I just returned from almost a week at Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove, CA. I've been there before, and they have some truly awesome classes. It is really a wonderful experience. But this time it was even better because SisterStitches came with me!
Doesn't she look relaxed sitting on the deck of our room!?! We had a great time together, and we each chose the same class, too. We were in Sylvia Pippen's class on Japanese sashiko and appliqué. Check out Sylvia's website because there are fabulous pictures there. She does incredible work. And Sylvia is also a great teacher. Lots of fun, fairly laid back, and really good at instruction.
Here is my work in progress. I need to make some more flowers to applique, but you get the idea. I already have the water pieces appliqued onto the backing fabric (which is a dark blue Moda marble). The white lines are where I will do sashiko stitching. The idea is plumeria flowers floating down a stream. I'll let you see more of it as I progress in my work.
SisterStitches chose to work on two different designs. (She's an over-achiever!) The one above is very pretty appliqued waves, and you can see that she has started her sashiko stitching.
This pretty moon (or sun) belongs to SisterStitches, too. She has begun her stitching on the waves, which will build up and splash in front of the setting sun (or rising moon).
While we've both done applique and embroidery before, neither of us had tried sashiko (although I've always wanted to and have had the materials for quite a few years now!). The sashiko stitching is different from regular embroidery, as the stitches are larger, and each stitch has a space between it and the next. You can see that a little bit in my practice piece below.
And here is one of the many deer that were around the Asilomar grounds. They are actually quite used to people being around, so they don't scare very easily. I still wouldn't want to get too close, though!
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| Isn't he sweet-looking!?! |
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