There’s something different about sewing with a piece of fabric when you know exactly who made it.
Makumo Textiles is a small, independent design house run by Miki and Tomota, a husband and wife team who live on an island in the south of Japan with their three daughters. Their home and attached atelier sit by the sea, filled with colour, fun and fabric in every corner. Miki is the designer behind the joy-filled prints, and Tomota brings each one to life, hand dyeing every single piece himself. They live in this quiet, creative corner of the world with their three daughters.
Every Makumo design starts with Miki’s love of vibrant colour and interesting, movement-filled lines. Once she is happy with the design and the colours, from there, it’s Tomota’s turn to play his part in bringing them to life.
First, mixing up the rich, eye-catching colours that Miki likes to design with. Working layer by layer, he uses a separate stencil for every colour in the design. He works down the length of the dyeing table, dyeing every second panel before coming back to fill in the gaps between. Once the layers of dye has dried, the fabric is then rolled between Japanese washi paper and newspaper, steamed, and washed multiple times before it’s ready. The dyeing table can only hold five metres of fabric at a time, and each length takes a full day to dye!
That’s the part that makes these fabrics so special. They aren’t pulled off a shelf.They’re hand dyed to order, just for you, by two people who are entirely self-taught and who built their craft and their community from the ground up. When Tomota begins dyeing your length of Makumo fabric, he’s working from a recipe he’s spent years perfecting, in a home he shares with his family.
Once your fabric arrives, you get to feel that care in your hands. And when you wear or use what you’ve made, you’re wearing something that a real person poured their heart into, not just a print. These are the kinds of fabrics that will have strangers stopping you in the street to tell you they love your outfit. Get ready to feel amazing in what you make with them and to say “Thanks I made it!” each time you step out.
Every Makumo design is available across four different fabric types, so you can pick whichever suits the project you have in mind (or simply whichever you love to wear most).
A bottom weight, twill weave fabric with a textured hand. Perfect for pants, shackets, and jackets.
Double Gauze (100% Cotton)A Japanese speciality fabric made of two layers of muslin joined with tiny tacks. Light weight and airy, a dream to wear.
Light to mid weight and breathable, this is the all-rounder of the group. Great for tops, dresses and pants.
The slub of the fibres gives this mid weight fabric a beautifully textured, ribbed effect. Perfect for a statement sleeve top, dresses and so much more.
Pre-orders for this year’s Makumo Textiles collaboration start on 20 September and close on 3 October. If you want early access, sign up to my newsletter list below. Once the sale closes, Tomota will begin hand dyeing each order, working through them one five metre length at a time, with fabric expected to ship out in December, approximately 10 weeks later.
Because every piece is made to order, this collaboration only comes around once a year, with new designs each time. If a design is speaking to you, get it now so you don’t regret missing out. It’s worth taking the time now to choose your favourite designs and substrates before pre-orders close.
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