Friday 15 August 2014

Simply Sashiko

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a Japanese Textiles talk and workshop conducted by the very charming Katie Chaplin of Japan Crafts. Katie gave us a fascinating talk on the origins of some Japanese textiles and introduced us all to a whole new world. Who knew that weavers of Japanese cloth had their own special saw tip fingernail manicures?


To illustrate her talk, Katie passed around examples of the different textile techniques mentioned, including the glorious kimono you can see above. Surprisingly, vintage textiles are not particularly sought after in modern-day Japan apparently, so can still be found at reasonable prices. The same cannot be said for modern kimonos, which can command eye-wateringly high prices. When you hear that a kimono made using the Shibori technique similar to tie-dying can take up to one year to make, the prices are not, perhaps, quite so surprising after all!


Katie brought along some kimono type jackets for sale as well as a whole range of bag kits, which proved to be very popular with her audience. I may just have succumbed to a bag kit :)

In the morning we had a chance to have a go at Sashiko embroidery and were given a range of patterns to pick from. I chose a wave pattern for my first attempt at traditional Sashiko embroidery. We used a tool that I hadn't come across before to transfer the pattern on to the plain blue fabric.

I have no idea what the tool is called, but with its blunt tip it was brilliant for transferring the pattern using Dressmaker's Carbon Paper. Naturally, I had to add one to my basket! I am guessing that it will be great for turning out corners too from the shape of it.

Katie had some gorgeous printed FQ's for sale too, so I treated myself to a couple as I had had an idea of what I might do with the Sashiko panel when I had finished it.


My youngest son is just about to move into his very first flat, so I thought that this was manly enough for a bachelor pad :) The central Sashiko panel is surrounded by 2.5" square borders of three Oriental-themed fabrics, and the borders are machine quilted with a half-circle pattern to echo the Sashiko embroidery.

I came across this manly-looking fabric in my stash and thought that it was ideal for the envelope back.

If you were at the Festival of Quilts in Birmingham last weekend you might have come across Katie's stall. Apparently it was strategically placed on the route between the cafe and the toilets, so bound to be passed by everyone at some stage in the day!

Our next session is on couching, another technique that I have never tried so I am wondering what I can do with the results from that.

21 comments:

  1. Your Sashiko is absolutely beautiful! I have a book on it which I have mooned over many times but never tried - must change that soon!

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  2. I was introduced to Sashiko stitching by Susan of Plays With Needles blog. I loved stitching such rhythmic little stitches. I didn't trace my own because I had some preprinted Sashiko fabric. Check out equilter.com for needles, thread and fabrics. Your pillow is stunning. Creative Sashiko Bliss...

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  3. A stunning cushion, Fiona!!! I'm surprised you were able to give it away, although you'll be able to see it when you visit. Your Sashiko is beautifully done - it's so even. One day I'll attempt to do some.

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  4. what an interesting talk and display, love the cushion. I was at the FOQ for 3 days but missed this display, need to do 4 days next year as there was quite a bit I did not see

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  5. I've seen the odd sashiko pattern on google images but have not yet tried it. Your waves came out very pretty!

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  6. Very interesting, thanks for sharing this. I think he'll love the pillow!

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  7. You are always learning and doing something fun! the cushion you made is the most gorgeous, manly cushion i have ever seen!!!!

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  8. sounds so fascinating Fiona. I love the look of Sashiko - and you have made a really stylish cushion :-)

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  9. what a fab cushion. I love the way you set the stitching off with the Japanese fabrics. I don't think i saw the stall - but then I didn't have much time and we were rushing round. I look forward to seeing your couching project!

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  10. Your cushion is super. I have only ever done a little panel on a pre printed square.

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  11. Your embroidery looks wonderful, and the pillow is so handsome!

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  12. Love your cushion. Have recently taken up Sashiko, it is so relaxing. Hope to see more from you.

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  13. Sounds like a great day :o) Glad to see you could pick up the tool she used, I always have to be so careful when teaching that I don't use tools I've picked up along the way that are about as rare as hen's teeth!

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  14. You certainly find some fascinating workshops! Your cushion looks has turned out beautifully :)

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  15. If you only succumbed to one kit, I'd say you did well ;) That's a gorgeous pillow - your stitching looks fabulous! I had a look at the large version of the photo and your stitches are actually all the same length - I'm not even that accurate with a sewing machine, LOL!

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  16. It sounds like it was an interesting talk. That cushion will look great in a bachelor pad.

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  17. I did see the stall- there seemed to be people crowded round every time I went past! Do you follow Liz at pieceful peaceful? She's really knowledgable about Japanese things , and so passionate! Sounds like you've got some great talks lined up

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  18. It looks beautiful! I've never tried sashiko, but I do love how it looks.

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  19. Thanks for an interesting post it's something I've always wanted to try. Just need to buy the panel as I think yours looks fabulous.

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  20. What a great cushion ... I've got some sashiko that I started about a millennia ago that I never got round to finishing (must look for it sometime and get that sorted!). Yours is lovely and I love the complementary fabrics that you used.

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  21. You really do have all the fun. It sounds like a great class, and how awesome that she brought goodies to view too. BTW, your pillow is lovely. If your son doesn't think it is manly enough for him, just send it my way.

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