Sashiko Embroidery
Embroidery Kits have long been my nemesis, all those detailed embroidery designs with their intricate stitches making things look lifelike are beyond me, I am in awe of true embroiderers, my skills are somewhat limited, borderline childlike!
So imagine my delight when I was introduced to Sashiko Embroidery at my local WI. At last, embroidery that I can manage.
Sashiko Embroidery uses running stitch to create a design, usually using white thread on navy fabric but you can use any colour. Sashiko means "little stabs" and refers to the small stitches used to create the embroidery design.
My first Sashiko embroidery was a navy panel using the Shippou or Seven Treasures design and a white ‘iron away’ fabric marking pen.
I created a block of four Shippou patterns and edged them in a running stitch border, the finished panel measured 30 x 30cm. It was easy to mark out using the Sashiko Embroidery clear plastic stencils and the ‘iron-away’ marker. It takes a few seconds for the ink to show after you have marked the fabric but it really does iron away, it is very clever.
I thoroughly enjoyed my Sashiko Embroidery, so much so that I ended up embroidering 20 separate panels and then joining them to make a bedspread which I backed with navy fleece.
