The 11th HOHO was held at H.P.DECO in Omotesando, and was titled "OEKAKI Workshop Using a Sewing Machine," where participants tried their hand at making a one-of-a-kind handkerchief using an embroidery machine! "Embroidery" has an image of being painstaking, detailed, and painstaking work, but with the arrival of the OEKAKI50 drawing machine, released by Aisin Seiki in 2015, it has become much easier to do.

Each participant was provided with an OEKAKI50. First, they chose a sketch that would serve as a motif for their drawing. The sketches feature four motifs, including birds and flowers, taken from a coloring book by HOHO member and KIGI designer Yoshie Watanabe, titled "Coloring Book of Little Red Riding Hood, The Nutcracker, and Alice in Wonderland." Next, Aisin Seiki's Hosoda and Sakamoto will give a lecture on the OEKAKI50's drawing function and how to use it. "Unlike the embroidery functions of a typical sewing machine, the OEKAKI50 allows you to embroider in free motion, moving the fabric yourself. Using the foot controller, you can also adjust the stitch width, and you can embroider your ideas as if you were "drawing" them onto the fabric, allowing you to enjoy creating even more creative pieces," says Hosoda.


Tracing a motif designed by Yoshie Watanabe as a rough sketch
Once you've traced your chosen sketch onto the fabric with a chalk pen, it's time to put the OEKAKI50 to work. Even if you haven't used a sewing machine since home economics class, don't worry, as the two Aisin Seiki staff will show you how to load the upper thread, wind the bobbin, and set the bobbin. After loading your preferred color of thread into the sewing machine, you'll start by practicing embroidering straight lines. Once you've gotten a feel for how much pressure you should apply to the foot controller (which adjusts the width of the embroidery) and how to move the fabric, you can move on to the actual fabric.



Apparently, attaching fusible interfacing to the back of the actual fabric makes it easier to sew, which is key to achieving a beautiful finish. Everyone is silently struggling with the sewing machine. Some even add their favorite letters to the original sketch, resulting in uniquely original embroidery pieces. It's exciting just to watch the entire embroidery gradually take shape on the pure white canvas.


The finished embroidery
In addition to the motifs in the sketch, there are also original designs that add alphabets

On the same day, an event was being held for BELLOCQ, a Brooklyn-based blended tea brand stocked at H.P.DECO, featuring Isao Kudo, the owner of Amefri, a chai shop located in Mishima, Shizuoka. The lovely aroma of spicy chai and sweet milk wafted all the way to the workshop venue. At the end of the workshop, guests were served three types of chai lattes, each made with BELLOCQ's "chai" blend tea, carefully brewed by Isao Kudo, helping to relax their tired bodies after a day of concentration.

Belloq "No.18 Afghani Chai", "No.121 Canyon Chai", "No.120 Fireside Chai"

Amefri owner Kunai-san
HOHO will continue to provide wonderful "methods" that will make you nod in agreement, and together with the wise owl "HOHO", we look forward to welcoming you.


■Aisin Seiki "Egg of Smiles"
http://www.egatama.jp/