N° 123 constellation scarf - light stitching - umi blue

A Japanese cotton scarf, embroidered entirely by hand with antique Nishijin silk thread. Each one takes about 4-5 hours of hand stitching and is made to order in my New York studio.

The scarf is cut from the same cloth as the constellation hanten, a crepe woven by KuwanoShinken, a third-generation weaver and maker from Kurume, Japan, from cotton threads dyed in Chikugo. It has a soft, fluffy touch and a subtle gloss that’s unusual in cotton, and it stays light and breathable.

The thread is Nishijin silk sourced from Kyoto, traditionally used to embroider kimono and obi. I stitch every scarf myself in a scattered stitch, so I take a limited number of orders at a time. 

Features a patch pocket on each side. 

Stitching: Light. Leaving more open space in the cloth.  Takes about 4-5 hours of handwork. 

On Nishijin Silk

Nishijin is the Kyoto district that has woven silk for kimono and obi for over a thousand years. Its thread is dyed before weaving, giving it a depth of color that newer thread can’t match. The antique thread used here has softened into a gentle luster over time.

Details & Craft

• Stitching: Light. The scarf is covered in embroidery, stitched freehand with no template or pattern.

• Process: Embroidered entirely by hand in scattered stitches. No two are alike. Each takes 4-5 hours of handwork.

• Cloth: 100% cotton Kurume crepe by KuwanoShinken, woven from Chikugo-dyed cotton thread.

• Thread: Antique Nishijin silk thread from Kyoto

• Fill: 70% cotton, 30% polyester. 

• Embroidery: Hand-stitched constellation pattern in antique Nishijin silk thread, which catches the light with a soft sheen. I stitch freehand, with no template or pattern, so each hanten is one of one, even if two look similar at first glance.

Size & Measurements 

• One size

• Length  68" / Width 8"

Edition: Made to order. Each scarf is stitched freehand, so no two are identical.

Material Care

Hand wash cold and air dry. To press, use a low-temperature iron or steam with a press cloth. Please avoid rubbing or wringing the embroidered areas.  The silk embroidery may show subtle variations in tone and sheen, part of the character of antique thread.  

Production & Delivery

Each hanten is made to order, and I embroider every one myself, so I take a limited number of orders at a time. Please allow roughly 2-3 weeks for production before shipment.  For specific time requirements or questions, please write to me at info@considered-objects.com.

Handmade in New York City.