Kinusaiga - patchwork without sewing

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Panel portraits in fabric frames with beads and fabric flowers, Easter eggs and Christmas balls made of colorful shreds on a foam blank and, finally, silk paintings on wood ...

All this is the so-called "patchwork without a needle - kinusayga." Magical art originated in Japan many centuries ago, although it only revived and gained popularity only in the 80s of the last century. In ancient times, in a poor country - Japan, few dared to throw away the old kimono, because natural silk is a very expensive thing. Therefore, the kimono was cut into shreds of the desired shape ...
But first, the artist drew a sketch of the future picture on the board and cut out all the details, including the smallest ones, with a sharp knife in the form of grooves with a depth of no more than 2 mm. Then he made an exact template for each part and only after that cut it out of silk (with allowances of 1 mm). Then, using a sharpened but smooth wand, he carefully inserted each shred into its place, leveling its surface.
Now, in this technique, many make paintings and panels (as well as various three-dimensional objects) based on foam: it is easily cut with a knife, so the kinusaig technique has become available even to a child. It is recommended to start with simple things, use glue to better fix the shreds, and most importantly, to have time to smooth the surface of the part before the glue dries.
However, for greater effect, in some places, the patches do not stretch along the surface, but rather are gathered in folds. But there are plenty of effects, like their own secrets, for those who create objects using the kinusaig technique.
We suggest that on Easter Sunday to make decorative Easter eggs to decorate your home or a small souvenir to relatives and friends.
To make a decorative EASTER EGG of multi-colored shreds, YOU WILL LIKE foam-shaped blanks in the shape of eggs, a narrow braid, glue for textiles, a glue brush, a stationery knife, a hook or a manicure spatula to push shreds into the slots, a centimeter tape, scissors.

STEP 1 Measure the foam blank and draw straight lines: one across, the other from one end to the other. Then draw lines from the points of intersection so that the same triangles form. Measure the exact size of these triangles, and then make a template for cutting shreds with an allowance of 1 or several mm.
STEP 2 Cut out triangles from shreds of different fabrics. Apply a thin layer of glue to the surface of one triangle on the foam blank. Using a hook or spatula, insert the scrap allowances into the slots, pulling the surface of the fabric.

STEP 3 Repeat in turn the same with the remaining shreds. If desired, decorate the decorative egg with braid by gluing it over the shreds (in the form of a monogram or along the “seams”).
Tip: Christmas balls and other three-dimensional objects are made in the same way.
Many images of Japanese artist’s paintings are used in the photo gallery. Maeno Takashi, our contemporary, who is believed to have revived the art of kinusayga. She supplements ancient traditions with her own innovations, for example, for greater expressiveness in her paintings she uses not only silk, but also fabrics of other textures.
Photo: de / images; PR
Material prepared by Elena Karpova

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