jonesing for nankeen

I tried to revisit an old friend tonight,
the Chinese Printed Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall.
I am hankering after their nankeen (hand-dyed, indigo fabrics).

Two springs ago, I made this skirt from the one piece of nankeen I purchased.
(If only I’d had the foresight to purchase 10 yards!)

It was lovely to work with, and smelled good when I cut it.
An entire collection is being worked out in my brain around nankeen.
It’s a traditional Chinese fabric, but for me it also perfectly captures the spirit of the “wild west” that is my home.
Nankeen was a fabric for the common people.
While the wealthy people wore silks and brocades (all those gorgeous shining cheongsam cherry blossoms!)
the “commoners” wore nankeen.

And you know what?
I rather prefer the nankeen.
There’s nothing “common” about fabric that was created with limited resources;
on the contrary, I think it’s all the more extraordinary.

BUT

I’ve got a problem.

1. The Chinese Printed Blue Nankeen Exhibition Hall does not have a website.

2. Nor do they have an email address.

3. They do have a phone number,
but I am afraid to call.
I don’t speak Mandarin (except for the survival basics).

Ideas??? Anybody? Bueller?
Should I just call?
(‘Yes,’ I can hear my husband’s voice droning. ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen?’)

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Until then, this video beautifully captures the museum. Enjoy.