Each plush doll is sewn by hand, using no machines, and their patterns are of my own design. All fabrics used are dyed by hand from white. Every doll has a poly-pellet beanbag inside their bodies and limbs to create a pleasing flop factor: these little friends will melt into the hands that carry them. |
![]() Kikue, 2021. Plush doll handsewn using synthetic fibers and vintage kimono scraps. Designed to resemble my great-grandmother. ![]() Satoru, 2021. Plush doll handsewn using synthetic fibers and wool felt. Designed to resemble my great-grandfather. ![]() Kikue and Satoru, 2021. Plush dolls handsewn using synthetic fibers, wool felt, and vintage kimono scraps; sumi ink painted on gold leaf. ![]() Photo reference: my great grandparents Kikue and Satoru at the Shinsaibashi-suji district of Osaka, 1950's. Play Pause |
The stitch used to create these dolls is called nami nui, meaning “wave stitch”. In the West, this is known as the running stitch. Nami nui was the first stitch I learned as a child. It was taught to me by my Japanese mother, who learned it from her own mother, as it went on for many women before them. My heritage embeds itself into each stitch.
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![]() Kitsune, Tanuki, and Neko, 2020. Plush dolls sewn by hand using synthetic fibers. ![]() Kitsune, 2020. Plush doll sewn by hand using synthetic fibers. ![]() Tanuki, 2020. Plush doll sewn by hand using synthetic fibers. ![]() Bags, 2020. Plush doll sewn by hand using synthetic fibers. ![]() Bags, 2020. Plush doll sewn by hand using synthetic fibers. ![]() Scallion, 2020. Plush doll sewn by hand using synthetic fibers. Play Pause |
It is essential that my hand is present in each step of the sewing process, as it is the hand that most fluently speaks the language of dolls. Hands create them, hands hold them, hands care for them, hands repair them, and hands love them.
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![]() Wanku, 2019. Guadian animal doll sewn by hand using wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers. ![]() Ichi, 2019. Guadian animal doll sewn by hand using wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers. ![]() Ni, 2019. Guadian animal doll sewn by hand using wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers. ![]() San, 2019. Guadian animal doll sewn by hand using wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers. ![]() Shi, 2019. Guadian animal doll sewn by hand using wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers. ![]() Go, 2019. Guadian animal doll sewn by hand using wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers. Play Pause |
The surface of the dolls are furry to the touch. It is velvety smooth against your skin, easily succumbing to the graze of your fingertips. If you give the dolls a squeeze, they hold almost no resistance. Your clutch compresses their material inward, pulling the dolls into their own core. But when you release that pressure, they will spring back.
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![]() Behind the scenes: face designs drawn on graph paper to make templates.
![]() Behind the scenes: color mock-up done using Photoshop. ![]() Behind the scenes: eyes made from felt. Blue felt dyed by hand.
![]() Behind the scenes: appliqué of felt eyes onto minky. Minky dyed by hand.
![]() Behind the scenes: hand embroidery of eye details. Satin and split stitches.
![]() Behind the scenes: hand embroidery of mouth and nose. Satin and split stitches.
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Because for a plush doll, forgiveness comes easily and love grows naturally.
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