There are several ways you can go about learning Temari. If you are lucky, somewhere near you there is a class offered in a needlework shop or other likely source. But, this is not usually the case. Thankfully Temari is very easy to learn on your own, and now with email it's even better. You can also check the Temari Makers List and the Temari Teachers List on this site to see if there are folks in your area that are willing to be contacted locally.
There are several very good books on the American/Western market that will all give you the basics as well as each being different, so a complete library of them all is not uncommon. Online booksellers keep the prices so low as to make it wasier financially as well. These are all listed on the books page on this site. In particular, Temari - How to Make Japanese Thread Balls by Diana Vandervoort, and The Craft of Temari by Mary Wood (currently 3/01 out of print, but can be found on secondary markets and auction) are particularly good for beginning crafters. My strongest suggestion is investing in any or all of these books.
In addition to a book, you will need some basic supplies. Temari are these days made using stryrofoam or polystyrene balls, usually 3 inch diameter (27cm circumference). Some authors will adivse using batting as an underlayer - it is optional. Likewise, some authors will advise using a yarn (fine yarn - two ply if possible) underwrap. This too is optional. What is not optional is thread, plain old sewing thread. Plan on 300 yards to use to wrap the styro ball to prepare it for stitching. As you move into the craft you will find that purchasing thread by the cone is more economical, but for the beginner, a few spools in the beginning will be better since you will have a good way to learn the feel of how much to wrap - a 300 yard spool will nicely cover a 3 inch ball, if the the wrapping is snug and even as it should be - on a ball with underlayers of yarn or yarn and batting. If you use thread alone, you will use a little more. Overall the diameter of the wrapped ball will increase between a quarter to half inch.
So, we are up to styro balls, thread - add to it metalilc thread to mark with, several colors of pearl cotton to stitch with, a cotton-darner type needle (on the long side), scissors, colored headed pins, a piece of paper, and a measuring tape, and you're on your way.
Most of these supplies can be had in one stop at a good craft/fabric store, or in an order from a good craft/needlework catalog (ok. maybe two stops or orders), if you don't already have many of them popping around the house now. You will soon find, after you get the basic hang of it, that many other threads and items can be used to fulfill the needs of the basic supply list. Click here for mail order sources
<> Ok - you've got the book, you've got the stuff, and you're still chicken, or a bit befuddled? Then email with questions - or if you'd like, you can have a private Temari mentor from the discussion group (again, drop me a note to request one). Best of all, join the discussion group itself. There are people from all over the world, men and women, of all crafting levels and abilities, including those just getting going on their first Temari.Click here for more detailed information of the skills you need to master. Of course as with anything, your "kit" begins to grow - some other handy helpers include a thimble if you are comfortable with one, smooth needlenose pliers to grip a stubborn needle with (or a rubber needle puller), small caliper or "sewing gauge", small ruler, calculator, angle templates, v ruler , .... whatever little things you like.
"I, too, am relatively new to Temari and have spent some time accumulating supplies. I would add to the list the need for a color wheel (as I find I do not have an eye for combining pleasing color relationships - there is a good explanation for color wheel relationships on http://temaripatterns.homestead.com/ColorTheory1.html ) and a good storage container for all your Temari supplies. I use a tackle box from the Plano Corporation, that looks like a small suitcase. One side provides a compartmentalized storage area, great for thread storage, while the other side is deep enough and can be sectioned off to store Temari and other odd/large shaped items. (Webmaster's note: color wheels are available from major needlework retailers like Nordic Needle and Herschnerr's as well as In Stitches )
As pearl cotton skeins can be difficult to manage, Ginny's site provides an interesting method of pulling threads right from the pearl cotton skeins (at precut lengths), but I wind my threads around empty (clear) film containers and label the ends with the color number (DMC 520). This way, the threads are neatly wound and prepared to cut to any length I desire and the labeling helps me view in an instant the colors I have on hand. The film containers store on end in the compartmentalized side of the tackle box. (webmaster's note - see more info on Jean's idea)
As a beginner, pearl cotton is my preferred thread for Temari stitches, as it maintains its twist quite nicely. I invested in a DMC Color Card, available from specialty thread shops , Michael's Crafts, or JoAnn's. It lists all of their current colors of pearl cotton and floss, giving me a head start on color selection.
I have found a Temari notebook invaluable, as I accumulate good information from talktemari, TemariKai and other websites. I keep all types of information in it, including Temari patterns, Temari how-to's, Temari resources (book lists, stores or websites to purchase supplies), information regarding different types of threads, and lists of thread colors available for each type of thread. A bit lengthy, but I hope this provides a few more ideas." Jan A.
Webmaster's note: there are two "types" of Temari notebooks - many people keep a three ring binder that they use to keep pages printed from the various Temari websites for information and patterns. In Japan, one keeps a Temari notebook with hand written notes about patterns and such - see Temari Notebook.