Tapestry decoration ideas for Hinamatsuri: Festive decor to celebrate the Peach Festival
Hinamatsuri, the Doll Festival, is celebrated with vibrant items like hina dolls and hanging ornaments.
It’s cherished in Japan as a traditional event that prays for girls’ health and growth.
Among the various decorations, tapestry-style pieces—where fabric or paper featuring letters or illustrations is mounted—are notable because they don’t take up floor space and can be displayed anywhere there’s a wall.
In this article, we’ll introduce tapestry ideas perfect for decorating for Hinamatsuri.
If you’re good at crafts or knitting, you can make your own, or check out items that catch your eye.
Ideas for tapestries to display for Hinamatsuri. Decorations to celebrate the Peach Festival (1–10)
100-yen shop items
This tapestry, which you can make in 30 minutes using only 100-yen store materials, is recommended for busy people and those who aren’t confident with crafts.
Print out a cute illustration enlarged on paper, layer 100-yen store fabric scraps on top, stick it to a window or similar surface, and trace the design from above.
Sprinkle small faux flowers from the 100-yen store, and decorate the top with artificial flowers from the same store to finish.
Display it on a wall or in the entryway to instantly give your space a spring-like feel.
It doesn’t take up much space when stored, so it’s great for apartment living as well.
Simple tapestry
Hinamatsuri tapestries definitely look best with traditional Japanese fabrics.
Use scraps of chirimen crepe to make Japanese-style flowers, battledores (hagoita), and so on; connect them in a row and hang them on both sides of a simply single-colored illustration of Hina dolls.
You can also find Hinamatsuri garlands at 100-yen shops, so if making them sounds like a hassle, it might be nice to just decorate with those as-is.
Taking photos in front of the finished tapestry would be lovely, too.
Since the main body of the tapestry has a simple color palette, it should go well with any outfit.
The Rabbit Hina Doll
This tapestry, made using Japanese fabrics like chirimen with patchwork techniques, can be completed in a few days, making it a great option for busy people.
By depicting the Emperor and Empress as rabbits, it turns out cuter and simpler than using traditional dolls.
Create the rabbit figures separately from the main piece and stitch only the tops in place—the gentle swaying adds a three-dimensional effect.
Using fabrics with patterns you like will give it a unique and charming finish.
A smaller tapestry is convenient too, since it can be displayed almost anywhere.
Hanging ornaments
A perfect hina doll tapestry for households that don’t have space to display a tiered stand.
Just hang it in an alcove or by the entrance, and it instantly brightens the atmosphere.
Plus, when it’s time to put it away, simply roll it up and it won’t take up much space.
Create a cute tapestry featuring the lord and lady dolls and lanterns hanging from cherry branches against a red background inspired by the himōsen cloth, and enjoy a touch of spring.
If making the individual parts is too difficult, it might be easier to simply cut and paste fabric printed with the designs.
quilting
Quilted tapestries are recommended for those who enjoy detailed handiwork.
Quilting involves stuffing batting between layers of fabric and piecing together various materials to make a single cloth.
It takes a lot of time, but wouldn’t it be perfect for creating hina dolls, thoughtfully, one stitch at a time? Use fabrics you like for the hina doll and the imperial consort, and appliqué them as patchwork onto quilted fabric.
Using materials like chirimen crepe gives it a traditional Japanese finish.
Reusing meaningful fabrics or old clothing is also a great idea.
Japanese-style tapestry
A tapestry featuring traditional Hina dolls is adorable as it is, but how about making a tapestry that evokes the Hinamatsuri like this one? First, create two padded motifs about the same size: one inspired by the Emperor’s kimono (odairi-sama) and one inspired by the Empress (ohina-sama).
Attach them to a base fabric with batting in between, then do the quilting.
Finish by appliquéing small pieces of chirimen fabric cut into flower shapes here and there.
Because it’s made of fabric, it doesn’t take up much space and is easy to store away.
Obi Tapestry
Here’s how to make a tapestry using an obi (kimono sash).
This obi tapestry has a very festive, dazzling look, and even if you’ve never tied an obi and think it seems difficult, you’ll be fine as long as you take your time and tie it carefully.
Use items from a 100-yen shop to secure parts here and there, and make it as if you were folding origami or tying a ribbon.
Of course, if you have an obi lying around at home that’s perfect, but these days many shops sell secondhand kimonos and obi, so why not make use of those?