Quilting Arts TV Series 2500 Sublime & Simple Stitching Project 2513-1 by Julie B

Home , Darning, Embroidery stitch, Sampler (needlework), Sashiko

Quilting Arts TV series 2500 Sublime & Simple Stitching project 2513-1 by Julie B. Booth Sponsored by Bernina of America and eQuilter.com

Photos by HornickRivlin.com Host Susan Brubaker Knapp with Julie B. Booth

Materials unning stitch is extremely Sashiko-style versatile … this simple • Base fabric, 6" squares Patterning • ‘Patch’ fabric, 2½" x 4½" rectangles embroidery stitch can be used R Sashiko is a Japanese stitching and/or 2½" squares to quilt, patch, mend, construct, and technique originally used as a form of Tip: An evenly spaced stripe or geometric distort (for example, pleating and decorative mending. Rows, columns, print is a great beginner project gathering) any number of fabrics. It can and diagonals of uniform running • Stabilizer, 6" squares (I use wool felt.) also be used to create unique patterns or stitches are sewn to create visually • Sashiko thread or perle cotton designs as embroidered embellishments interesting patterns. Traditionally, the • Sashiko, crewel embroidery, or on fabric. The two approaches I use stitch patterns are created using white chenille needle large enough to to making running stitch ‘the star’ are thread on indigo-dyed fabric. I prefer to accommodate the threads sashiko-style stitching and pattern mix things up by using colorful threads • Fabric-safe washable or disappearing darning. and fabrics and a playful approach to marker designing patterns. • Graph paper and pencil Play with patterns To create sashiko “style” patterns, you will need to stitch several parallel horizontal rows of evenly spaced and consistently sized running stitches. The stitches in each row can line up either parallel to each other or in a ‘brick’ layout where the stitches line up with the spaces of the previous row.

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1. Layer a piece of base fabric with a stabilizer.

2. Draw a series of parallel stitching guidelines on the fabric with a fabric-safe marker. Alternatively, you can choose to stitch on an even weave fabric or an evenly striped fabric as shown in the samples. (figure 1)

Note: To simulate the original purpose of sashiko stitching, you can add a few fabric patches before you start to stitch. These patches can be pinned on top of the figure 1 figure 2 base fabric or you can cut a small shaped hole in the base fabric and slip the patch At left (above) is a parallel format for beneath it. stitching; at right is a brick format. 3. Practice making the running stitch on the fabric in both the parallel and brick layout formats. (figure 2) After getting accustomed to stitching even and consistent rows of running stitch, it’s time to experiment with patterns. I start by drawing out possible patterns on graph paper. Working the designs out with paper and pencil allows me to see how vertical and/or diagonal rows of stitching can intersect with the horizontal rows. The graphed patterns are a great starting point and can be tweaked a bit to add more details with color when stitching.

1. Using the graph patterns as inspiration, continue adding running stitch designs to the samples.

2. For variety, change the colors of the threads, the direction of the stitching (from vertical to horizontal according to the patterns), or the placement of the designs. (figure 3)

figure 3

Pattern Darning Make patterns within Make a checkerboard Another approach to adding patterns shapes pattern and designs with running stitch is To create pattern darning “style” For beginners, I suggest starting with pattern darning. At first glance, these patterns, sew running stitches within a a rectangular shape and designing a patterns look like they are satin predetermined shape. I find it easiest to checkerboard pattern. The next steps stitched. In reality, the patterns are pattern darn within a circle or rectangle. will outline this process. created by adjacent rows of running (figure 4) Use a fabric-safe marker to 1. Draw a rectangle on the fabric using stitch. Certain patterns occur with draw a circle or rectangle onto a plain a fabric-safe marker. Begin stitching rows of uniform stitches lining up to piece of stabilized base fabric. Work a line of evenly sized and spaced create rectangles, or rows of stitches the patterns in a solid color thread that running stitches at the top of the a ‘half step’ forward or back, forming contrasts with the base fabric or work drawn shape. When you reach the diagonals. Other patterns can be created up patterns using an assortment of end of the row, go into the fabric and by changing the length of the stitches different colors. come up again just below the final and spaces between them, resulting in stitch in the first row. triangular and diamond shapes. 2. Work the second row of stitches adjacent to the first row. Continue What is Pattern stitching a number of adjacent rows Darning? until the combined rows of stitches form squares. Pattern darning is a functional as well as a decorative technique 3. Once you have a row of squares, that not only can be used to stitch the next adjacent row so that repair a piece of cloth but also the stitches align with the spaces of simultaneously embellish it. the previous row. Continue stitching adjacent rows to form another series The idea is to purposefully place figure 4 darning/running stitches and form of squares. Repeat this sequence a pattern. There are countless I find some patterns work particularly well within to form the checkerboard pattern. ways to use this stitch that can circles such as the half step ahead or back diago- (figure 5; green stitching) result in either a traditional or a nals which can form spiral designs. contemporary embellishment. Make a half-step pattern Once you’ve mastered pattern darned squares or checkerboard patterns within a rectangular shape, try half-step patterns within a rectangle or a circle.

1. Half-step patterns also begin with a line of evenly sized and spaced running stitches.

2. To start the second row of stitches, bring the threaded needle up adjacent to the mid-point of the last stitch in the first row. (figure 5; both yellow and red stitches are half-step patterns) If you keep the size of the running stitches and spaces between consistent with those in the first row, the stitches will be offset by half a stitch and will begin to form diagonal rows of stitches. When the running stitch samplers are complete, consider displaying them in frames or turn them into a small pillow or embellishment on a bag. You can use these stitching techniques to spruce up a pocket on a blouse, decoratively mend a favorite pair of jeans, or add visual figure 5 interest to a quilt project. threadborn.com

A finished sashiko sampler.