Interested in joining WMQFA’s tour to Japan in May but want to know more before you sign up?* This session is for you! Join us on Friday, December 13 at 3pm central for an informational zoom chat.

No registration is required. Everyone interested in the Japan trip is welcome to attend: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85445272263?pwd=k86ojthg91niReIXf7sKAY48UAP29H.1

Meet the three guides leading the trip: Emily Schlemowitz, WMQFA’s Senior Curator, Artist Sarah Nishiura, and trip planner and translator Takako Willden.

They’ll go over the trip itinerary, then open it up for your questions. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more from the ones guiding you through Japan.

Meeting ID: 854 4527 2263

Passcode: 817398

*Please note, there will be a separate information session in January/February for those registered for the trip to assist with trip logistics.

Tour Fee: $10/Members $15/Non Members

All proceeds go to supporting the Museum

Join us for an immersive experience as Takako Willden, a Niigata, Japan, native and Cedarburg local leads you through the gallery of Akiko's work!

Takako was instrumental in helping to connect Akiko Ike with the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts, and served as a fulltime translator during Akiko’s stay. She is now thrilled to share the knowledge she absorbed from the artist herself as she guides you through the gallery.

Photographs are welcomed, we just ask that you do not use a flash.

Guided Tour from 9am-10am

Workshop from 10am-Noon

Workshop Description: The day will start with a private tour led by Takako Willden through the gallery of Akiko Ike’s hanging work. Here, Takako, will explain Akiko’s unique technique and style by pointing out specific examples, and will be happy to take any questions from class participants.

This immersive experience will be followed by a two-hour workshop, where you have the opportunity to make one Chiku Chiku Kay Bag using the same Japanese cotton and special Sashiko thread dyed in Niigata, Japan that Akiko Ike herself uses. Takako learned the technique directly from Akiko while in Japan, and with Akiko’s blessing, she is able to offer this workshop here in Cedarburg Wisconsin! If you enjoy hand sewing, this is for you!

Kaya is a Japanese term for the material used in mosquito netting, which Akiko often recycles into her own artwork. The Kaya bags you will be making in class will be similar to a tote bag in size. The body of the bag will be Japanese Kaya (mosquito netting) material which you will personalize through chiku-chiku stitching.

• All the Kaya bag supplies will be provided (Kaya netting, Boro fabric, thread, needle)

• We will be Chiku-Chiku stitching the bag body and handles

Please bring a pair of scissors to cut your thread as you work. 

Participants can bring a sewing machine if they would like to try to complete the project during the workshop. Or they can take the bag body and straps home to assemble at a later time with a machine or through hand sewing. A sewing machine is NOT required.

*Extra Sashiko thread and other items from Akiko’s shop will be for sale during the workshop. Purchases must be made in USD cash (No ATM onsite) Please plan accordingly, Thank you*

Guided Tour from 6pm-7pm

Workshop from 7pm-8:30pm

Workshop Description: The evening will start with a private tour led by Takako Willden through the gallery of Akiko Ike’s hanging work. Here, Takako, will explain Akiko’s unique technique and style by pointing out specific examples, and will be happy to take any questions from class participants.

This immersive experience will be followed by a 1.5-hour workshop, where you have the opportunity to make two Chiku Chiku Coaster using the same Japanese cotton and special Sashiko thread dyed in Niigata, Japan that Akiko Ike herself uses. Takako learned the technique directly from Akiko while in Japan, and with Akiko’s blessing, she is able to offer this workshop here in Cedarburg Wisconsin! If you enjoy hand sewing, this is for you!

Please bring a pair of scissors to cut your thread as you work.

Teacher Biography: A native of Japan, Takako Willden is mostly a self-taught artist who enjoys learning from the experts. She loves to find ways to repurpose Boro fabrics from Japan and make them into something beautiful and useful. Takako learned the technique directly from Akiko while in Japan, and with Akiko’s blessing, she is able to offer this workshop.

Guided Tour from 9am-10am

Workshop from 10am-Noon

Workshop Description: The day will start with a private tour led by Takako Willden through the gallery of Akiko Ike’s hanging work. Here, Takako, will explain Akiko’s unique technique and style by pointing out specific examples, and will be happy to take any questions from class participants.

This immersive experience will be followed by a two-hour workshop, where you have the opportunity to make one Chiku Chiku Brooch using the same Japanese cotton and special Sashiko thread dyed in Niigata, Japan that Akiko Ike herself uses. Takako learned the technique directly from Akiko while in Japan, and with Akiko’s blessing, she is able to offer this workshop here in Cedarburg Wisconsin! If you enjoy hand sewing, this is for you!

Please bring a pair of scissors to cut your thread as you work.

Teacher Biography: A native of Japan, Takako Willden is mostly a self-taught artist who enjoys learning from the experts. She loves to find ways to repurpose Boro fabrics from Japan and make them into something beautiful and useful. Takako learned the technique directly from Akiko while in Japan, and with Akiko’s blessing, she is able to offer this workshop.

$140/$115 WMQFA Members with Code

Saturday, May 20, 2023

9:00am to 2:00pm

In this five-hour workshop, led by Akiko Ike, an internationally-recognized fiber artist and teacher from Niigata, Japan, each participant will have an opportunity to make one casual cloth bag, designed by Ike, using Japanese artisan apron. The apron is a strong canvas-like material. Akiko will teach “Chiku Chiku” stitches using special Sashiko thread dyed in Niigata, Japan. Depending on how you decide to finish the bag, there may be some sewing to be done at home outside the workshop.

“Chiku Chiku” is an onomatopoeic word Ike uses to describe the sound her needle makes as she stitches.

Friday, May 19, 2023

5:30pm to 7:00pm, talk begins at 6:00pm

$30/$25 WMQFA Members

Join us for an opening night celebration and gallery walk-through of the museum’s newest exhibit, given by exhibiting artist Akiko Ike. Immerse yourself in Ike’s incredible body of work in this first North American solo exhibition of the artist. The walk-through will be in Japanese with an English translator. Light refreshments will be served.