I've been growing restless again. I finished making the School Photo series, (I will be showing the final ones in the next few posts) and have been hungering for something new to explore. I close my eyes to see what pops up in my imagination and my brain is filled with foggy bits of stitched and patched textile work. Try as I might I couldn't get what I was imagining into focus, and I wasn't sure what to do. I searched the internet, typing in everything I could think of to hopefully find some existing imagery of what I was only being teased with in my mind.
And then finally, yesterday, I found it:
Japanese Boro.
(Patched and mended folk textiles of Japan).
Maybe I should have already known about it, but I am self taught in the school of textiles and still have much to learn.
(Thank goodness, as that keeps it fun!)
These images came from Sri Threads an amazing resource of antique Japanese folk textiles located in Brooklyn, New York. (I must go!)
Finding these images made the fog lift from my head. I think they are beautiful.
I am struck by similarities between the Japanese Boro textiles and the quilts of Gee's Bend.
I am not sure what will come of it, or how long the excitement will last, (I know I can be rather fickle) but for now, (and what else is there?) I know I want to go play and explore this new/old path a bit... who knows where it will lead?
18 comments:
I think they're lovely too!!! I'm also self-taught, and this is what I love about blogs - I learn SO much. You're right, they do have a Gee's Bend quality to them.
Amazing! When I have a bit of time I am planning a bit of 'Primitive patching'...but I never do seem to get the time!
Keep going for a bit longer the school photo series. They are great.
Have fun playing! I like this direction (but then I love everything you do!) so I'm keen to see what transpires. You should take a trip to New York to that fabric store. I'm sure seeing all of those textiles will inspire you even more. I'm not sure how far you are from NY but I think the trip is a great idea. Go jump on a bus now! Now! Well, not before you share the rest of your School Photo series. I wanna see those first! :D
I cant wait to see where you go with your new found love!!!
Goodness, that is inspiring to see. Happy sewing!
I look forward to following you on your journey as I know you will interpret this idea (as with all your ideas) with clarity, passion and skill that will make me swoon.
Jude Hill also blogged about Japanese boro not long ago. I can't find the specific post, but if you don't know her blog, I think you would like it: http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/spirit_cloth/
I was also thinking of Jude Hill's blog as I was reading your post. You have to check out her blog. I just love the photos you posted. Now I can hardly wait to see where you take it. Have a great new adventure!
Thanks Penny and Connie! I am familiar with her blog, and her wonderful work. I haven't visited her blog in some time, (to many blogs, too little time!) I will go check it out now!
V, I absolutely agree with everything you said (as usual). I just luv the primitive patchwork. There is a beauty and a naivete about it.
what interesting pieces, I can see why you like them!
: )
Oh, that stitching just makes my heart yearn for the needle and thread! I cannot wait to see what your heart tells your hands to do!
Me again. I have checked out Jude Hill's blog, "Spirit Cloth" (thanks to Connie's and Penny's comments above) and am dumbstruck as why I don't look at it every day. What amazing work she does. I also found out today that Jude has two other textile blogs, "What if", and "Thread Crumbs" all three have now been added to my link bar. Each is wonderfully informative.
Ooo, I love it. That randomness of placement, earthy tones and stitches. It's a wonderful mix of 'mend and make do' and expressionism (I think!).
Can't wait to see what comes of this!
I went over there and looked at the site and all I can say is WOW!
can't wait to see how you revision it.
Thanks for mentioning Jude Hill’s blogs. I love what I ’ve seen.
Reading your post feels like I relive my thoughts from last weekend. I always search for new paths and experiments using textile. I’m often in conflict between the cuddly quilts I want to make and the experimental pieces, that provide for much more fun!
Can’t wait to see the results of all that’s wandering around your head!
stunning images Victoria. Wonderful ''utility'' stitching, right up my street.
There is such quietness in those. Simply beautiful. I can't wait to see what comes from it from you.
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