Bookcase Tour Tuesday - Japanese Sashiko Inspirations

"'Traditional' Japanese sashiko conjures up images of white running stitches on indigo, often in intricate traditional patterns."  While Susan Briscoe's book Japanese Sashiko Inspirations uses traditional techniques and designs, the 25 projects she presents have a bit more of a modern feel to them.

 

She does however begin the book by briefly talking about the history of the craft and the way it has developed and changed through time...

The next chapter, "Getting Started" is the one I really need, it explains the equipment and materials needed, talks about transferring the designs onto the fabric and goes into the stitching technique.  The photos and instructions are clear and easy to follow.

One concept that I really like in this book, is that for each main project it gives a "Technique Taster" - a way to play with the stitches before jumping in with a larger piece of work.

The circular "marumon" designs are some of my favourite...

And at the end of each project she shows where the inspiration for the work has come from.

The "Sensu Tablemat" is really pretty, but I could never imagine using it as a placemat... I'd spill something on it for sure... It could look really pretty hanging somewhere I think...

Throughout the book there are quite a few designs to play with...

These greeting cards are just lovely!  It's something that I would frame if I was ever given one...

The author, Susan Briscoe, is a quilter so at the end of the book we are treated to delicious eye candy of some of her gorgeous, much more ambitious work.

Japanese Sashiko Inspirations: ISBN-13: 978-07153-2641-1

And for any Brisbane locals that are interested, I have heard whisperings that Susan Briscoe is coming our way in early 2011 to teach workshops... I'll keep you up to date if I hear anything.

***Update - Susan was kind enough to leave a comment to say that she'll be here in March 2011 - mark your calendars! ***

Lastly, I couldn't finish this post without telling you where my own sashiko inspirations came from.  While I was living in Japan and was seeing beautiful work around me, it was actually Sharon of Handmaiden fame that inspired and encouraged me to give it a go.  While my fabrics, threads, samplers and patterns are still waiting to be taken out and used, I look forward to playing with them one day.  You can see some of Sharon's beautiful work and tutorials here.

Hidden Treasures

Last night, sitting in front of some trash TV, I was carefully taking apart a gorgeous Taisho period (1912 - 1926) Meisen Silk (ikat) kimono.  The main colour was a rich, deep purple with a floral crest and geometric pattern woven in lighter colours.  It has a beautiful crisp old silk feel to the touch and as I gently removed the hand stitching I tried to imagine who it had belonged to and what occasions it had seen.

And then I came to the lining...

Inside the kimono was this vibrant teal fabric, what feels like a silk-wool blend, quite raw, I suspect it was older that the outer kimono fabric.    At some point a little bug had taken a liking to the lining fabric and had munched through areas.

Rather than just throw the fabric out it had been patched up by what appears to be scraps on hand, pieces with bright red flowers and green leaves.  But what got me is the stitching, neat little rows of sashiko stitching in the boro tradition of mending old textiles.

At the time, this would have been hidden away, maybe for the embarrassment of not being able to afford new lining, or maybe not.  There is also a real sense of thriftiness in Japan, so I hope it was appreciated for the resourcefulness and fine handiwork that it really was.

Even some of the patches have been patched...

Round holes have been sewn around before the larger fabric has been stitched into place...

I'm not sure what I'll do with this treasured piece of fabric yet, but I think it's time that the fine handiwork saw some light.