Temari Treasures: Japanese Thread Balls and More

The centuries-old custom of making temari--Japanese thread balls--began as a way of making children's toys from recycled threads and evolved into formal embroidered works of art given for special celebrations. Learn how to make these beautiful thread-wrapped and embroidered spheres with the extensive instructions in this guide. A great deal more in the way of color illustrations would have helped to clarify some of the complex directions, but crafters already a bit familiar with the technique will find nine intricate designs to try, supplemented with many diagrams. --Amy Handy