What is kinusaiga, exactly?
Kinusaiga (kee-noo-SYE-gah) is a Japanese fabric art created by artist Setsu Maeno in the 1980s, built on the much older kimekomi tradition. Instead of paint, you use cloth. Shallow grooves get carved into a foam board following a printed template, a piece of fabric is laid over each section, and the raw edges are tucked down into the grooves until they disappear. The result has the depth and gradient of a painting with the soft, quilted texture of fabric. Nothing is sewn, drawn, or painted.
Is this the same thing as quilting or applique?
No. There's no needle, no thread, and no sewing machine anywhere in this. Quilting and applique join fabric with stitches. Kinusaiga holds fabric in place by tucking its edges into carved grooves, which is why the finished surface has that pillowed, seamless look. Quilters do tend to fall hard for it because it uses fabrics they already know well, but you don't need a single day of quilting experience to start.
Do I need any prior art or craft experience?
No experience needed. This course was designed for people who don't consider themselves artists. You don't need to know how to draw, paint, or sew. If you can cut fabric with scissors and tuck it into a groove with the back of a seam ripper, you can do this. Hannah's in-person classes are built for total beginners, and this course teaches the same way: one small step at a time.
When does the course begin? Can I go at my own pace?
The moment your purchase goes through, everything unlocks: all five modules, the welcome video, and both bonuses. It's all pre-recorded, so you can start right now at 2 AM or next Saturday morning, whatever works for your schedule. Watch one module a day or binge the entire thing in one afternoon. There's no schedule to follow and no deadlines to meet.
What materials and supplies do I need?
A one-inch foam board, double-sided adhesive sheets, sharp scissors, a craft knife, and an ordinary seam ripper that costs a couple of dollars. Most craft or hardware stores carry all of it, and Module 1 shows you the exact foam board Hannah buys. Add a 9-inch shadow box if you'd like to frame it. For fabric, quilting cottons and batiks are what you want; a 9-inch piece takes very little cloth, so scraps and fat quarters go a long way. Starting from scratch, most people spend $25 to $40 on supplies, and much less if you already have fabric. There's nothing to memorize: the full supplies list is a printable PDF at the very start of the course.
How big is the finished piece?
The course walks you through Hannah's 9" x 9" Sunrise Over the Cascades landscape, framed in a standard 9-inch shadow box with a one-inch internal depth. She shows you how to prep it, including why she removes the glass. It's real wall art, sized to hang. And the technique itself scales: once you've learned it at this size, the same method works on larger boards whenever you're ready.
Do I need to use the exact same fabric shown in the course?
No, and you probably won't want to. The template lists the fabric types Hannah used, batiks for the sky and mountains and florals for the meadow, so you know what to look for. The palette itself is yours. That's the whole nature of this art form: nobody else has your exact combination of fabric, so nobody else could make your piece.
How long does it take to finish a piece?
Set aside an afternoon for the build, and don't rush the fabric choosing; that's half the fun. Hannah's advice through the whole course is that it's not a race. Some people finish in a day, plenty spread it across a weekend, and you can pause at any point and pick up where you left off.
Is it comfortable to do for an afternoon?
Yes. The motions are light. The board is soft foam, so carving is a slow, easy cut rather than something you force, and tucking is pressing fabric edges in with the back of a seam ripper. There's no hand-sewing and no threading needles. The finished piece is 9" x 9", a small board that sits on the table in front of you, and since everything is pre-recorded, you can stop for a break whenever you like. The camera stays close-up the whole time, so each step is easy to see.
What do I make after the first piece?
Whatever you like, and most people start a second one within the week. The same template gives you a completely different piece every time you change the fabric, and Bonus 02 is a full second build in a new colorway so you're never staring at a blank board wondering where to start. Once the technique clicks, it works exactly the same way on larger boards. Finished pieces make the kind of gift people keep on the wall for years.
Is this a one-time payment?
Yes, $47 once, and that's the end of it. There's no subscription hiding behind it and no 'premium upgrade' waiting on the other side. You pay once and own access to the course and both bonuses permanently.
What if I'm not satisfied with the course?
You're covered by the full 30-day money-back guarantee. If the workshop isn't for you, even if you just change your mind, send one email within 30 days and your refund arrives within 24 hours. Nobody will ask you to explain.
How long do I have access to the course?
Your access never expires. Watch and re-watch every module as many times as you want, whenever you want, for as long as the internet exists. If we ever update or add new content, you get that too at no extra charge.
What format is the course delivered in?
The entire course is video-based, and the camera stays close, so you can see every cut and tuck as Hannah does it, with the repetitive stretches sped up. You also get Hannah's printable 9" x 9" template PDF with her fabric recommendations printed right on it, plus the bonus videos. Everything works on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Is it safe to purchase online?
Your payment runs through a secure, SSL-encrypted checkout with PayPal, Visa, or Mastercard. Your card details are never stored on our servers. It's the same checkout security you get from any major retailer.
