Portland Japanese Garden is partnering with textile artisan Judilee Fitzhugh to provide a series of three textile workshops. In each session, relax and enjoy the rhythmic dance of needle and thread as you learn to use the meditative art of hand-stitching to construct Japanese and garden inspired projects.
Each workshop will run from 9:30 am until 4 pm, which includes 6 hours of instruction and a 30-minute lunch break. Participation is limited to 20 students. Workshops are open to students of all levels of sewing abilities.
Workshop Dates and Projects:
March 13: Year of the Snake Sashiko
April 10: Maekake (前掛け) Apron
May 8: Happi
May 15: If a class is cancelled due to a weather cancellation, the class will happen on this date.
Location:
Yanai Family Classroom, Portland Japanese Garden
Pricing:
Purchasing the full workshop series as a bundle reflects a 10% savings versus individual class tickets
Full Workshop Series:
Members: $395
Non-Members: $475
Individual Classes:
Purchase individual classes à la carte in the event details section below.
All tools and materials are included in the workshop fee. Coffee, tea, water, and light snacks will be provided. Students should bring their own lunch. Students may bring a small sewing kit if desired.
Event Details:
Thursday, March 13, 2025: Year of the Snake Sashiko
Sashiko (刺し子), literally “little stabs”, is a form of decorative reinforcement stitching using a running stitch technique. It is now famed worldwide for its striking traditional indigo-and-white color scheme and complex decorative patterns. In celebration of 2025, the year of the snake, this workshop will feature a new sashiko project designed especially for this textile series. According to folklore, people born under this zodiac sign are determined, wise, and fortunate in money matters.
$140 for Members
$170 for Non-Members
Sold Out
Thursday, April 10, 2025: Maekake, a Work Apron
In Japan, a traditional workman’s apron is known as a maekake (前掛け). The traditional Japanese workwear was beloved by shopkeepers and dates to the Edo Period (1603-1868). The straps tied around the waist were believed to also protect the back. We’ll make a short denim work apron with optional pockets and embellish it with a sashiko patch.
$140 for Members
$170 for Non-Members
Individual workshop on sale to Golden Crane Society 2/26, Members: 3/5, Public: 3/12
Sold Out
Thursday, May 8, 2025: Happi
Perfect for light cover indoors or as a jacket in warmer weather, a happi is a versatile and stylish addition to your wardrobe. In Japan, happi are loose-fitting casual cotton jackets often worn at festivals or to identify members of a group. They are also popular among Portland Japanese Garden staff and volunteers! In this final workshop of the series, students will learn to sew a fashionable modern version of a happi, with a variety of fabrics and basic sleeve options to further personalize your jacket.
$160 for Members
$190 for Non-Members
(This workshop is priced to help accomodate the additional costs of materials for these jackets.)
Individual workshop on sale to Golden Crane Society 3/26, Members: 4/2, Public: 4/9
About Judilee Fitzhugh:
Judilee Fitzhugh is a textile artisan who specializes in natural plant dyes and couture sewing. A tour of duty in Japan with the U.S. Navy led to a profound Japanese influence and a lifelong affection for indigo and plant fibers. She gained her Certificate in Craft at the Oregon College of Art and Craft in 2002 and taught in the BFA and Studio School programs until the school’s closure in 2019. Her finely crafted work combines natural objects with vintage fabric remnants, hand weaving, and surface design to portray a single moment in history.
Feedback from past students:
“Fabulous location, people, and instruction. Judilee is so generous and positive.”
“Loved these classes! The Garden + the people + the instructor + facility…all the stars lined up!”
“Our teacher gave us the precious gift of artistic creativity, and inspiration!”
