Full Bloom

Acquired
Full Bloom

Full Bloom holds one of my favorite chrysanthemum patterns. I’ve always loved the way it fills the surface, and chrysanthemums have long been associated with longevity and rejuvenation in Japanese culture.

For this pillow, I worked with antique Japanese indigo katazome fabric, and on one side I added two hand-sewn patches in a different chrysanthemum pattern. There is also one very small hand-repaired area with sashiko stitching, measuring about 1/4".

The cover itself measures 11" high × 17" wide. With the 12" × 21" insert, it takes on a depth of about 4". The insert has a cotton cover and 100% polyester fill.

I backed the antique exterior fabric with new heavyweight cotton canvas for reinforcement, finished the inside edges with overlocking stitches for durability, and hid the zipper in the seam for easy removal.

There is also some uneven fading in the textile that reflects its age and history.
Full Bloom

Nearby works

Other works from the studio

Nearby works that carry the same language of wear, repair, and time.

Into the Blue

Into the Blue

Into the Blue came together in my Brooklyn studio from antique Japanese cotton fabrics dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s, including katazome resist-dyed indigo and bengala iron oxide-dyed cloth.

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Garden Groove

Garden Groove

Garden Groove came together from antique Japanese katazome fabric with an indigo-dyed floral pattern. I added a single hand-sewn patch and backed it with canvas for reinforcement.

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Scripted

Scripted

Scripted is made from beautifully faded antique Japanese tsutsugaki fabric from the early 1900s. What gives this piece its character is the Japanese script across the surface.

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