Sashiko Sampler an Original Needlepoint Project from Blue Dogwood Designs

Sashiko Sampler an original Needlepoint project from Blue Dogwood Designs

November 2014 November - Monogram corners and border.

You can start this project with this instruction and monthly

stitchguide free to download.

If you would like the canvas marked and ready to go, order for $31 plus shipping http://www.bluedogwooddesigns.com/newdesigns.php I am using Zweigart Vintage Blue 18 count canvas, which has a washed overdye look. Some of the canvas will show as the design continues.

Finished size is 8.25 in x 7.5 in on 18 count.

Fibers are from Valdani - they have 6 ply silk and 3 ply cotton, sold in small balls. Peacock Alley Needlepoint in Ada, Michigan, will have the threads or check your local needlepoint store.

Have fun with this stitchguide or modify on your own.

This project will unfold over the next 12 months. The shell design is inspired by a traditional Sashiko pattern. The shells will be filled with designs inspired by blackwork, open work and lacey backgrounds. A sampler to try different patterns in tiny bits.

Order the Vintage Blue Zweigart canvas with the diagram marked in the ditch and ready to go on the website here: http://www.bluedogwooddesigns.com/newdesigns.php for $31 plus shipping/handling.

You can use your own canvas and stitch the outline from January 2014 Stitchguide.

Here is the order of the shells. Step by step

Threads needed: Shell 24 M42 3 ply cotton

Shell 25 M42 3 ply cotton

Border 5 ply of O526 silk - green colorway for top half 5 ply of V16 silk - purple colorway for bottom half

Alphabet is 5 high. Most are 4 wide but a couple are 5 wide

Print out this page and use the blank box to sketch out your

letters in pencil. Top of first letter is 2 threads below shell

outline.

Stitch the monogram first. O526 6 ply silk - use 2 ply

Note - the date below is 6 threads high.

Step 1: Red stitches are a simple cross. Use 2 ply of the M42 cotton.

This makes a simple cross stitch over one thread.

Print this page out and practice your letters here with pencil.

Step 2: use 3 ply of O562

Tent stitches every other that

are offset. Work this vertically

from the top down in a vertical column - start on the long outside edge.

Compensate around your simple cross initials.

Shell #25

THE DATE IS 6 THREADS HIGH Monogram was 5 high.

Red stitches are 2 ply of M42 cotton for this simple cross over 1 thread. You can see the stitched sample that there is a light section of the thread on ours. If you like, you can cut a section of your thread that is more evenly colored.

The green is 3 ply of O562 cotton.

Border

See the diagram of the corner and the direction of the stitches. There is a cross stitch in the corner.

Look closely - there is one thread that separates shell border and this outside outline. It will be most important at top right corner where the pattern goes to the edge. See on the bottom, it does not bump right up to the bottom of the shell arcs.

Start with 5 ply V16 at the Start Here spot. Think of that start spot as "9 o'clock" and work down,

across and up to the "3 o'clock" - stitch the purple line border. Then take 5 ply of O526 silk at "9 o'clock" and work up, across and down to the "3 o'clock" top portion

to stitch the green line border.

See the diagram of the corner and the direction of the stitches.

***Remember to watch that border spacing leaving 1 thread...

Best, My best friends are stitchers,

Kay @ Blue Dogwood Designs

Questions? Email me at [email protected]