Back from Japan and so much to write I don’t know how to approach it all. So I thought I’d start with making a garment at Saori no Mori in Osaka with Hiromi.  She is the resident staff designer with so many ideas. I took along my six metres of linen/cotton fabric to learn more about draping directly as I really think this is far better than following patterns. I tend to use written patterns as a crutch but our fabrics aren’t ‘normal’ so need different treatments from each other.

You can see here the design is a direct drape and wrap around the model. Hiromi made good use of shaping with the tucks at the side of the neckline and the cord on the other shoulder was the suggestion for a strap. After pinning we decided to make less of the ‘flaps’ at each side which gave me enough fabric for the shoulder strap. Surprisingly the garment only took about an hour to stitch up because it had so few tricky bits.

Saori no Mori – or Saori weaving of the forest is a very peaceful place. It seems like the world and its worries are a million miles away and it’s a chance to just think about the good things in life.

We were in the studio for a few days and it was great to be around the looms and the Saori way again. Each time I appreciate more deeply what Saori is. It is much more that weaving, although that would be enough for me! It is really a way of weaving that involves the whole body in a creative idea. That idea is different for everyone and the personal process evolves as the fabric is woven. A way of weaving yourself into the cloth.