Vintage Thread Dyed for Kasuri - Dark Indigo

Dyed for a purpose it never fulfilled, this deep indigo thread was intended for kasuri weaving—a technique where yarns are patterned before weaving to form motifs in the final cloth. To create the signature white sections, thread is tightly bound in prescribed areas before dyeing. In this case, however, the resist binding has already been removed, and the thread was never woven. What remains is a beautiful artifact of the kasuri process, deeply saturated and rich with potential.

This variant was found separate from the other three hanks in our collection. It appears to be a different substrate—still likely cotton, but smoother and finer, with a more consistent twist and no thick or bulbous spots. The dark, near-black indigo suggests it was dipped many times in the vat to achieve such depth of color.

Uses
Though not originally made for hand-stitching, this thread invites creative experimentation. It’s strong and single-ply, with a slightly smoother glide than the other variants. We tested it with one, two, and three strands. All hold well, though they behave a bit differently than sashiko or embroidery floss:

• For best results, use with loosely woven fabrics or pre-punched surfaces.

• The finer twist makes it easier to pull through than the other kasuri threads—but it still may resist tight weaves.

• Layered strands create a slightly textured effect, but they’re more unruly than embroidery floss or sashiko thread.

We recommend this thread for textile collage, raw-edge appliqué, couching, slow stitching, and other surface design techniques where character and process are celebrated.

Sold in 30" lengths.
Made in Japan.