spring patchwork scarf (giant jeans parlor!)

Last week was Golden Week, a gloriously long (almost) week of holidays when many people in Japan travel and my town empties out. It was mostly sunny and warm and very very quiet. I used Monday to make a patchwork scarf for spring. The nights are cool enough to leave my bare neck chilly, but wool weather is long over. I've been seeing light cotton scarves everywhere and I can't decide if they are a trend this year or I've only been noticing them because I wanted one. But I've been noticing them. And I wanted one.

The main fabrics I chose were two light cottons sold on narrow rolls and often used for children's pajamas, one in a kitchen-themed print and the other printed with peas. I added some small pieces of other cottons and linens I had lying around. Before buying any more fabric, I'm trying to make a few things with what I already have -- a resolution made much more difficult by the trip I took to Otsukaya on Thursday. (But I didn't buy anything, mainly because I was starving and too cranky to bother choosing just one or two things from the piles and piles of appealing summer fabric. This has led me to the conclusion that craft-shopping, unlike grocery shopping, is best done on an empty stomach, if you are trying to keep resolutions about not splurging.)

The scarf is soft and light and provides just enough neck warmth for rainy spring days. No more enviously eyeing boys decked out in pastel cotton scarves and canvas blazers. Hooray!

Comments (10)

Love those peas!!

Posted by Allison | May 7, 2007 5:00 PM

My first visit to Japan was hosted by quilters in Nagoya. We all had quilts in a show in Sakae and the local quilters (Shinkawa) offered to put up and entertain the visiting Americans. No one *really* spoke the other's language at the time so after a welcome lunch and many failed but humorous attempts at conversation, one of the Japanese quilters exclaimed, "Otsukaya!".
We Americans didn't know what was happening but everyone smiled, jumped up and grabbed purses, hustling us into cars. Off we went, totally clueless, until we arrived at that fabric mecca. I've made many visits to Otsukaya since, but will never forget that first trip.
I'm impressed with your resistance in the face of such a wonderful array of fabric. But then, you do live right there, don't you. Lucky girl!

Posted by Jan | May 7, 2007 10:22 PM

In my stroll down memory lane, I forget to mention how much I like your scarf...a wonderful combination of fabrics!

Posted by Jan | May 7, 2007 10:25 PM

Wow, I've been having the same problem! You made a beautiful solution! :)

Posted by Sera | May 8, 2007 2:35 AM

Very nice!

Posted by Mariko | May 8, 2007 7:12 AM

That is so cute - fashionable and practical! :)

Posted by t. miyashiro | May 8, 2007 4:54 PM

So simply lovely!

Posted by nuttnbunny | May 9, 2007 3:51 AM

Very sassy!