The Healer: The Process #3 Gown

THE JOURNEY

It is in our walk of life that our experiences weave into our lives, each offering a unique opportunity for growth. It's often the struggles that serve as the catalyst for our deepest growth.

It's within the struggle that a profound transformation can occur. It is within that power that we can reshape ourselves and, subsequently, our lives.

Once we've undergone a transformation and healed, we're in a position to help others towards a better life. We become a sacred hope. And because we have made the journey and seen it through, we become healers.

As we are on this journey, we gather information. Teachings and precious gifts of understanding. This is The Healer.

For this Healer, the gifts of the journey are expressed in her gown. She carries these gifts with her wherever her feet take her.

THE GIFTS

For the Healer to carry her gifts, she needed a gown. But one from the past that brings that energy with it. Worn but not faded and wise -at peace.

I chose vintage crepe kimono. Since I create from what I have, I had to pick two pieces to have enough to create the full garment.

The bodice/jacket was fashioned in a scrambled mix of colors, while the skirt had a distinct geometric design. The beauty was that all the colors were seamless in both pieces of fabric.

THE HIDDEN MAGIC

As any healer would have, she carries her magic under her cloak. Her remedies of the heart come from forms of plants.

The interior fabric was created years ago in a workshop with Linda Illumanardi using the eco-dyeing technique. I have saved my pieces for just the right time...which is now!

To enhance the magic, I highlighted the stems and flower centers with gold metallic watercolor and silver champagne ink.

Some have asked, 'Why are you hiding such beautiful fabric?' 

That is the message here. Not everything must be front and center to hold its magic. Sometimes it is in the hidden that we find the most significant surprises!

The Map of the Healer

As she travels, she finds that her path is placed before her. It may not always be painstakingly planned out. I depicted her path at the edge of her skirt hem.

This was created by following the path (design) of the plants. Some paths connect while others are of their own accord. It is her map.

 

Pantaloons

Any Healer knows that you may have to resort to horseback sometime in your journey.

So, being prepared with an undergarment of pant-like wear would be helpful.

Made from cotton batik- pieced with different stitches.

Sensible Shoes

As we walk our path. What are our shoes? 

The "shoes to walk a path" symbolizes the resources, experiences, and understanding we have or need to navigate our life journey. 

In our resources, experiences, and understanding, we have the chance to grow and heal.

For this Healer, I used a vintage kimono wool, lined in a deep scarlet red, and added leather laces to her ankle boots.

And isn't this life? 

We may sometimes follow, we may even backtrack, but our own path is always the most fulfilling in finding our own magic.

Next week- 

Her hat and final images!

Visit my website to see more of my work 

and upcoming workshops.

The Healer: Process #2 The Weaving

 Weaving our Life:

Our life is a magnificent tapestry woven with all our experiences that touch our hearts. Some delightful, some frightful, but each equally important in shaping the vibrant colors of the lens through which we perceive life.

The Colors:

As each Hummingbird's colors represent different things, such as joy, peace, and spirituality, these colors, as your favorites, have been woven into her shawl.

Green 

• Associated with growth, abundance, and renewal

Red 

• Represents passion, energy, and courage

Blue 

• A symbol of calmness, healing, and spirituality
• It can also symbolize communication, trust, and thinking deeply about feelings

Yellow 

• Symbolizes joy, positivity, and creativity
• It can also encourage finding joy in simple things

Purple 

• Symbolizes spirituality, wisdom, and mystery
• It can also remind us to listen to our inner voice

White 

• Symbolizes purity, peace, and new beginnings
• It can also remind us that every day is beautiful

Golden 

• Reflects prosperity, joy, and divine blessings

All below are vintage kimono except the yellow/gold, which is an Indian silk sari with metal.

The Weaving:

The specific way the yarns are woven is a testament to the transformative power of weaving, representing the different times in your life.

The technique I used is inspired by the Japanese tradition of Sakiori, also known as rag weaving and textile recycling. Sakiori is a textile art that embodies the concept of renewal, as it involves tearing old fabrics into strips and weaving them into new items, creating something beautiful and meaningful out of what was once discarded.

This is an important thought to highlight. In life, we may face a hardship or several. It is during these times that our mind wishes for us to discard the feelings that may haunt us. It is understood that they are just a part of our lives; they don't own us, but can enhance our own beauty and help us find compassion within ourselves and, therefore, have a more profound compassion for others.

The Process:

In this case, I used the colors my client loves, which I sourced from my vintage kimonos. Instead of tearing them, I cut them into ¼" strips.

Each strip is spun into 'yarn' using the old way of drop spindle twirling. This process is usually done to create yarn out of wool roving, but it can apply to fabric as well!

As the strips are spun, they are wound onto a card to hold the shape of the spin.

When all are completed, they are steamed to hold in the spinning.

They are then air-dried until ready for use.

Final result of spinning.

I made a weaving board loom from cardboard and used Japanese paper yarn as the warp threads, passing the weft Sakiori yarn through them.

Since it was not a traditional loom, I became the mechanics of it!

The paper yarn was so white, I decided to tone it down using my Japanese watercolor in an ecru color.

The Weaving...

It is a beautiful process; there is no way to rush it. It slows your movements into methodical and lovely moments.

The results after three weeks...

This process was not just a craft but a meditative journey. 

Each weave was done with utmost care and thought, following the Sakiori tradition. 

When completed, the piece measured approximately three feet in length, a testament to the calm and focus that went into its creation.

Free, from all old stories I've been told,
I walk through the valley of my own shadow.
-Yaima

Next week: The Gown!

Visit my website to see more of my work 

and upcoming workshops.