As our Japanese embroidery world is expanding to the rest of the world, we are receiving more and more questions and inquries about Japanese embroidery and the system at Japanese Embroidery Center. Therefore, we have created this FAQ section to help all new embroiders and even experienced stitchers to better understand us. We hope this section helps to fulfill your journey.

Q: What is Japanese embroidery?

A: As taught today, Japanese embroidery is the continuation of a thousand year-old tradition that first began in China, then spread to Japan and continued to the United States, New Zealand, Australia, England, Canada, Europe, and beyond.

Japanese embroidery, as defined by Master Iwao Saito (mentor to Shuji Tamura, JEC president), involves the mastery of forty-six techniques. JEC students are introduced to these techniques through a series of 10 Phases.  Specific designs and tools are used. Silk fabric with a transferred design is laced onto a frame and silk and metallic threads are used in the stitching process.

Q: I cannot travel to Atlanta for classes. What are my options?

A: There are several different ways to take advantage of instruction in Japanese embroidery:
1) JEC offers 4-day sessions designed specifically for beginners several times a year. If you cannot visit the Center, there is a worldwide network of certified Japanese embroidery teachers (complete list). Our textbooks, The Techniques of Japanese Embroidery by Mr. Shuji Tamura, and Japanese Embroidery through the Millennium by JEC, are designed to be companions to class instruction. JEC strongly advises beginning stitchers to study in a classroom setting as some critical preparation and finishing processes and techniques need to be demonstrated.
2) A student or small group of students (five or fewer) can arrange for private instruction at JEC (minimum $150.00/day.)
3) Larger groups of students can be accommodated as well.  Fees vary; please inquire.
4) A teacher from JEC will travel (all expenses paid) to teach a class to at least ten students.
5) Contact a teacher from the list of certified Japanese Embroidery instructors.
Please note: Some of the above options apply to Japanese Beading, which is typically held only once during the year. 
 

Q: I am a JEC member. How do I find out my membership expiration date?

A: JEC members receive our journal & newsletter upon subscription, and then every quarter until expiration. Please look for your membership expiration date on the address label of the envelope in which you receive your mailing of the journal/newsletter, as in the sample below:

Q: Can I display images of my completed embroideries, or those of my friends, on my website or in a personal newsletter? These designs are JEC artwork.

A: Please note that all JEC designs are copyrighted, therefore we ask you to please respect JEC intellectual property with the proper credit in your posting/display/etc. Please see below for samples of acceptable ways to display credit:




Please contact us first with your posting request before any display of JEC artworks.

Q: What should I expect in class?

A: Proper attention to class rules and atmosphere is paramount for everyone's benefit. Working in an environment where silence is the rule rather than the exception may seem awkward at first, but will seem natural and comfortable by the end of the day. Many find it is ideal for maximum concentration. Also, please remember to provide your own lunch. JEC staff is NOT available to transport students back and forth to their hotel for insurance reasons.
 

Q: I am a newcomer to Japanese Embroidery. I see that your four-day New Students Class begins tomorrow and I would like to come. Is it all right if I hand in my registration form and fees when I arrive at the class?

A: We always strive to accommodate our attending students as much as possible. When you contact us with your interest in attending class at the Center, we try to get back to you promptly with an information packet (class application, membership form, hotel & transportation recommendations, list of needed supplies, etc.) to give you the best chance at arriving prepared. (This exchange is most efficient by email.)

However, we ask that you please submit your class application and supplies order at least one week before the class. (More specialized classes such as Advanced Class, Bead Class, Phase X Class, and Teachers Class usually require much earlier notice.) It takes time for our instructors and staff to prepare for your arrival, and eleventh-hour registration may result in you/your classmates paying for wasted time as we scramble to get you ready—a good way to get off on the wrong foot with people you will be sharing workspace with for the next four days!

Q: I am dazzled by your products. Can I place my order by phone?

A: To ensure greater accuracy in ordering and processing, we strongly encourage you to order through our webstore; or submit your orders on our designated order forms, available for download from our website here. Order forms may be faxed, emailed, or snail mailed. (Please be sure to include your complete mailing address with ZIP/postal code, as well as payment information.)

Note that submission of a Fabric Order Form is mandatory for all orders of designs/fabric from our order department (except for those placed at our online store). Design/fabric orders placed without submission of a completed Fabric Order Form will not be accepted.

(E-mail-friendly versions of all of our order forms are also available upon request.)

Q: I would like to submit an order by email instead of using the webstore. Can I include my credit card information?

A: Credit card information (16-digit account number, current expiration, and CVV/crypto) should never be submitted by email, as it is not a secure venue. Please instead call or fax JEC with this info and we will keep it on record for you for ease in future purchasing. (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover accepted.)

Moreover, if you are emailing, we ask that you please send your order as attachment(s) of our order forms to ensure greater accuracy in receipt.



Q: I would like to order a certain design and fabric. Can you please quote me a price?

A: To calculate pricing, please refer to or download our Available Fabrics form (PDF). Due to staff limitations, it is difficult for us to answer a request for pricing alone. The fabric price includes transferred JEC designs onto JEC fabrics and are packaged with lacing thread, protective paper, design paper, and box chart and color photograph if available.

Q: Can you send me the box chart and color scheme for a design?

A: All orders for our Phase designs come with a color scheme list and box chart. There are also many other designs (Challenge, Practice, Series Book, etc.) in our catalogue for which we have a color scheme list and/or box chart. As with Phase pieces, such designs come with these stitching aids enclosed.

Producing a box chart or color scheme is an expense of time and labor for our limited staff, therefore many designs do not have a box chart or color scheme list. For designs for which we do not have a color scheme list on catalogue, JEC staff can create one for a $15.00 service charge per list. Note that any design has the potential for multiple color schemes, pending fabric color (many color schemes are not compatible between fabric colors). Please call or email us to inquire about the availability of a color scheme. (See Available Fabrics for in-stock fabric colors.)

We do not, however, accept requests to create box charts. (See our Design Catalog 2005 for an indexing of catalogued box charts.)

Q: Can I borrow or purchase JEC design papers to make my own transfers? A friend of mine says she can transfer designs for me.

A: JEC cannot sanction or endorse transfers done by other than our order department, or onto fabrics not purchased from or through us, or our Japanese affiliate, Kurenai-Kai. Moreover, JEC design papers are not available for loan or purchase, and are protected by copyright.

If your fabric was purchased from JEC without a transfer, please return it to us Attn: Order Department with Proof of Purchase form (included with all fabric orders) and we will gladly produce a design transfer free of charge (shipping additional). (Service available for transfer of JEC copyrighted designs only.)

Q: Can I order silk produced by manufacturers and stores other than JEC?

A: JEC carries an exclusive line of silk and metallic threads for which we can guarantee high quality (we cannot offer the same for materials purchased elsewhere). Each color has its own assigned number that is not compatible with other manufacturers' systems. Color cards of JEC silks are available for purchase at our webstore.

Q: I would like to order 70 30m and 10 360m tubes of flat silk. Can I have these in two weeks?

A: JEC silk winding is based on a preset length of 60m. Although we can, in some instances, wind silk in other lengths, please contact the office directly before submitting an order or planning a project. We have a limited inventory and staff, and winding different lengths of silk is not always possible.

If available, JEC will make every effort to fill a special order of flat silk in the time requested.
However, a special rush charge may apply. Again, please contact JEC for details.

Q: I have a design that measures almost 30 inches (weft direction) and is far too long for your regular 29" and 39" frames. How do I frame up this design?

A: For large designs, such as those on double-wide fabric, a 39" (long) frame with special extension components is necessary. If you own a 39" frame, you can purchase a set of these double-wide components, which includes long (36") weft bars & shuttle poles, wedge, ropes, and rivets (contact JEC for pricing and availability).

Please note: the set of extra framing tools does not come with instructions! Please attend a class at the Center and be given hands-on direction in framing up such a large piece.

Q: I am an overseas customer who is interested in ordering from your store. Can you quote me taxes/duties customs in my country will impose upon my order?

A: Order/shipping estimates we may provide do not include duties or value added taxes. If assessed, these charges are the responsibility of the package recipient, who will be billed for them by his/her local Customs office. Please endeavor to be at least somewhat familiar with customs regulations in your country (i.e., amounts imposed, required documents for passing, etc.) when ordering items from abroad.
 

Q: I would like to return an order for a full refund. To whom do I address it?

A: If a customer wishes to return an order, JEC must be notified first within 30 days of shipping with invoice. Under no circumstances will JEC accept a return order without prior notification, or for publication items. Customized orders, orders of our wish list fabric, or other high-priced items may be subject to a restocking fee.

Return orders should be addressed to:
Japanese Embroidery Center
2727 Spalding Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30350-4623
Attn: Order Dept - Returns

Insurance is recommended. (JEC is not liable for any damage incurred during return shipment.)

Q: I completed Phases I-IV from a Japanese embroidery teacher here in my home state. However, I recently purchased my first kit directly from JEC to begin working on Phase V and the techniques required are all far more advanced than anything I worked on in Phase IV. Why the disparity in skill level?

A: There are several answers to this question. First, ensure that the teacher from whom you take lessons is certified by JEC. That information is easily available on our website, or by contacting JEC directly. Teachers certified by JEC will have completed all 10 Phases and be qualified to teach students.

Also, ensure that the curriculum you are following proceeds directly from JEC (see JEC design catalog for available phase designs). If the pieces you are stitching do not originate from JEC or Kurenai-Kai, you might not be learning the necessary techniques to advance to stitching the JEC curriculum. Bear in mind that JEC's "Phase system" for organizing curriculum is unique to us and may not correspond to the curriculum of other parties/organizations (even if the generic term "Phase" is used to order it). JEC's Phases I-IX review previous techniques and introduce new ones, so feeling confounded or "in over your head" is to be expected if you have been proceeding with techniques learned elsewhere.

Q: Can you embroider a cap or jacket for me, or do you know anybody who can?

A: JEC is dedicated solely to the education of and sharing of traditional Japanese embroidery. For the decoration of clothing, please contact a commercial embroiderer.

Q: Can you help identify or appraise an antique Japanese embroidery or painting I own?

A: JEC is primarily a non-profit teaching institution with a very small staff. We do not have the resources to research and answer inquiries about antique embroidered works. Art appraisal should only be done by a certified expert. We suggest you contact the textile division of an art museum or log onto the website to RoadShow Antiques for helpful ideas.

Also suggested reading/resources:

http://www.artbusiness.com/freeapp.html

http://www.vanweyenbergh.com/Artappraisal.htm

Q: I would like to inquire about/order supplies for my Bunka embroidery project.

A: JEC's curriculum is comprised strictly of traditional Japanese embroidery (after the Kurenai-Kai school of Chiba, Japan) and Japanese bead embroidery. Bunka is not something we teach, supply, or are familiar with.

Q: Does JEC sell twisted silk thread?

A: JEC primarily sells flat silk thread. Students are expected to twist their own silk. However, katayori, "bumpy" tightly twisted silk used for special effects, is available for purchase in a limited range of colors. Techniques for making twisted thread are taught in class or detailed in the textbooks.

Q: What is a tekobari?

A: A tekobari, or stroking tool, is essential for Japanese Embroidery. It is a handmade tool used especially for laying flat silk smoothly. The proper use of a tekobari will be demonstrated in class.

Q: How long does it take to receive an order when placed?

A: Please allow three weeks from the date which JEC receives the order for fabric order preparation. If you need to expedite the order, please indicate so on the order form. There will be an additional $10.00 rush charge.