Barbie-sized Temari

Very small temari I had made years ago. I just found them under a dresser. I think my cat thought they were toys. The designs on these were done with regular sewing thread. It makes the design look intricate and just like a full size temari, but 1:6 scale.


Here is a pic of the temari next to my Happy New Year Barbies, for size comparison.

And, it's a dark picture, but one of the temari being held in the hand of a maiko Barbie I made, and the other temari at her feet. They are perfect size for Barbie sized dolls.

Temari

Temari are Japanese ornaments made by embroidering designs over a ball wrapped in thread. Originally these were made as toys for young girls, but now it is a traditional Japanese art.

Making temari is a fun craft, and can be learned easily with a good book. I recommend this one. You will see many of my temari pictured below were learned from this book.


Colors used can be as playful as you like. Red, White, and Blue is a fun theme, I've seen collections of many temari in these colors photographed together.

This pattern is one of the easiest to make. It is a chrysanthemum, called "Kiku" in Japanese.









This Kiku temari uses colors inspired by Seattle Seahawks football team.


This one I used the colors used in a kimono I had seen.


This is a large temari. Before wrapping in thread, I cut it in half and inserted a bell so that the temari rings when shaken.






An all pink temari made for Breast Cancer Awareness.


An egg shape is not traditional, but temari technique is excellent for making Easter decorations.


A different colored flower is used on each side.




A red, white, and blue kiku. This is one of the first I've made.






This is a variation of the kiku pattern. It reminds me of a yabane (arrow) pattern used in old kimono.