In August, we took Sara to the Kyoto Yuzen-en place where you can paint your own Japanese design on cloth.  Sara wanted gifts for friends Stateside so she chose handkerchiefs.  Henry and I each did one for her. The way it works is this:   The design has several stencils that the artisan puts on the cloth, then hands you a brush with colored paint on it.  You then use circles and paint over the open stencils.  When that's done he changes stencils and gives you another color to paint.  This is done several times.  The last color added is white which brings out the highlights of the overall design.  He then irons the finished piece and you are done.  

I have made several T-shirts using this method, two are of blue butterflies and another is a floral print.  I also have a medium sized bag with a kimono print on it.  I love doing this as I "made it myself."  

Sara is painting her design. 

Henry is doing the same.

Finished painted design

White being added 

Final product