Fabric In and a Sashiko Project

Fabric purchase

The first weekend in January, one of the quilting shops had a 20% off sale as well as a 50% off sale off one cut of fabric. Wide backing fabric, which I could use soon, was included in the sale. Buying a back for Lupine and Laughter came to my mind. I went. 

Sylvia Pippen's book

I did buy a wide back for a QOV that I'm planning to stitch later in the year. There was a wide back fabric I liked even better; but, there was only two yards remaining. I threw caution to the wind and bought it. My fingers are crossed that I will be able to use it as backing for my 2023 RSC. There may be minimal piecing involved to make it large enough. I decided I was okay with a little piecing!

Sitching Lupine and Laughter has exhausted my white neutrals. I bought a half hard of two fabrics. I also purchased a mini cone of piecing thread. I'm starting the year with adding 11 yards of fabric to my stash. My goal is to have a net loss of 100 yards of fabric from my stash. This week, I'm working on a finish which should counter my purchase!   

In other news, our book club is reading and discussing the book, "The Stories Clothes Tell/Voices of Working Class Japan" by Tasuichi Horikiri. Horikiri documented clothing that he collected from the working class of Japan. Most of the clothing in the book includes a short story about the owner and or how Horikiri collected it. it is an interesting read.

Sashiko progress 

While reading the book, I thought about using some denim scraps I saved long ago for a braided rug. I thought about pairing a piece of the scrap with some decorative stitching. Several pieces could work into a book project.

Then I remembered I had a project started in a class. At least ten years ago, I experienced Sylvia Pippen, a Washington state quilt artist, teach a sashiko class. I remember doing the prep work and stitching a small portion of the design in class. At the end of class, I packed up the materials into a zip lock plastic bag and didn't open the bag again until late last month.

Since I try to use what I have when I make a book club book, this project was the ONE! In addition to reviewing the instruction in her book, I needed to watch her YouTube video about how to complete the stitches. I hope that the design, when I finish will be pleasing to the eye. It is challenging to take "even" stitches. I'm far from perfect; but, I'm enjoying the process.

This is a small project about 14 by 14 inches. Small is good since I have several large projects currently at various stages in the pipeline! Making progress on the sashiko project was goal number seven on my January list.