Japanese craft workspace with textile and making materials showing traditional handwork techniques

LEARNING THROUGH MAKING: CRAFT EXPERIENCES I SOUGHT OUT IN JAPAN

Some of the most meaningful learning happens when you follow your curiosity.

While learning to make a traditional kimono in Japan, formed the core of my time, I was curious to see how other skills were taught and practiced. I also chose to explore other forms of making  both textile and food-based  to better understand how craft is approached across disciplines.

Making Ramen by Hand

I attended a ramen noodle making class, learning how dough is mixed, rested, rolled, and cut with precision. Much like sewing, the process relies on feel as much as instruction  knowing when the dough is ready, when to move to the next stage.

The parallels between cooking and sewing were impossible to ignore: timing, repetition, and respect for ingredients all matter.

Sushi as a Study in Precision

In a sushi making class, I learned how rice is seasoned, shaped, and handled. Small adjustments made noticeable differences  a reminder that refinement often comes from subtlety, not complexity. Watching experienced instructors work was just as valuable as doing it myself.

Teaching Myself Sashiko

I also purchased sashiko embroidery kits, drawn to their simplicity and history. Without formal instruction, I taught myself the basics  following patterns, practicing even stitches, and allowing the rhythm to develop naturally.

This self-guided learning echoed the hand-stitched construction of the kimono slow, repetitive, and deeply satisfying.

What All of This Reinforced

Across textiles and food, formal classes and self-taught practice, the lesson was consistent craft rewards patience.

Japan reinforced something I already believe deeply—that making is not about rushing toward a finished result, but about showing up, paying attention, and allowing skill to build quietly over time. These experiences, combined with the traditional kimono class and three weeks of immersion in Japanese craft culture, continue to influence how I approach my own work today.These experiences continue to influence how I approach my own work today, both in sewing and beyond.

This is the last post in the five part series - if you want to read anyone again the links are below to each post.

  1. Learning to Make a Traditional Kimono in Japan
  2. Inside a Traditional Kimono Class in Japan 
  3. Making a Traditional Kimono by Hand
  4. Three Weeks in Japan as a Maker 
  5. Learning Through Making: Craft Experiences I Sought Out in Japan (You are Here)

Related Reading:

Back to blog