3. Mount for kimono display
Object: bolster made to display a kimono from a production of Madama Butterfly (San Francisco Opera, 1931) for an exhibition at the Museo Italo Americano, Bravo: Celebrating San Francisco Opera, Its Italian Roots and Legacy.
Dimensions (bolster): 49" long, 5.5" diameter
Materials: aluminum rod, foam tubing, polyester batting, cotton jersey, silk fabric, polyester thread
Technique: Foam tubing was wrapped around an aluminum rod, then polyester batting was wrapped around foam. Width of foam measured 1/2" less than the shoulder width of the kimono, so when in use it supports the width of the kimono but is not visible. Edge of batting was whip stitched to itself. Cotton jersey was whip stitched to batting, then stretched around bolster, and whip stitched to itself. All edges of silk outer layer were finished with machine stitching, with channels sewn into the left and right edges for elastic drawstring. Silk fabric was then whip stitched to jersey layer, wrapped around bolster, and whip stitched to itself. Kimono was hung on and secured to bolster with backward looping stitches at neck and shoulders.
This project was completed in collaboration with conservation technician Pauline Nguyen, with most hand and machine stitching, and all stitching pictured, done by me.
