Each is 5" x 5½"
The story of "Kimonos"
When I was in the Bridal retail business I was fascinated with the variety of wedding gowns on the market. I would marvel that "they have a front, a back, two sleeves, they are usually white and yet they are all different!"
Similarly, needlepoint canvases of Japanese Kimonos fall into a mode of design. Within the basic outline of this garment, one can find endless variety.
In clothing areas of my fashion buying, I would buy one style in two colors and two sizes. To this day I still buy in two's. When I bought these needlepoint canvases I really outdid myself by buying three sets of twos, six Kimonos! By the time that I completed four of these Kimonos, I never wanted to see another Kimono.
Never say never! I have just bought another Kimono canvas, a huge one! I hope to show it to you in the gallery when it's complete.
The four completed Kimonos are stitched with stranded silk, rayon and metallic. Stitching these pieces while traveling meant that I needed to keep the detail simple and not carry a lot of stitching tools with me. I stitched with some long stitches but mostly basket weave, cross stitch and French knots. All backgrounds are open stitches done with perle cotton and metallic filament.
The four kimonos are now framed and look like precious jewels. I'm happy to have them......finished!
I can hear you asking, "Why on earth did she buy another Kimono!"
because. . . . . .
- it's gorgeous and I love the colors, lime green and magentas
- I just couldn't leave it in the shop
- I'm a shop owner's ideal customer, a canvas collector
- if I had stopped to question most of my purchases I wouldn't have the collection
- if I have lots to stitch, I'm encouraged to keep creating
- and because a stitching friend said, "You're buying another canvas! How many life times do you plan to have?"
"I'll just stitch faster" is my reply.
>Click within the stitchings to see the detail images:
