I'm Jen Hoch and I manage the Kyoto Kimono Fabrics ebay store for www.kyotokimono.com.  I work with Kyoto Kimono’s owner, Nancy McDonough, on store strategies, but I handle all day-to-day ebay activities, from choosing the items, taking the photos, writing descriptions, listing, answering questions and shipping. Although my main career is in the architecture field, I really enjoy learning about Japanese fabric, culture, and design through my working with these fabrics and through my own studies.  Being creative in nature and having studied design from an architect’s perspective, I'm intrigued by the unique patterns, rich colors, and history of the fabric we're selling.  I marvel that each piece of fabric has a unique past to wonder about!  And of course, selling on ebay is an experience of its own!  I find it interesting to connect, if only for a moment, with people throughout the world.  Thank you for taking the time to look at our store and hope that you visit us again and often.  If you would like periodic reminders when we add items to the store, please sign up for our mailing list.

Any questions or concerns? Contact us through email at: kimonofabric@aol.com. If you would like us to call you back, just leave your number and time zone (US calls only).

Where does your fabric come from?

We salvage vintage Japanese haori (kimono jackets) that are purchased in Kyoto, Japan.  Occasionally these jackets will have stains, fading or tears that keep us from selling them as wearable art, so we take them apart and package the usable fabric for sale.  All of our sleeves are from garments made circa 1940-1980 and are in excellent condition unless otherwise noted in the description.

What can I use your fabric for?

The unique fabrics we offer create a focus and a conversation in whatever project they appear in!  Many of our buyers use the fabrics for their own wearable art projects (scarves, jackets, purses), for home décor (wall hangings, table runners), art quilts, or other craft projects (framing, greeting cards, doll clothing…).  The options are endless for any textile project that would be enhanced by vintage fabrics or an added Japanese accent.

Do you take any requests?

Yes, we would love to hear from you about any particular colors, designs or textures you’re looking for.  Our inventory changes every month, so we can keep an eye out for special requests and email you when we are about to add them to our store.

What are “sleeves”?

Our sleeves come from used haori or kimonos that have been taken apart for fabric bundles.  The sleeves are left over and can be collected/displayed or taken apart to be used in a variety of fabric projects.  What is great and unique about buying just the sleeves is that many are lined, so in most cases you actually get two different fabrics, the outer fabric and the lining fabric. (We always show the lining fabric when the sleeve is lined, but some sleeves don't have linings.) The sleeves are typically 12” wide (14” accounting for seam allowances) and the length will vary depending on the wishes of the original garment owner. There is a single seam running from the wrist opening along the bottom of the sleeve that is easily opened up.  Lined sleeves sometimes have an additional bonus piece of fabric (3” x 6”) bordering the inside of the wrist opening.

Can you wash or iron the fabric you sell?

We don’t clean or press any of the sleeves, though most have been dry cleaned before they were stored for decades.  We recommend gentle washing and ironing the fabrics once you get them if you are creating wearable items, but note that this is likely to soften the fabric by removing the stiffeners that are usually added in Japan.  Sensitive noses may detect a musty order, gathered from years of storage, that can be removed by hanging the sleeve outside on a breezy, sunny day, or masked by tossing it in the dryer with a fabric softener sheet.

Do you recommend dyeing any of the fabric?

Any fabric can be dyed, of course, and ours are no exception. Where there is an age blemish, over-dying or painting on top of it can cover the flaw and make the fabric even more interesting.  We do highly recommend dying the lining fabric – especially the silk jacquards – because this will really allow the subtle tone-on-tone patterning to pop out against the background.  (Even the synthetic linings will take the dye, though with very light and muted results.)