Youngmin's May 2025 Newsletter Flowers are everywhere

Spring is in full bloom

 

I started April in Mexico City and had a great week there. Visiting museums and learning about rich history and culture of Mexico was an eye-opening experience. I taught five courses and met so many kind and talented people. My host, Lili, took such a good care of me during my stay. Inviting and hosting someone you don't know well can be quite a challenge, but Lili did it beautifully. We spent time together, sharing our mutual interests in textiles, culture, and history. 
사월의 시작은 멕시코 시티에서! 짧은 한 주 여행이었지만 멕시코 문화와 역사에 눈을 뜨는 좋은 경험이었습니다. 다섯가지 다른 워크샵을 가르치는 동안 많은 사람들을 만났지요. 매일 매일이 감동의 순간이었습니다. 이 모든걸 만들어내고 일주일 내내 저를  보살펴준 릴리에게 많이 고마웠습니다.


Teaching at QuilteArte was pure joy! People traveled not only from the local area but also from distant places such as Los Angeles (yes, from the US!), Cancún, and many other cities. Members of Mexico Modern Quilt Guild also came to support me, and I can't express how much I appreciated their love and encouragement. ¡Muchas gracias! 
Little by little, I learned a few Spanish words, such as caballito (literally "little horse," but also meaning gamchimjil, or whip stitch), un punto atrás (bageumjil, backstitch), and Hilván (homjil, running stitch). We all spoke a universal language: hand sewing! Each class was filled with enthusiastic participants, and together we sewed, laughed, ate, and sewed some more.
다들 친절하고 정이 많고 바느질 솜씨도 좋은 사람들이 멕시코 시티뿐만 아니라 엘에이며 칸쿤 그리고 다른 도시에서 비행기를 타고 차를 타고 왔습니다. QuilteArte퀼트샵에선 말이 통하지 않아도 우리들의 공통언어인 손바느질이 서로를 이해하게 하고 웃음이 끊이지 않았지요. 멕시코 모던 퀼터들의 전폭적인 지지도 빼놓을 수 없었지요. 고마워요!



Outside of the workshops, I fully immersed myself in this colorful city. I miss the beautiful jacaranda blossoms and would love to return. ( In fact, Lili has actually invited me back, and I'm definitely going!)
워크샵외의 시간에는 다채로운 색을 보여주는 이 도시의 매력에 푹 빠져버렸습니다. 봄에  만개하는 하카란다 나무의 보라색 꽃을 실컷볼 수 있어서 정말 행운이었습니다. 이렇게 많은 추억을 만들고도 아쉬운 마음이 가득해서 다음에 꼭 다시 돌아가기로했어요. 


I was also reconnect with my dear friend, Lucy. She was my first remote student who later became a good friend. She found me online and asked me to teach her bojagi. I sent a sample piece, and she sent her work back to me by regular mail. It took some time, but she quickly learned-she's an experienced quilt teacher after all. In 2016, she traveled to Korea with me and a few other quilting friends from California, Hawaii, and Oregon. That trip gave me the confidence to launch my Korea Textile Tour. 
멕시코 시티에 가면 꼭 만나야할 오랜 친구, 루시와도 연락이 되어서 좋은 시간을 보냈습니다. 10여년전 루시는 저의 보자기 제자였습니다. 우편으로 과제를 보내면 루시가 만들어 다시 제게 보내는  방법으로 공부한 인연이 한국 여행도 함께 하는 사이가 되었었답니다. 캘리포니아, 하와이, 오레곤의 퀼터 친구들과 한께한 이 한국여행이 제가 텍스타일 투어를 기획하는데 도움을 줬습니다. 자신감이 생겼거든요.

My tours are full this year, but if you're interested in exploring Japan, I highly recommend checking out Nancy's Kyoto Kimono website. I took her tour in 2018 with my dear friend Carlene, and we had a wonderful time. Nancy also gave me valuable advice when I was first starting my tour. When the Korea Textile Tour was formed, it was supported by many generous people.
올가을 한국 투어는 만석입니다만 혹시 일본의 교토여행을 꿈꾸신다면 낸시의 교토 여행을 권합니다. 저도 2018년에 친구 칼린과 함께 참여하고 좋은 추억을 만들었었습니다. 낸시는 제 투어를 시작할때 조언을 아끼지 않았던 고마운 선배이기도 합니다.


After returning from Mexico City, I took a few days to rest and then packed again for talks and a workshop at the PVQA in Aptos, the Mingei International Museum in San Diego, and Zoom talk for ASDP (Association of Sewing and Design Professionals).

멕시코 시티에서 돌아와 잠시 숨을 고르고 산타 크루즈와 샌디애고에 강연과 워크샵을 하러 다녀왔습니다. 사이사이에 줌 강연과 라디오 인터뷰도 있었습니다.  



In between these two locations, I had the opportunity to speak on KWMR Radio’s AIRWAVES on Tuesday, April 15, at 9 a.m.
If you’re curious about the topic of my discussion, here’s the link.

In-person or virtual, I love to meet people and share my passion. 
I am heading to the Pacific Northwest this week to teach a 4-day workshop at Botanical Colors. This will be a time that I can teach bojagi in depth.
I also will have time to sign my book. So if you are near Seattle, please come over! 
대면도 비대면도 저에게는 항상 보자기로 인연을 맺는 값진 기회가 됩니다. 내일은 짐싸서 시애틀로 가서 워크샵을 할 예정입니다. 4일간의 워크샵이라서 천천히 많은 것을 나눌 수 있겠지요.
If you are on the other side of this country, please join me at the Sanborn Mills Farm in New Hampshire in late June or QBL (Quilting By the Lake) in Syracuse in July.
6월과 7월에는 동부로 갑니다. 거기서 만날까요?

Have a wonderful May!
오월 잘 보내시고 곧 다시 만나요!

Pitaya bloom lasts just one day-Lili's neighborhood in Mexico City

Pincushions (Proteas)-Marty's backyard in San Diego is full of these beautiful shape and color. 


 

Bearded Iris from my garden

California Poppy, happy spring color
 

Workshops and Events 

Two months in a row, I write my newsletter while packing my big bag with bojagi materials. 
This time, I’m embarking on a journey to the Pacific Northwest, where I’ll have the pleasure of meeting some of you there! Upon my return, I’ll transition to the SDA online workshop. I hope you all enjoy spending time with me! 

Many of you asked about when I am going to teach a class locally.
I am going to have a book signing event and 
a class in the Bay Area!
Saturday, June 7, I will have a book signing event and a class at 
A Verb for Keeping Warm in Oakland.
If you've been following me for a while, you know how I started this Oyat kkot pinchshion. I used AVKW's naturally dyed fabrics to start this project. If you are in the Bay Area, please come and say hi to me!

Another class that I am going to teach is 
Tatter's Hand-sewn Quilting Series II. I will be teaching Yeouijumun technique on June 5, as a part of this series with other wonderful teachers. Check this out and join me in this intricate hand sewing technique!

지난달에 이어 이번달에도 뉴스레터를 쓰면서 여행가방을 챙깁니다. 이번에는 북쪽으로 방향을 잡고 시애틀로 갑니다. 거기서 만날분들,  곧 갑니다. 그리고 돌아오면 SDA 온라인 워크샵에서 만날분들도 기다려주세요! 6월에는 오클랜드에서 워크샵과 책 사인 모임을 하니 동네분들 오세요!


May 1-4, Botanical Colors, Seattle, WA
In-person class

May 17 & 24,
Surface Design Association Workshop
Online class

June 5 Tatter's Hand-Sewn Quiltging Sereis II 

June 7, A Verb for Keeping Warm Oyat Kkot Pincushion class and book signing

June 25-29,
Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH
In-person class

July 21-25,
QBL-Quilting By the Lake, Syracus, NY
In-person class
Korea Textile Tour 2025 
October 20-23, 2025
November 5-15, 2025
Both tours are full.
Future tour interest list 
sign up here!
Book is available here
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