Newest Work - Sashiko Stitched Pillow

Geometric patterns that express elements of nature and daily life have been central to the Japanese aesthetic for centuries. This pattern is called Fundo Tsunagi (or sometimes fundoutsunagi) and is a design that dates at least to the Nara period (645-794). It has been used in woven textiles such as twills and brocades, along with dyed textiles and sashiko.

The design and the name come from the shape of one of the traditional counterweights used on scales in Japan. Fundo literally means “weight” and tsunagi means “link”. 

I bordered the embroidered panel with a japanese cotton printed with traditional Japanese patterns that  I picked up somewhere some time ago. I'm happy to find something in my stash that works so perfectly. The more things I stitch up the fewer things I'll need to move into my new studio.

Nothing Goes to Waste

Shibori died book covers for bullet journal and sketchbook

I have a growing stack of test swatches that served the purpose of figuring out some technique but don't rise to the level of saleability. 

 My favorite notebook are the cheap, readily available Composition Books you can get at any stationers, drug store or supermarket. I keep a stack in a drawer and use a different one for every project or topic I'm working on. I've got quite a pile in use. Bullet Journal, Branding, Dye Journal, Website, Product Records, Computer Notes, 5247 Remodel, 3448 Remodel, Photoshop Tutorials, Illustrator Tutorials are the ones currently in rotation. My preferred method of identification has been scraps of duct tape labeled with a series of letters and symbols. It's not particularly attractive and as I start thinking about the new studio I'd prefer something I actually wouldn't mind seeing every day.

So I grabbed a couple of test swatches and stitched them into book covers. Two problems solved. 

Stitch a Day 2017, Day 68

This is where the sleeve meets the body of the jacket, creating some interesting angles and bits and bobs of cloth.

Stitch a Day 2017, Day 64

The other side of the collar

Stitch a Day 2017, Day 63

And this finishes up the collar.

Stitch a Day 2017, Day 60

Day 60, the end of the second month! I'm one-sixth of the way to my goal. And I've got a large new pile of hand-stitching to get onto. I'm going to start teaching visible mending classes at a local shop, and am putting together some indigo dyed pillow projects to teach as well. But I have every intention of keeping at my stitch a day project. It just maey need to be on some new pieces.

Stitch a Day 2017, Day 59

Lots of shades of blue here. And again, a day without many stitches. I'm in the midst of a remodel, with a wonderful new studio space in the works, and have been spending a good amount of time on the endless decisions that need to be made. Not much time left for stitching. And the bit of spare time I did have I used for a game of Catan with friends, which is a great way to spend an evening.

Stitch a Day 2017, Day 52

Transitioning from the back to the front today. It's been slow going of late. The ikat is a scrap left over from shortening some pants.