I've been on the computer, browsing around to satisfy my curiosity on Japanese Boromono which translates to rag thing. I've seen similar with Indian Kantha stitching which is running stitch arranged very basically or done elaborately. This is all been so interesting, to me, I'm drawn towards the folk art, utalitarian nature of it all.
After Jan shared the link to those bags, and then making a pact with Amy to try some stitch love, I decided that I would play with a design that was similar.
I wasn't loving it and it was hard work going through the strips. The fabrics are some random solids I had lying in a bin but not good quality. When I went to wipe a mark off, the colour of the blue crocked badly so I decided to call it quilts and do some other smaller thing.
I had a piece of Japanese cotton that seemed perfect.
This was quick and I decided to deliberately go for a random, not perfect type of stitch. The best part was freeing myself from being uniform, I like it a lot and I'll make this into one of the small purses. I'm satisfied but It's not the end, I'll be revisiting this type of stitching.
Since it's Saturday, I get to show my Klosjes for the week. Twenty is not too shabby. I've started adding some peachy colours.
I've had a spurt on some book buying too, all very inspirational, who knows what I'll get up to after reading these.
Since Easter is coming, I had another small project in mind if I get in the mood to do it. Mr Q went and got these for me at the LQS, he got a lot of funny looks but he did well.
After a week or two of play, my sewing room is the worst I think I've ever seen it. I even feel embarrased for myself . A clean up is in order before I can to the machine, that's if I can find it.
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49 comments:
oh you will love the Conn. book it is one of my favorites
it is always out on my table!
very interesting stitching, I did see that on Jan's blog and am considering it. I have become very fascinated with Japanese taupe fabrics, I feel a new collection of fabrics that just may have to happen over here!
I took a quilt out today that I am really considering doing the utility stitch on.
Love that piece of Japanese fabrics, looks like fun stitching like that.
great spools!
Kathie
Somethings just call for the big stitch..Mr.Couple who does my stitching had to big stitch a throw for me and was not happy. But the quilt just called for it. When it was finished he was pleased too
Maggey
I've always loved the big stitch. My girlfriend did a gorgeous quilt with Japanese fabrics and black pearl cotton....it was gorgeous!
I haven't tried the big stitch yet,,but it sure looks like fun.
I need just the right quilt for it..now that is something to think about..
Thanks Janet
Julia ♥
Not sure I could trust Mr. Creations to buy me anything in a quilt store. A+ to Mr. Q! I just bought some floss (and I'm not a hand stitcher) to play with big stitches. I think I would actually like this better than doing applique. I love the Freddie and Gwen book. Have a wonderful stitchy weekend.
Now Janet have you discovered Wafu Works Kingston Beach Tasmania Japanese vintage textiles. Recycled fabric and the most amazing rummage bins. Jan is a lovely lady. I confess to having a lovely spend in there a couple of weeks ago :-) Details are
18 Beach Rd Kingston Beach, TAS 7050
(03) 6229 1420. She does have an email address which I have mislaid at the moment. Has the most wonderful bolts of kimono silk too. :-)
Cheers
Lynne
The Big Stitch looks fantastic and I also like the primitive/folk art look it gives.
Your Klosjes are looking beautiful. I am looking forward to getting enough done so I can join some together.
I'm sure you will have a great weekend looking through those books.
Is the big stitch anything like sashiko?
Divine! Is the 'big stitch' similar to sashiko?
As I was cleanign my sewing room today I was mumbling to myself that blogging has been very bad for me! Bad, because I've started so many projects I feel a little out of control. :)
So, I see you've started another'n and it makes me feel better.
Gotta love a hubby who goes to the fabric store for you!!!
Lovely checks Janet, they're so fresh aren't they? Yes, I too love the big stitching, the one I'm doing now is the third quilt I've done this way. I love the perle thread and the way it feels when it's quilted, more solid and robust almost that traditional cotton!
Oh yes, thanks for the tutorial on the little purses, easy to follow and you might have blown my zip phobia out the water, lets hope anyway....!
Have a good weekend
lizzie
XXX
What are you going to do with all the Klosjes?? Is there a club? Your big stitch is fabulous. I tried it on one quilt, and I kept getting smaller and smaller. It's hard to stay big. Yours looks great.
I love those big circles Janet! We call those big stitches toe grabbers. Looks like you have lots of fun sewing in your future (not to mention a great hubby who will go to the fabric shop!)
I love the stitching you have done on the japanese fabric. It looks great!
A big mess in the sewing room must mean you're too busy having fun! Mr Q goes to the LQS - is he for real? :0)
I am waiting on 3 of the books you just got!! I love big stitch quilting, yours looks great :)
I'm intrigued by the big stitch quilting. Did you get into a rhythm when stitching that way?
Your Klosjes are gorgeous -- I love the fabrics you're using!
Oh, so much fun going on in your sewing room. You are right about how catchy the quilty bugs are... just need to get my hands on some big stitch thread...
Beautiful klosjes, beautifull stitching, beautifull fabrics (very well done Mr. Q!) and I think the books must be very much fun to read and to use. The stitching looks great! Do you already know how you will quilt your klosjes?
I think it does you good to try something different once in a while. I have the Gwen and Freddie book and there are more than a few ideas in there that i plan to try one of these days. So many quilts, so little time. I want to do it all! sigh!!!! Klosjes looking great.
Shirley.x
I love what you've gotten up to this week with the big stitch! My initial thought on it was to big stitch some fabric for one of your bags. I still have that in mind and am trying to decide which shot cotton to sacrifice for it. :-) Don't you love gingham-y checks? So, again, I am intrigued! Speaking of intriguing, will you tell us about that first quilt you're showing?
Stopping back because I've just wandered over to the Japanese folk textiles web site you've included in your post. OH MY! I encourage everyone to run over and to take a look -- be sure to enlarge so you can see the stitching detail. The futon covers are knocking me out! Thanks for sharing the link!
I've been admiring the big stitch work as well thinking it might have to make its way onto a mini. It adds such wonderful texture. I love the look of it on your Japanese fabric.
BRAVO, dear ! I LOVE your colours scheme, and this addition of peachy ones is sooo clever and gorgeous. ;>)
ENJOY your sewing !
XOXOXOXOXO
NADINE
My first thought upon finishing reading this post was *I wish we were neighbors!* I love your experiments with the big stitch!! I have several things I MUST finish before I dive into that but it's on my list.
My new book stack is growing as well. A few months ago I declared that I surely had enough books on the subject and could not possibly need any more yet I had added at least 6 since then. (And several are on their way!) *sigh*
So fun to see everything you are working on. With all of those wonderful books, I wouldn't be able to make up my mind. Mr. Q to the LQS? - how wonderful for both of you.
Oooo lots of cool stuff to view today. What kind of thread did you use for your big stitch?
The only time my other half will go into a quilt shop is only if I ordered the cuts over the phone and he only has to stop at the register LOL.
Crispy
Thank you very much for your purse tutorial!I will try that out. Love your new klosjes and your try-out stitches. I also visited the blogs of the other ladies who did those big stitches. Can you tell me what kind of threat it is you use? Is it cotton like people use on Japanese sashiko work? I did that once.
Hope you can tell me,
Groetjes
Annemieke
I love big stitch quilting too. Really fun!
nichi
I first learned about this type of big stitch (or long stitch) at a quick seminar I took with Cindy Blackberg. I didn't particularly like her but it was neat to see this. To share what I wrote down for this she used Valdani thread size 12 (who knew there was a size) and chenille needles size 24. She did the stitches 1/4 in length. I also wrote down: be free not uniform. Go figure?!
Janet!!! It is Klosjes Saturday and Twenty is magical. You know I'll be away for the next couple weekends. Nothing out of me except some of those old hand pieced jobs I've been doing. <:)~
OMG - even your big stiching is perfect. I want to grow up to be you!!!!! If I only had a touch of your talent!
Love the big stitch work! Those Japanese bags were truly gorgeous! Sharon.
It looks fabulous! I also love big stitches as I can't do small.
Love your post and all the images you have shared.
What thread and needle do you use for large quilting please Janet. I am ready to hand quilt my Ice cream quilt and would like to do it with larger stitches.
cheers
Christine
The cabin up in Wyoming didn't have Internet, so I am now just getting caught up on your blog posts from the last week. Love the big stitch projects. And you did a lovely tutorial on the bag. Enjoy all the new books. I saw Kaffe's new one in there, and I'm anxious to get one myself.
I'm VERY impressed with Mr. Q's fabric shopping. Great choices all around.
I've never tried big stitch quilting and I'm thinking I should because I just love the way it looks.
My studio needs a good cleaning and tidying too, Janet. Maybe we should declare a special day and meet for a tea when we're done.
I just recently tried the big and longer stitching on the mini wall hanging I posted about. I am certain I have NOT mastered it yet. Going from hand quilting a quilt to this different style takes some getting used to...but I LOVE the look...good luck with yours...looks like you are doing pretty good!!
Hi Janet!
What a wonderfully inspiring blog-post!
I couldn't get over how gorgeous those plain colours dance around. I have been big-stitching a Dollie Quilt and I get being struck by the texture it provides: just like you say. I am finding it hard to 'let go of uniformity' though! :)
I am so loving your Klosjes. And the Soft peach just adds a lovely softness to the whole. :)
xox
:)
Love the klosjes. What method are using to make them?
Also, your tutorials are great.
Thank you for the inspirations.
Love your posting about the big stitch. Just checked out Sashiko, Blue and White Quilt Art of Japan, from the library and the stitches and undulating patterns are amazing. Your husband is so sweet and supportive - I am lucky to have one of those too. Your Klosjes are precious!
Oh Janet - just gorgeous.
I love big stitch too. I have a big quilt 2/3 done and it looks fab. I'm using perle 8 cotton - what are you using? How is the new Kaffe book?
I used the big stitch along with regular hand quilting and I LOVE it. I've got a jar full of colorful perle cottons, but I don't have the right project yet to big stitch a full top.
I have been falling in love with the look of big stitches too. They just add so much texture and dimension.
There must be something in the air over there-- it looks like your creative juices are in overdrive lately! :)
Wow Janet, when I read about your random Japanese stitching. I thought of a bag of scraps of Japanese fabric I brought to stitch along the way in those sort of way. Have you been to Spiritcloth by Jude Hill? http://spiritcloth.typepad.com/what_if Check it out, you will like it - Hugs Nat
I love the big stitches. This really is lovely.
Lovely projects! Especially the big stitches - that looks like fun
kris
I love those big stitches too. I know you probably have told us before, but what thread are you using?
How sweet of hubby to go get fabric for you.
Hi Janet
isn't the big stitch fun? My recent Hex Vex quilt was my first time and I'm looking forward to using it again. Your project looks great.
OOOH, your Klosjes are so lovely, still makes me wanna start a pile, but alas, I'll still try and abstain.
happy hump day
I love check fabrics so I love what you have there... I also am intrigued by the stitching method you have been playing with....
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