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Barbara B. Suess
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Japanese Temari: A Colorful Spin on an Ancient Craft Paperback – July 15, 2007

by Barbara B. Suess (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 93 ratings
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For centuries, temari balls have been decorative additions to the Japanese household, and this introduction for the beginning temari-stitcher features straightforward directions and detailed sketches for recreating their bright colors and intricate designs. Each section introduces a new stitching technique, guiding the reader through the temari repertoire, until he/she has become a temari master by the book's conclusion. These crafts are inexpensive and fast to make—half of the 26 designs can be completed in less than two hours each. Sidebars throughout the book are loaded with beautiful watercolors and notes on Japanese culture and poetry, and colorful pictures and rich text make this unique craft book appealing to buyers both as a how-to guide and as a beautiful gift book.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    160 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Breckling Press
  4. Publication date
    July 15, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    8 x 0.52 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1933308125
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1933308128
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara Suess is a member of the Japan Temari Association, writes temari patterns, teaches temari classes, creates temari-inspired jewelry, and runs Kiku Designs, a temari business at www.japanesetemari.com. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Breckling Press; First Edition (July 15, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 160 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1933308125
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1933308128
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.52 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 93 ratings

About the author

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Barbara B. Suess

Barbara B. Suess

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When I discovered Japanese temari embroidery, I knew I'd found THE needlecraft for me. Living in Yokohama, Japan, for four years in the late 1980s had a profound and lasting effect on me, and these embroidered balls with their symmetry and deep Asian symbolism touch my heart. In the summer of 2015, I was deeply honored to be recognized at the top level of certification, Kyoujyu (Professor, Level 4) by the Japan Temari Association, headquartered in Tokyo.

Each temari is a different combination of design elements - a puzzle to figure out and put together with thread. Wrapping the ball with thread and stitching the repetitive patterns are calming, soothing activities for me. I like to begin with an idea that I want to express - the joy of a spring flower, the power of swirling water, a cool night in the Appalachian Mountains or a Celtic knot pattern of interlocking geometrical shapes. Then I dive into boxes of threads to choose colors and textures. Stitch it out, give it a name, snap a photo and find a home for the temari.

Many excellent temari crafters don't do any other kind of needlework. If you've not had any experience with embroidery but are attracted to temari designs, don't hold back. Start with the easy patterns in Japanese Temari, A Colorful Spin on an Ancient Craft.

Caution: Stitching temari can be highly addictive!

Don't say I didn't warn you :)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
93 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Cecily R. Pilzer
5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Temari: A Colorful Spin on an Ancient Craft Barbara Seuss
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book is an excellent book for those crafters look for ideas. I have another by the same author which I used all the time. The instructs are spot on and are compliment with a picture a finished ball.
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xstitchnan
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous for Beginners and Teachers!
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2011
Verified Purchase
I absolutely LOVE this book! This is a modern book with great photos throughout, making it fun to flip through and pick your next project. The instructions are very clearly and carefully written with plenty of photos to help you through most of the project.

What I especially appreciated was in the back portion of the book: How to Teach Temari. If you teach needlework at all, often you find the most difficult part is deciding where to start your students. This book breaks it down for you, and makes it possible for beginners to teach other beginners.

Using this book, I've made about 10 Temari, with each of them taking about 2 nights to complete.
5 people found this helpful
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Audrey
4.0 out of 5 stars Great for this beginner
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
Full of wonderful pictures, clear instructions and bits of history.
(these are just extra words so this review will publish)
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Karen L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational book, especially for a beginner!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
Beautiful book with high quality photos and illustrations. Barb carefully shows each step of the stitches she teaches, making them easy to learn. The photos are inspiring, and the sequence of the skills are good for a beginner like me. I highly recommend this book as a foundation to a Temari library.
3 people found this helpful
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RIRN
5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST!
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2015
Verified Purchase
THE BEST! Explains how to make a basic foundation mari. Illustrates many stitches. The drawings convey an excellent idea of the three-dimensional aspect of the embroidery. Illustrates simple divisions and C8 division. Instructions for 23 patterns, starting at beginner level and becoming progressively more complex. Includes a chart to help estimate thread requirements.
This book is also very pretty and printed on quality paper.
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Colorado Avid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and informative
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2015
Verified Purchase
Wonderful book, well-written and beautifully illustrated on the art and craft of temari. Barbara is a master of this craft and brings it to life for the reader. Follow the directions and create fantastic works of art for yourself while honing your talent.
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Brigitte
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2014
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Very good book for the beginner. Guides you all the way from wrapping the balls to the finished embroidered Temari ball. Many wonderful patterns and even some history and poems. I kept borrowing this book from the library and decided I needed my own copy. So glad I did.
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cj
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2019
Verified Purchase
Arrived quickly and is my favorite of all the Temari books that I have!
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Soft Kitty
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Temari Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
Really clear instructions and easy to follow and I like the fact that the pictures are large and clear. I would recommend this book to beginners and the more experienced.
I have other Temari books which have been highly rated but I found them very difficult to follow and I am not a beginner.
3 people found this helpful
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Eleanor (Australia)
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction to creating Temari
Reviewed in Australia on June 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very clear, easy to follow instructions & illustrations. Many useful tips for beginners. Gradual introduction of more intricate techniques. Lovely designs. Left handed instructions included too.
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Eleanor (Australia)
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect introduction to creating Temari
Reviewed in Australia on June 10, 2020
Very clear, easy to follow instructions & illustrations. Many useful tips for beginners. Gradual introduction of more intricate techniques. Lovely designs. Left handed instructions included too.
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Client d'Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy temari
Reviewed in France on October 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
A good introduction to temari craft and culture. Thanks to this book I have been able to make my own temari very quickly. I could even invent patterns after the 3rd one! I recommend this book if, like me, you have never touched a needle before (except for a desperate attempt to fix a button...) and if you like Japanese culture and to make original gifts to your loved ones!
One person found this helpful
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marta
4.0 out of 5 stars ideal principiantes
Reviewed in Spain on February 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
es ideal para principiantes como yo, aunque para inciar la bola no hay fotos solo indicaciones mejor eso mirarlo por internet.
El diseño de las bolas es sencillo para que no se te haga pesado y te indica que las primeras quizas no te salgan muy bien.
lo recomiendo totalmente, y solo decir animo a todos.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Got this book as a beginner to temari. It has a good range of designs, gradually getting more tricky throughout the book. A really good book for getting started.
2 people found this helpful
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