Sashiko stitching

I have managed to work on the linen star quilt that I am making for my son, the top and bottom only took a couple of days to put together and when the wadding and sashiko thread arrived on Saturday I was able to baste the layers with a little help from hubby and Molly :)

I am really enjoying working with the Sashiko thread for the hand quilting. My cousin, when she found out I was using it, sent me an paper that she had written about Indigo for her degree in which says 

Sashiko meaning literally little stabs, is a technique traditional to Japan. Old garments were re-cycled, the layers of fabric hand sewn together with a running stitch, in a contrasting colour.This practice harks back to times when cloth was a valuable commodity. both‘ “If you can wrap three beans in a piece of cloth, then it is big enough to keep.” This old saying demonstrates the frugality of ancient Japanese rural society, which held firmly to the notion of richness in poverty’ (Indigo, C. Le Grand, 78)

So sashiko was traditionally used to re-inforce indigo garments, recycle small pieces of indigo fabric to make larger ones, and in some cases the stitches made patterns which told stories of their own. 

I am stitching straight lines, two inches apart, across the entire quilt. I am glad it's winter as the weight of the quilt is keeping me warm and I certainly hope I finish it before the warmer weather arrives!

             

table runners

I bought these beautiful pieces of vintage French linen some time ago, the patterned pieces are rectangular in shape and the plane piece was square. I thought how lovely they would look made up as table runners with the plain piece on the back but I knew that the coloured piece wouldn't go with the decor in our home. Back then we didn't have any idea that we would be able to buy our cottage in Wales and that they would look perfect in that setting and on the lovely Ercol table and chairs that we have bought to use there. 

The table and chairs were finished I a dark varnish, my husband has sanded the table top and painted it in grey like the one in the bottom photo, two chairs are also painted and we have two more chairs like these and two with arms to paint before the set is finished. 

I have made up the runners, the plain piece was exactly the right size to back them both and I think they will look great against the beautiful beech table top.

                                   

                                  

                                  

                                  

aprons

I have been making more of these aprons. The yellow one is from up cycled vintage curtains and the beige one is made from a beautiful 100% linen fabric which is so soft and lovely to wear. Of course they look great on my lovely model and friend but the good thing is that they fit most sizes.