Tiny Hand-stitched Treasures: Learning to Make Kaga Yubinuki (Traditional Japanese Thimbles)
In this hands-on workshop, we had the opportunity to learn all about the colourful world of Kaga Yubinuki (traditional thimbles from the Kaga region of Japan) before spending the afternoon making our very our own tiny hand-stitched treasures.
Workshop table setup as participants select materials to make their own Kaga yubinuki. Photo credit: Christina Cecconi
The word yubinuki (Yubi 指– finger, Nuku 貫 – to pierce) refers to any sewing thimble, whether it is made of metal, leather or fabric, but Kaga yubinuki are a particular regional style of highly decorative stitched thimble.
Colourful Kaga yubinuki collection. Photo credit: Moira Fentum
Originating in Kaga Province (now partly Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture) during the Edo period, Kaga yubinuki were created from very simple materials used while stitching kimono: paper, leftover sewing threads, and silk floss used to pad the hem of the kimono. This makes for a beautifully elevated, economical and ecological recycling craft, akin to the decorative temari balls (手毬 “hand ball) that may be more familiar.
Temari balls by Moira Fentum as an example of other traditional Japanese recycling crafts making use of leftover sewing materials such as kimono thread. Photo credit: Christina Cecconi
Educator Moira Fentum and images from the workshop. Photo credit: Christina Cecconi
A huge thank you to Moira Fentum for leading such a generous and well-organized workshop. Each step of the process was so thoughtfully presented visually, verbally, and in written form so that no matter our experience level, everyone was able to follow along. We finished the workshop having made our very first single-colour yubinuki and were sent away with additional materials and the knowledge to continue exploring more advanced designs at home.
This workshop was a lot of fun and filled up very quickly. We hope to be able to offer it again in 2025. To avoid disappointment, we highly recommend signing up for our monthly newsletter as subscribers enjoy advance access to registration for future programs!
About the Educator:
Moira Fentum is a professional costumer in Vancouver working in the film and theatre industry for nearly 20 years. A longtime interest in Japanese textiles has led her down a path of history, fabric, and art that neatly dovetails with her professional skills. Recently, all of these skills and interests combined as she was part of the costume team for the Vancouver-shot FX / Disney limited series Shōgun.