My first kinusaiga

TikTok has a lot to answer for.

I came across a video of someone creating a picture using Kinusaiga and, as tends to happen, I watched one. Then another. And before long TikTok had decided this was clearly my new personality and was showing me hundreds of them.

I was intrigued.

I’m always looking for something new to try, particularly creative ideas that could potentially become gifts. I’ve also always quite fancied having a go at patchwork.

There is, however, one fairly significant problem with that.

I don’t sew.

A sewing machine and I are unlikely to become close friends anytime soon.

Kinusaiga seemed to offer the best of both worlds: that lovely patchwork effect, lots of beautiful fabrics, but without actually having to sew anything together.

Obviously, I had to try it.

So, what exactly is Kinusaiga?

Kinusaiga is a Japanese textile art where pieces of fabric are tucked into grooves cut into a foam base to gradually build up a picture.

No stitching. No sewing machine.

That sounded much more promising.

I found a kit on Etsy and, as I already had some fabric, decided that was probably the easiest way to find out whether this was another passing rabbit hole or something I might actually enjoy.

Possibly not the best choice for a beginner…

Looking back, I probably should have started with something simple.

A few big shapes. Nice straight lines. Something forgiving.

Instead, I chose a butterfly with what felt like approximately 7,000 individual sections.

Because apparently I’m not one to shy away from a challenge.

Then came the bit I hadn’t really appreciated from watching all those deceptively easy-looking videos: cutting the grooves into the foam.

This turned out to be probably the hardest part of the whole thing.

Although I can’t entirely blame Kinusaiga for that.

A really sharp craft knife is essential.

Mine was, shall we say, not really sharp.

Lesson number one learned.

But slowly, one little piece of fabric at a time, the butterfly started to appear.

And this was the point where I started thinking:

Actually… this might work.

So I kept going.

The more sections I completed, the more satisfying it became. There was something strangely relaxing about choosing each piece of fabric, fitting it into place and gradually seeing the original drawing disappear.

Until eventually…

I had made my first Kinusaiga picture.

And despite making life considerably harder for myself than necessary, I loved the process.

What I’d do differently next time

I’ve already learned quite a bit from attempt number one.

A sharper knife would definitely be top of the list.

I’d also choose a slightly simpler design while I’m getting used to the technique, and I’d rethink my fabric choices. I love the fabrics individually, but together they’re probably a little too busy. Some plain colours mixed with patterned fabric would allow the design itself to stand out more.

But that’s part of trying something new, isn’t it?

You don’t have to get it completely right the first time.

You just have to have a go.

And unlike my continuing battle with crochet, this is one creative experiment where I’m very definitely going back for another attempt.

In fact, I’ve already ordered some plain fabric.

I’m now just waiting for the foam bases and sticky-back plastic to arrive.

So perhaps TikTok knew what it was doing after all.