but that elusive beautiful indigo.

Yuzawaya has a passable fabric (198 yen per 10 cm), which I was happy to find, and am using for the little sashiko sampler classes I'm doing at church.

This repro fabric is pretty cool: 

Then recently my sashiko teacher at Blue and White provided me with some much better indigo fabric, for the same price, but I know I'm inconveniencing her when I ask, and I see her only once a month.

I have found many wonderful vintage pieces at flea markets, for a price, as well as beautiful swatches at Blue and White (they purchase it from an itinerant indigo peddler who visits the shop now and then).

(The dark blue kasuri above was a gift from Queenie.  Gorgeous.)

And in that hole-in-the-wall shop Natasha helped me find, I did find some beautiful taupe 55% linen, 45% cotton (or the other way around) at a fair price, pictured here next to a navy:

But still not that deep pool of indigo.

Then the other day while exploring a new neighborhood full of antiques and artsy boutiques, my friends and I hit the JACKPOT without even trying.

Take the North Exit at Nishi-Ogikubo station,

Find the Koban (police station - there are small ones on many corners - and the police are always willing and happy to help with directions) and ask for an "Antiques Shops Map."

The map shows 61 shops and cafes, with names like "UNTIDY Art and Objects to Use" and "Mood" and "Gallery Bowknot".  Most of the names are in kanji but the map is very clear and shows four clusters of shops around the station.  All of it is walkable/browsable within a few hours.

The streets were quiet and quaint, and it was great to just walk around what felt like Japan without another Westerner in sight.

This was a new cafe opening - lots of congratulatory flowers from neighboring businesses on display. You can see us in the reflection of the glass - plus a waiter waving to us - so funny!

More silliness at a combini (convenience store):

We were looking for Store #33 - because next to the shop name the map read in English "Quilt and Old Textiles."  Could this unassuming spot be it?

Maybe... 

Yes!  And what's more, once inside it gradually became clear, from some photos on the wall, that this was the workshop of a well known Japanese quilting sensei, Shizuko Kuroha, who famously uses indigo in her work.

I had just caught a glimpse of her at that Edo quilt show at Mitsukoshi Department Store last week.  She was standing in front of her quilts, giving a talk to an attentive crowd (I knew I wouldn't understand a single word, so I didn't pause to listen).

Cotton indigo for sale?  Why, yes!

These nice ladies were busy cutting pieces for their sensei (in Japan much of the work of the big-name quilters is actually performed by their students):

But they graciously took a break to measure some fabric off the bolt for us:

There were also some very special (and expensive) vintage pieces.  Julie W and I were just thrilled to be able to buy several yards of the new stuff, for about 2000 yen per meter.  Hurray!

Family, friends, 911 Memorial, blossoms

I just got back from a trip home to America last night - a wonderful week with my daughters in NYC...

and then a few precious days with my Grandma Mary Lou in Denver - at 91 years old, still the best cook I know!  My photos from Denver didn't make it into the "cloud" and I can't access them now - sometimes technology disappoints - or rather my lack of tech-savvy disappoints!

Nevertheless now I'm back at my computer and can blog a little!

One morning Miss N and I met our good friends from Boston at the 911 Memorial site.  It was so moving to see its progress,  especially in light of what was going on in our beloved Boston that same week.   I was so happy to be in New York with my girls, but our hearts were heavy thinking of friends back home in Massachusetts.

Even amidst the construction sights and sounds all around, the feeling was peaceful and respectful at the footprint:

 One of the new towers:

We loved the reflective quality of the new buildings...

Most of the trees weren't yet in bloom... 

But this one was.  It's the "survivor tree" - the only tree at the World Trade Center to have survived the attacks - a powerful symbol.

If it is possible to love Boston and New York City in equal measure, we sure do!  I was actually moved to tears hearing how the New York Yankees joined in singing "Sweet Caroline" to show solidarity with Boston.

On a more lighthearted note, while in NYC, I also met up with fellow blogger (and fellow expat - only she's an English woman living in NYC!)  ChrissieD.  What fun we had meeting up in person at the City Quilter, and then having lunch at a nearby pub, Stout.

Chrissie recommended the fish and chips and I figured she would certainly know!  Any shyness we might have felt melted and we chatted away endlessly!

The great thing now is that I can "hear" Chrissie's voice when I read her blog!  She blogged about our visit here - where you can also see the cute "New York City" themed needle book Chrissie made for me.

Later in the week while my girls were at work/school, Chrissie and I took the train to the Brooklyn Museum to see an absolutely wonderful quilt exhibit called "Workt by Hand:  Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts".  I had really been looking forward to this exhibit and was thrilled that Chrissie could join me.  I always enjoy viewing a show or exhibit with another quilter along.

More blossoms outside the museum:

Stay tuned for some photos from the exhibit - coming up real soon, I promise!

Little sashiko sampler class

I've been teaching a little beginners' sashiko class for some ladies at my church - just a couple of sessions to get people started.

It was fun to make up the kits, although it was more complicated and tedious than I'd imagined.  One issue was finding appropriate fabric.  I'm not 100% satisfied with what I found, but it works.  It is indigo-ish, and costs 2000 yen per meter, is loosely woven and of high quality.

I included some paper templates of various patterns, some "chaco paper" for tracing (use it with a tracing pen or regular ball point pen, topping the pattern first with a sheet protector or plastic), needle and sashiko thread, etc.

I made a few samples, just randomly to show the patterns...

Left unlined for now so that I could show the knotted backs:

And how you keep the thread very loose as you travel on the back:

The idea for this type of layout, and most of the patterns, came from a book written by my sashiko sensei Kazuko Yoshiura.  I purchased it at Blue and White:

These little samplers can be used as little doily type cloths, or to line a basket, or could be cut into four blocks to piece within a quilt.  One gal is even going to frame hers!  My goal was just to introduce this craft to the group in an accessible way.  

I decided to line one of the samplers to give to my Grandma when I visit her next week. 

This kimono fabric I bought the other day is the perfect width for a lining: 

Mark a seam:

Layer:

Pin, leaving a small opening:

Sew:

 Trim:

 Clip the corners:

Turn:

 Use a chopstick or something to gently define the corners:

 Press:

Topstitch right at the edge, and voila!