In this Skillshare class, instructor Rawyah Sami helps students discover Kinusaiga, a stitch-free patchwork technique that involves fabric tucking.
In the latest installment of our craft trends series, What’s New in Craft, we’re looking at Kinusaiga, a Japanese textile art form that creates picture-like designs using small pieces of silk fabric, typically arranged on a wooden or cardboard base carved with grooves.
Kinusaiga was developed as a technique in Japan in the 1980s by the artist Maeno Takashi. It’s inspired by a traditional Japanese art called Oshie, which involved wrapped fabric and padding around a form to create a raised image, and Kimekomi, which is tucking cloth into carved wooden dolls.
Originating in Japan, Kinusaiga has been embraced by artists worldwide and adapted to use different materials from the traditional silk and wood. Many makers are creating Kinusaiga with foam board and scraps of quilting cotton, making the art form easily adaptable to quilters and quilt shops.
Mini Kinusaiga Quilt Tutorial
Hannah is the force behind Needle or Thread. She’s an award-winning artist from Eugene, Oregon, and an instructor at the University Craft Center and other locations. In addition to Kinusaiga, Hannah works in embroidery and fabric collage. In this YouTube tutorial, she creates a Kinusaiga version of a quilt made by her Grandma Marlys. This project has helped Hannah to process the grief of her passing.
Kinusaiga Blue Jay Pattern
Create your own Kinusaiga artwork with this PDF pattern by Maude Artist. The image is 17 cm x 17 cm and is an original drawing by the artist. The finished piece will fit inside an 8″ x 8″ frame. Maude Artist also has patterns for other motifs, including a hermit crab, lobster, crab, great blue heron, puffin, and northern cardinal.
Kinusaiga-Inspired Fabric Art Workshop
Learn the art of quiltless quilting in this two hour workshop at Merry Pin in Washington, DC. Instead of using a needle and thread, you will choose a design, cut custom grooves into foam board, and learn the relaxing technique of tucking vibrant fabric scraps into the grooves to build your picture. The result is a gorgeous, layered masterpiece that looks like a cross between a stained-glass window and a handmade quilt. Whether you are a seasoned textile lover or completely new to crafting, your instructor will guide you step-by-step through the process.
Kinusaiga Craft Kits
Choose from pre-cut or un-cut Kinusaiga kits from Cream City Patchworks. Kits come with foam block, adhesive pre-applied, wooden frame, seam ripper and, if you’ve picken pre-cut, a pre-cut design of your choice. Made by Megan Chitel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Kinusaiga Made Easy Class: Stitch-Free Fabric Art for Beginners
Rawyah Sami
In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn to transform fabric scraps into stunning, textured artwork. Instructor Rawyah will guide you through the entire process: from history and tools to the simple, meditative technique of fabric tucking. Create a beautiful, framed masterpiece without a single stitch. It’s an eco-friendly and deeply satisfying art that gives new life to your leftover fabric. Perfect for quilters, crafters, and anyone who hates to waste a beautiful scrap!
Kinusaiga Step-by-Step Tutorial
Sewing by Sarah
Allison Kelley walks you through the step-by-step process to create a simple geometric Kinusaiga in this tutorial. Starting with the materials you need to gather, the tutorial walks through preparing your design, applying the adhesive sheet, transferring your design, choosing your fabrics, cutting your fabric, and finally placing your fabric onto the board.
Kinusaiga Pet Portrait Class
From the Lobby
In this in-person class at From the Lobby in Cleveland, Ohio, students will explore Kinusaiga by creating a custom portrait of their pets designed by The Dabbler’s Collective. Students will submit photo references of their pet ahead of the class, and then design and carve a custom portrait of the pet in the workshop session using bins of fabric scraps. Each piece is customizable and unique, and the process is very beginner-friendly!
