Japan - second week favorite photos (3)

Peace Museum in Kyoto

Interesting textures on the way to the Golden Temple

Golden Temple - Kyoto 

Japan -Sewing Stuffs 2

I also did some notion shopping.  First stop was Misuyabari, the handmade needle shop (http://www.misuyabari.jp/) Purchased several of the boxes with the lids that fit so perfectly.

And also needs.  The box with the paper label is to store the packages of needles and includes a pair of stays to hold the needle packs in place.  The larger box to the right came with the snips holder (snips were extra), thimble and pincushion.  He small box at the bottom came with three pre-loaded thread cards, snips in a holder and a package of needles.  In addition, I purchased some of the pins with custom made decorations - but they are too small for me to successfully photograph.

Nomura Tailor had the most wonderful floor full of notions.  Starting at the upper left corner there are two packages of bra strap holders - these will be used on my sleeveless summer tops and dresses; measuring wheel used for measuring curved areas on patterns; bodkins for threading elastic or strings thru casing. The middle item is another variation on the bokin for pulling elastic through casings.

The bottom left items are forms to use as pins, cover with a pretty piece of fabric or a small embroidery, add a pin back, and you have a new pieces of jewelry.  The package on the bottom right is some woven iron on interfacing for light weight fabrics. 

Moving on to Idola, the bead and button shop, I have 4 packets of glass dust with hole (about a size 22 seed bead, or smaller), several embroidered appliques, and some cute wooden beads with faces painted on.

I could have purchased so much more, but money and weight were limitations...

Japan - second week favorite photos (2)

Sightseeing trip to Kyoto

Bullet trains at a train yard

 reflection of a tower in the glass roof of the JR (Japan Rail) station in Kyoto

Zen Garden

Japan -Sewing Stuffs 1

During my two weeks in Japan, I had the opportunity to do some shopping. 



Due to space (and weight)limitations, I only purchased three cuts of fabric. 

From the left:  Cotton calico to be used for a childs dress, cotton lawn to make a top/tunic for me, and wool knit for a cardigan.  The cottons were made in Japan, not sure about the knit.

These are small pieces, mostly chirimen prints of unknown fiber.  The square pieces around the top and right are all cottons, mostly fat quarters - more or less.

All the fabrics were purchased at Nomura Tailor, the yardages and chirimen pieces from the larger store, the fat quarters from the smaller store. 

In addition I picked up a silk piece pack and some (couching?) threads from Habu (yarn shop with a few pieces of fabric)

Next up, sewing notions.

Japan - second week favorite photos (1)

Kyoto - morning shopping trip

geisha painted on the risers leaving the train

Cat Café.  Unfortunately it didn't open until after we had to leave for a lecture that afternoon. 

Buddha in a temple in the middle of the covered shopping arcade

Japan - second week favorite photos (5)

Taking our leave.  Heading for the plane.

Japan - Day 14 (Saturday)

Heading home.  Feeling a bit homesick the last couple days.  Interesting place, will miss being here.  Many warm memories.