warashi-ko provides jinbei making workshops at the studio.
Participants choose from selected warashi-ko designs to make their own jinbei. Sizes are 0-2 yr (70-80cm) and 2-4 yr (90-100cm). The jinbei making kit includes: hand-dyed 100% cotton textiles, thread, needle, elastic and instruction card.
At a sunny light-filled space with singing birds, music and scents in the background, the participants found the workshop to be relaxing event. Some called it "sewing therapy", and some "sewing spa". We are very happy to be able to provide that kind of experience, and to assist participants in sewing their own jinbei for their little ones. Our deepest pleasure.
warashi-ko is exploring the idea of workshop for kids (and adults alike). For example, we are planning on hosting a mini card making workshop, using warashi-ko textiles. We can't discard even small pieces of textiles because they are precious (hand-dyed, using hand-cut paper stencils). Participants will have chance to learn the process of "chusen" technique and names/meaning of the designs, while making collage of their own.
#018 hana asobi jinbei by Ms. Han in progress. Photo: Ms. Han
We have a first jinbei making report in from the workshop participant! It is so exciting to see and hear about her process and the result, so of course I had to share it!
Ms. Han challenged herself to make 2 jinbei for her daughter, who just turned 1 year old. One of them is #018 hana asobi jinbei, using Ahiroya textiles. Ms. Han has been a fan of Ahiroya and she thought it was such a miracle to have the opportunity to make jinbei with Ahiroya textile in Brooklyn - so far away from Japan!
“I bought a sewing machine but I chose to sew by hand. A stitch by stitch...I enjoyed the texture of fabric and the calming process. Like when I eat my favorite sweets, every stitch was precious and I slowly moved on to next. I wanted to see my daughter wear it, but I didn’t want to let go of joy of making jinbei.”
Thank you so much Ms. Han for sharing the beautiful stories and photos!!
ワークーショップに参加してくれたハンさんが、素敵なお話しと写真と一緒に、甚平作りレポートを届けてくれました！
１歳になった娘さんのために、２着の甚平作りに挑戦したハンさん。１着は、あひろ屋さんの手ぬぐいを使った#018 hana asobiです。以前から、あひろ屋さんのファンだったハンさん。ブルックリンで、初めて大好きなあひろ屋さんの手ぬぐいに対面し、しかも甚平を作ることになったことに運命を感じていらっしゃいました*＾＾*
その運命の甚平を作る行程は、ハンさんにとって、とても特別なことになったようです。ハンさんの言葉が、あまりに美しいので、引用させてもらいます。
“ミシンも買ったけど、あえて手縫いしました。一針一針、気持ち良い手触りに癒されました。
大好きなスイーツを食べる時のように、ちょっとずつしっかりと味わいながらゆっくり縫いました。早く着せたかったけど、作る楽しさも逃せない。”
こんなに大事に作ってもらえた甚平。ハンさんの娘さんが着る甚平は、世界に一つしかありません。作ってくれて、ありがとう！
Lovely Saturday morning with lovely ladies! Amy has been my friend (kids' are same age), and Tatiana has been Amy's friend! We just had lovely time, making jinbei and chatting out :)
Amy worked on #020 kurage in the paradise for her 1 year old son, and Tatiana on #026 yagasuri kumo for her expecting boy baby! Tatiana was actually first non-Asian, pregnant mom to participate in the workshop!
Both Amy and Tatiana felt the 2-hour workshop sort of like an oasis from the usual weekend morning (they both have 2 kids ;). Tatiana particularly enjoyed Bossanova in the background, since she was just living Brazil for few years, and tea + scent were all additional goodness.
I enjoy hosting the workshops very much. I love re-connecting with friends, meeting new friends, and love that they find the workshop to be relaxing and precious time.
2nd just-mom workshop, and we welcomed a fist non-Japanese participant :)
Jiyoung is native to Korea, but she studied in Osaka, and she's fluent in Japanese (even her spirit is Osaka-people). She's also an expert in blind stitches, and it blew my mind to see how intricate stitches she could make! She's challenging herself to make 2 sets of jinbei for her daughter, aiming to complete by Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri! Go Jiyoung!
Another participant, Sumie, worked on making #023 kabuki ichimatsu for her 2.5 year old son. She's a working mom with very busy schedule, but she's committed in making the jinbei by herself. She's traveling with her son to Paris at the end of April, and that's her target. It's good to have the target date/event to work on a piece! Good luck!!
Yukiko and baby Noe came to the workshop!
Yukiko babysat for my kids before Noe was born, so we had a lot of catch-ups to do :) Good thing that we didn't get too distracted and reached our target (collar on body). Yukiko chose #018 hana asobi for Noe, but she felt like it matched her personality better than Noe's. Noe may be more #012 temari meets kabuki type. Interesting :)
Baby-Mama workshop with Mika and baby Miwa!
Every baby is different. 8 months old Miwa explored widely in the studio, playing with toys, going underneath the chair and the table - while mom Mika continued to concentrate on sewing.
I love the proud moms, sewing the jinbei kimono by themselves for their little ones! Yes, you can do it! Kids will treasure them too!
First just moms workshop!
Kumiko and Naomi came to join, and they both made #017 sakura zukushi for their 2.5 old girls. For 2-4 years old, I recommend making a size-up from baby jinbei, which is 90-100cm.
They both enjoyed the rare moments on Saturday afternoon. Away from kids, chatting, sipping tea and sewing for your loving ones can be very relaxing. There is probably such a thing as "sewing therapy" :)
The very first warashi-ko's workshop!
A Brooklyn resident, Yuko, came with 8 months old baby Junpei ❤︎ Mom Yuko sewed, and I held baby Junpei most of the time. We sometimes switched as I helped out with the sewing machine or hand-stitches. And, we made it to the target, which is to pin down the collar to the body and introduce "kuke" stitch for sewing the collar! Yuko was very pleased to see what she has made in 2 hours!
It was just so lovely to have them over! Thank you for coming on a rainy day!
