Kasuri Dyeworks Revisited....

Silk may be the best known Japanese textile due to its historical importance in the creation of the Kimono, however in pre-industrial Japan only the upper classes were permitted to wear silk clothing.   The rural classes wore homespun clothing made from hemp or cotton.  This style of clothing is called Noragi, meaning work clothing in Japanese.   I can only speak to this with modest understanding now, for JoeysCoat has opened up a whole new world for me brimming with materials and their history.  I learn to value and appreciate more and more each day the evolution and artistry involved in the creation of those things I have but admired from a distance.

I first happened upon Kasuri Dyeworks, a small store filled with traditional Japanese hand-dyed silk and cotton fabrics, while visiting friends in Berkeley in the mid-70’s.   Last year, with a trip scheduled to the Bay Area, I mentioned the store to Dana and my plan to stop there in search of vintage fabrics that might be useful for JoeysCoat.  To my surprise, Dana knew the store well, for she had visited it during the 1980’s.  My plans were dashed when looking up the address of the shop.  I discovered that after thirty years in business the store had closed, and the family relocated to Wyoming. 

One year later, while attending a sewing expo east of Seattle, I found myself chatting with the daughter-in-law of the original owner of Kasuri Dyeworks amidst the beautiful silks and cottons that I remembered after nearly four decades.  Divine intention - perhaps…stroke of good fortune - definitely. 

I sifted through remnants of beautiful fabrics knowing that once in Dana’s hands, the significance of the history behind the designs would be honored by her talent. 

Hemp/cotton with bright green print Shibori coat and tab.
Pendleton wool belt.
Rayon brocade binding and belt-loops.
Lightly padded cotton Ikat lining.
Hand-woven Italian lace trim.
Lace embellishments.
Hard Plastic buckle.
 Bakelite button and Hard Plastic Button.  

Hemp/cotton with indigo print Shibori coat and tab.
Indigo Ikat belt.
Japanese indigo stripe binding.
Vintage embroidery trim and belt-loops.
Bakelite buckle.
Bakelite button and Hard Plastic Button.

Hemp/cotton with dark green print Shibori coat.
Silk batik belt and tab.
Lightly padded cotton Ikat lining.
Gingham binding.
Metallic gold belt-loops.
Hand-woven Italian lace trim.
Enamel Deco-style buckle.
Celluloid and Hard Plastic buttons.

Kasuri is a Japanese word for fabric that has been woven with fibers dyed specifically to create shapes and shadows in the fabric.

Lovely indeed…