Handmaiden

Sashiko Samplers

On my to do list was to turn my samplers into placemats. I particularly like this design and the wedgewood blue thread. I just use some iron on Vilene interfacing to give some body and heat resistance.

 

Orange is one of my favourite colours and these will be great for luncheon placemats in the Spring or Summer.

 

I really like this cherry blossom pattern

 

A more unusual pattern that I have done in red and green. I am thinking I will use it for Christmas

 

Lastly something very contemporary - lavender thread on a lavendar fabric.

 

For more of my other sashiko posts look here and for a tutorial here and here

Dont forget if you would like to win a sashiko sampler enter my SEWN giveaway here

Sharon

Hemp Leaf Sashiko

While in Melbourne I picked up this beautiful Japanese Obi fabric to line my Hemp Leaf Table Runner

  

I purchased this from Leanne at Kimono House. This is where I learnt to do sashiko and Leanne has all the supplies if you are interested in learning sashiko

 

 

And for your chance to win a Sashiko kit have a look at my giveaway here

Sharon

 

My Creative Space

Today my creative space is in front of the TV on the coffee table. I have been doing some Sashiko stitching of an evening. As the nights get darker and cooler I love to have a project to do after dinner. Do you? I love this cherry blossom sampler and have chosen to do it in orange......one of my favourite colours.

 

For more wonderful spaces go over and visit Kirsty

Sharon

Sashiko Stenciling Tutorial

I love my sashiko but I am keen to move my skills forward after all my samplers I have been making into placemats

I found some great patterns from a book called Sashiko Style - Traditional Japanese Patterns for Contemporary Design by Japan Publications Trading

So I have started this new project  - a table runner in traditional indigo blue cotton with my own design stencilled on. I am using the Clover Charco Stencil Paper and my Clover Hera to stencil it on plus a metal ruler.

The pattern I am using is Hemp Leaf and I have this pattern that I am using as the basis for my design. I am using my spice containers to use as weights. Place your base fabric down then your stencil paper and then your pattern to be traced.

This is the pattern now stencilled..........I have gone over it again with tailors chalk as I found the charco paper stencil very light, especially pink on blue. But it's looking good.....now to the sashiko.

Work in progress

   

 

And I had to show you the back as its quite beautiful in its own right

 

This is the completed runner. I have to line it now to finish off the edges.

For a tutorial on how to do Sashiko stitching see here. If you would like to see more photos visit the Sashiko Flickr pool here.

And for a sneak peek of what I am working on now

Sharon

Creative Sashiko - Table Runner in Hemp Leaf Pattern

  You all know I love my sashiko but I am keen to move my skills forward after all my samplers I have been making into placemats and napkins.

So I have started this new project  - a table runner in traditional indigo blue cotton with my own design stencilled on. I am using the Clover Charco Stencil Paper and my Clover Hera to stencil it on.

The pattern I am using is Hemp Leaf and I have this pattern that I am using as the basis for my design. I am using my spice containers to use as weights

This is the pattern now stencilled..........I have gone over it again with tailors chalk as I found the charco paper stencil very light, especially pink on blue. But it's looking good.....now to the sashiko.

Work in progress

   

 

And I had to show you the back as its quite beautiful in its own right

and for another follower of Sashiko go and visit Yvette of Midnight Crafts who has completed some traditional sashiko coasters.

Sharon

Melbourne Craft Diaries - Contemporary Sashiko

I am trying different ways with sashiko stitching trying to make it more contemporary ...this time coasters using sashiko thread. Its based on the Japanese kaleidoscope pattern below.

Tonal lavender thread on lavender cotton - its not your usual sashiko sampler that I have done

Sharon

Melbourne Craft Diaries - Sashiko Embroidery Roll #2

I am really happy with this embroidery roll. Mainly because I created it myself, used my Amy Butler stash and my Sashiko skills.I have been working on it for awhile but when Gregg said we were coming to Melbourne early I absolutely wanted to finish it so I could store all my Sashiko stuff in it to take away.

The backing is quilted using a Sashiko thread and Raimon pattern. I used my 12mm Clover bias tape maker to make the binding and the ties. The two large pockets have been embellished with Sashiko stitching and I have created smaller pockets as well to hold threaders/thimbles and my threads. I added a felt square for my needles.

I love it

Sharon

Sashiko Embroidery Roll #1

I want something to store all my sashiko samplers, threads and needles in. I am also keen to experiment with sashiko and make it a little more contemporary in styling. I dabbled with my pincushion, went all out with my fan quilt and continue to trial samplers.

I came across this wall hanging in Susan Briscoe's book "Japanese Sashiko Inspirations"

So I am making an embroidery roll using fabrics from my stash - none other than Amy B!

So on the main body of the roll I am going to use the "Raimon" pattern which is the rectangular pattern on the bottom right hand side and quilt it using the sashiko.

I am using a new widget to mark up the pattern. It's a "Hera" marker from no other than Clover. It's made of plastic and marks and makes a crease without leaving any residue. It's probably better on darker fabric. But it works brilliantly. I could have used my white iron off marker but I was concerned with the amount of handling and heat that it may wear off. This way I have a crease that should stay put.

I am going to quilt the main body using sashiko stitch and thread........I have added a layer of lightweight iron on pellon and done the mandatory basting to hold the sandwich together.

Stitching so far............I have been working on this for a while now, usually at night watching TV

Still alot to do but very satisfying, a challenge to get both sides looking good. Japan Craft Journal is featuring Sashiko today.

Check out Betty Jo at Lino Forest she has the cutest owl brooch givewaway because she is such a lovely crafty melbourne girl and see her shop here.

Sharon

Sashiko Supplies

Gregg came back from Japan with a stash of sashiko supplies. The traditional blue fabric and white but thrown in there is a pastel pink and lavender along with dark green, chocolate and lavender threads. Maybe not the greatest combination and it seems the shop assistant gave her suggestions on the threads. Not sure what she was thinking but I am sure the threads will be used for other things.

So good of him to think about what I like.

Usually you use a contrast thread on the fabric..............but what do you think? Should I go tonal and apply the lavender thread on lavender fabric. I am really liking the pattern on the sampler.

And I have completed some new samplers. I am just going to make napkins out of these. I really like orange at the moment and they will match back with the other napkins and placemats I am making.

Sharon

Melbourne Craft Diaries Day 10

I took a visit to Kimono House in the Nicholas Building today. Leanne has a wonderful range of Japanese cottons perfect for patchwork, bags and other craft projects. She also stocks beautiful Japanese silks and other crafty accessories.

Kimono House also offers workshops including a whole programme during Melbourne Fashion Week early September. See here for details

If you have been reading my blog you will know that I really like doing Sashiko stitching - a Japanese running stitch. I first learnt it at Kimono House. I bought my kits and thread here.

I bought this great book on Sashiko stitching for more ideas and inspiration plus some coloured threads

Don't forget the Open House at Nicholas Building on 28th and 29th August.

Sharon