Subscribe to The Long Thread Podcast:
Working in the studio of a Japanese dollmaker, seventeen-year-old John Marshall learned skills for every step of the process from making glass eyes to shaping the body to creating intricately designed clothing. He developed a love for natural dyes on natural fibers, especially katazome (a paste-resist technique using stencils), as he studied dyeing and garment design for five years. Over five decades, his work in Japanese fiber techniques has followed two paths: creating traditionally inspired art-to-wear and sharing what he has learned through extensive writing and teaching.
In our lively and wide-ranging discussion, John shares stories of how lac insects are "herded" in the Himalayas, what a suit made from bagworm silk feels like, and what he plans to do with his collection of the Emperor's old clothing.
This episode is brought to you by:
You’ll find the largest variety of silk spinning fibers, silk yarn and silk threads & ribbons at TreenwaySilks.com. Choose from a rainbow of hand-dyed colors. Love natural? Their array of wild silk and silk-blends provide choices beyond white.
Treenway Silks—where superior quality and customer service are guaranteed.
Links:
John Marshall's website lists his books. His workshops and lectures are also listed there, including a list of courses he offers regularly.
John's most recent book, Singing the Blues, is devoted to fresh-leaf indigo. He contributed a short article about fresh-leaf indigo to Nature's Colorways.
Tsujigahana
Itchiku Kubota
Ina Kozel
Cheryl Lawrence