Issue 5 (September 2006)

Beautiful Necklace Pendant by Vanessa Gilkes

Kimono Issue

Welcome to the 5th issue of the OSA Spectrum, an online e-zine. In this issue we take a look at the kimono. As I sit down to write this, I wonder, what comes to everyone's mind when they think of a kimono? For me, it is an elegant, bright colored work of art worn in Japan. When I was a small child, my father was in the Navy and went to Japan. He brought home traditional kimono for my mom and I. While I do not remember him bringing it home, the kimono is still here after all those years.

What is a kimono? Webster defines a kimono as Japanese clothes; a long robe with wide sleeves traditionally worn with a broad sash as an outer garment worn by the Japanese.

The kimono has been around for several hundred years. Throughout the years, there have been several changes in the style of decorative fabrics and layering, however the basic shape has remained the same.

For this issue, we focused on the variety of projects that could be made using the kimono as our theme. So sit back with your fuzzy slippers, cup of tea (or coffee), a pastry or cookie and enjoy the issue.

A really big thank you goes out to Brenda, Sonia, Heather, Millie, Vanessa for the wonderful projects they created for this issue.

Catrina

The Projects section has samples and how to do the techniques illustrated in the samples.

The Gleanings section includes a brief how-to.

The Web Links page has links to other sites on the web that have samples or information on kimono. There's a large section that points to various samples from OSA members, and then a section of resource information about kimono.

The Gallery contains the larger project versions.

The Bibliography points you towards how-to books.

We hope you enjoy this fifth zine!

Contributors:
Annette Warkentin
Brenda Marks
Sonia Evans
Vanessa Gilkes
Catrina Kohl
Heather Taylor, Web Design