Rags of Wu

The traditional Japanese clothing known as kimono, also has another name, gofuku (literally translated as, "clothes of Wu." It was somewhere during the Edo period (1603–1867 AD), that the style of kimono we have come to commonly know, came into full fashion. Though their beginnings can be traced back as early as the 8th century, as Chinese fashions came into style among the Japanese.

Today I had a grand plan, which was part of a Master Plan, that in truth seems a bit lofty at the moment. Today was the day I was going to unpack the rest of my sewing stuff, fabric and boxes of whosits and whatnots, etc.  I set right in with a great deal of enthusiasm and fortitude, I did.  You know how it is though, don't you? As you unpack you find treasures and treasures are far more interesting than folding and sorting and figuring out where the heck it's all suppose to go. 

I did indeed find treasure.

I found my rags of Wu.

Several years ago my mother sent me a bag full of scraps from vintage kimono. I believe she found them at an estate sale. These are all from what seem to have been well worn garments, dating from maybe the 40s - 60s. Some silk, rayon, linen... Many have stains and holes. I find each piece fascinating. Each one has the remnants of hand stitching, every one of the kimonos they came from had been hand pieced. I love looking at the fine stitching, imagining other makers from the past in other lands.

I begin wondering about the lives of those who made and wore these garments. I may make up little stories about them in my head.

Once I start imagining, I get ideas, and that's when the trouble starts. 

I did manage to get most of the boxes unpacked before I ran off again to look at my rags and read up on Japanese clothing history.

Well, back to the Master Plan... oh maybe I'll start again on Monday.

Treasures

When last I spoke of my adventure to Seattle, I mentioned a little thrifty shopping I think. I thought I might show off my treasures from that trip along with some other treasures that have recently come into the little green cottage.

That beautiful old mirror in the photo was from my trip to Seattle. It runs the width of my mantle and is quite heavy. It was a crazy steal for $4 and a special treat from my friend Tif. The blue bottle is from the Engineer as a thoughtful replacement to a similar bottle that was broken some time ago. Good man!

Also from Seattle, a couple of vintage crochet lacy bits. All freshly laundered and looking so pretty.

From another thrifty outing a little bit of 'vintage spring' in the form of sheets. The yellow ones keep whispering "curtains" to me.

This next treasure was a sweet gift from the very kind and also amazingly talented Jess of Teddy Bear's Wednesday.

An amazing red work blanket. My photo does not come close to doing it justice. It is so gorgeous! Her stitching is beautifully done and I can't believe I am now the owner of this heirloom piece. Thank you Jess!

The last treasure I will share with you is neither vintage, thrifted, nor handmade... though it will assist me in hand making. It is something I have wanted for a long while and finally screwed up the courage to purchase. Ta Da!

Aww Snap! That's right folks, I bought myself a professional snap setter HOORAY! Many thanks are owed to the kind Sara of Willow and Moo for giving me some sound advice on this purchase, thank you! And yes, I suddenly have the urge to 'besnap' (besnapping is much like bedazzling only with snaps) everything!

Right, well thank you for letting me share my treasures with you. Do you have any new treasures?

Have a grand weekend all!

Valley of the Dolls

Every once in awhile, someone I know (who knows I sew) offers me some fabric. Awfully nice of them don't you think? While I very much appreciate these offers, sometimes I have to turn them down as I have so little space and an already overflowing fabric cupboard. Sometimes though, my fabric addicted ways get the best of me and I accept. Such was the case some time ago when the woman who occasionally watches Pony Girl asked if I would be interested in some of her mother's old fabric. "Why don't you come by and pick up a couple of bags when you can," she said. What is a couple of small bags really? What I can't use I will donate and I'm helping de-clutter another woman's house, I thought.

When I showed up she just kept bringing large bags out to my car. In total there were 6 bags that filled up the back of my car. I was indeed grateful if just a bit overwhelmed. I haven't had much time to go through all the bags but, I have been trying as they need to be gone through since they have taken over my laundry area. Each bag is a mystery, you don't know what you might find. Perhaps a bit of treasure, or maybe some frightening 80's polyester! All of these bags are filled with scraps, from medium size to itty bitty and all have that deep dank musty smell of years of storage in a dark place. So far, as you can see from the photo above, I have culled a fair amount of sweet vintage scraps. These have been laundered, pressed and folded, that takes a heap of time let me tell you. Still, I am quite pleased to have these little lovelies. I'm a sucker for vintage fabric, I can't help it.

Last night as I was reaching the bottom of one bag, I came across an old flour sack wrapped around something lumpy and heavy, how mysterious. What's this? I carefully opened the flour sack and unwrapped an item from an ancient tea towel to find...

...the dolls!

These dolls appear to be quite old, their bodies made from leather and wood with porcelain heads. Both are in ill repair, the little one has been separated from her arms and seems to be blinded by a severe cataract in one eye. She has a sour expression and I find her a little creepy. The larger doll is fascinating. She is made of leather and her outfit is many layers of Victorian style dress. I kind of like her rosy cheeks though her head is not actually attached, I may attempt to remedy that. I even thought she could do with a bit of hair. I found some wool roving I had lying around...

...and voila!

For those of you with 'creepy old doll phobia', I apologize if I have caused you any psychological damage.

Hmmmm...I wonder what else I may find.