31 August, 2016

Japanese Laundry Hangers

 I received Happy Mail last week on a very difficult day.
It is amazing what a little package can do.


 Kyle, from Vacuuming The Lawn, sent me some labels to sew into a bag.

PLUS, a turquoise leather tassel that she made and some chalkoners - chalk markers that she bought because she likes them- she thought I might too. These chalk markers are to transfer different lines on your sewing pattern to your fabric. As you 'wheel' along, it dispenses chalk in a nice even line. The different colors are for dark and light fabrics. White won't show up on light colored fabric, so you could use the red or blue instead.

I have a white one from forty years ago that is very similar, but now they come in colors!



 Now, I need to sew  up a tote bag to do this tassel proud!





 This is my other happy mail. While I was in Japan, I noted how everyone does laundry there and really liked the portability and the storability of these hangers.

Back in Oregon, can I find them? Only the tiny lingerie sized ones. Maybe 16-20 pegs.

These are around 50 pegs. They both fold up to about 16 inches square by 3" deep. Easy to store by the washer.

I had wanted a clothes umbrella tree for years to dry my laundry outside. This is not usual in the states as we all have electric dryers.

Looking for a place to put a line up, or an umbrella, or anything, it was always gonna be in the way. Of people's heads, of airplane clearance, in the way of the other person in this household.

What I like about these is the small footprint. I can hang them out on my patio and then take them in when the clothes are dry.  They are in absolutely no ones way. Nor are they permanent.

The footprint is much smaller than a fold out laundry tree. My wind tunnel would blow over anything not secured - which just makes you cranky as you pick up laundry off the ground. Since these Japanese laundry hangers hook over something, they won't blow over.

I bought one in an aluminum frame. My friend in Kyoto and I both think this one will last the longest. The second one is plastic and the UV just kills these, making them brittle with age. The aluminum one also has clips that look like I can fix with household parts if they break.



 I finally took the plunge and asked my Japanese friend to purchase two for me and I am so happy I did. Each rack will hold a small to medium load of laundry which is normal in my house nowadays. I can even hang them inside if a case of Oregon rain comes by.


And you get a peek at  my laundry. 


 




***last day......SALE continues in my friend's Etsy Shop;
CraftyTokyoMama
on etsy. Use Coupon code AUGUST20 throughout the month of August to get 20% off your purchase.

Don't forget about Etsy Love - even if you don't buy anything - just hover over the heart on each listing and tap on it. (thanks!)

9 comments:

  1. It's fun receiving gifts or surprises when it's not Christmas. They're the best kind.

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  2. You deserve nice gifts as you are so generous to others. Why were you having a tough day? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  3. Those Chakoners are Japanese, yet I've never seen them here. I'll keep an eye open for them now.
    The great thing about those hangers is that you only have to unhook the main hook to bring the whole thing inside when it starts raining. So much faster than unpegging each individual shirt hanging on a clothesline like I used to do. I'm relieved they got there okay even without a box!
    That turquoise tassel is awesome!

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    1. I first saw the Chakoners in Janet Pray's Craftsy class (the jean jacket one) and LOVE them. The line is very thin and fine so you can sew directly on it, very exact.

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  4. YAY for happy mail! I received your postcard yesterday--thank you for your thank you note!

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    1. p.s. I did not know about the ice cream stamps--how cool is that??

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  5. You are going to use that wonderful tassel on a bag...I want some too :-). I can't wait to see the finished product.

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  6. Wow, cool laundry hangers! You could dye some clothesline on it! :) Nice chalk wheels too. I didn't know they came in so many colors either!

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