There & Back – Sashiko

This post is part of the A Season by Hand series. Find the schedule here.
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a season by handOur guest today is Katie from There & Back, who hosted a few linkys last summer known as the hand made parade, so I knew she’d be perfect for a post about making things by hand!  And, you simply must visit her blog and look at the pictures of her most recent vacation {that she references in her post}, being originally from western Washington, it was fun to see so many familiar places.  Enjoy.

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Hi I’m Katie and I blog at There & Back.I mostly blog about quilting, with a good amount of hand work in there. I love needleturn applique, hand piecing, hand quilting and embroidery. I also throw in the occasional work related post, I’m a pastry chef, so you just might find me working on something yummy. I’m glad to be here sharing today as part of the Season by Hand Series.
Recently my husband and I took two of our three children, plus our dog, on a huge road trip. I knew I’d need something to do for at least part of the 30 hours I’d be a passenger, so I packed up some hand piecing and a new sashiko kit. I thought about taking cross stitch but didn’t want to worry about pattern sheets. I wanted my projects be as portable as possible. While sitting in the passenger seat through one province and three states I started a hand pieced quilt and nearly finished a sashiko panel.
My on-the-road set up is fairly simple. I have a  lap-desk that I spread everything out on. It’s big enough that I can keep my project book open so I can use the pockets. I don’t want my supplies sliding onto the floor. The lap-desk also provides a flat work surface flat and keeps me organized.
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I set up a similar way at the campsite, pretty much taking over half the picnic table!
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Starting a sashiko project is really easy. The only supplies you need are fabric, needle and thread. Using a hoop is optional. I like to use fabric with the stitch lines pre-printed, that way my stitches all come out evenly with the added bonus of not having to mark out the design myself.  You can find sashiko supplies at local quilt shops or online, just search on a site like Etsy.

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By the end of my road trip, I had a good start on the center medallion of my quilt and I had nearly finished my 18 x 14″ sashiko panel. While I should have been unpacking our trailer I finished it up 😉 Now I just need to figure out what to do with it. Any suggestions?
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Thanks Jennie and Clara, for having me, I’ve really enjoyed sharing my portable projects with you!

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28 Comments

  1. Oh wow, that is beautiful! I didn’t know you could get pre printed fabric for this, going to have to have a look for some of that! I don’t know what you could use it for, maybe a cushion or tote bag? Or you could do lots of different ones and make them into a quilt? That would look spectacular.

  2. wow, your sashiko panel is beautiful! It would make a pretty curtain in a bathroom/kitchen. Love the lap desk idea… would like to know more about that as I need something for an upcoming car journey (only 6 hours, with me driving half of that, but that’s a long road trip over here!)

  3. Great ideas! I’m not a hand piecer but a Sashiko project is something I’d love to try. I didn’t know about sashiko kits and know that would be my best bet for doing one. Yours is so yummy. It’s so pretty that I might just want it where I could pick it up and pet it every once in a while!!

  4. Thanks for the Sashiko idea. I want to make my daughter some Sashiko placemats for Christmas. An upcoming trip in September will be perfect for that.

  5. I’ve never heard of Sashiko – your project is beautiful! I also love your car set up… I always get so disorganized with all my supplies, so a lap desk would be so helpful!

  6. Your lap desk is amazing! I’m having a giggle thinking about the look my husband would give me if I pulled that out in the car… 😀

  7. Oh my goodness…..I need one of the project books!! I haven’t heard about sashiko before…..beautiful….I must try it! Thank you Katie1

  8. Wow, your work is stunning. I have not tried that but it now is on my to try list. Love how you are so organized! Great idea. Thank you for sharing.

  9. Recently my husband and I took two of our three children, plus our dog, on a huge road trip. I knew I’d need something to do for at least part of the 30 hours I’d be a passenger, so I packed up some hand piecing and a new sashiko kit. I thought about taking cross stitch but didn’t want to worry about pattern sheets. I wanted my projects be as portable as possible. While sitting in the passenger seat through one province and three states I started a hand pieced quilt and nearly finished a sashiko panel.

  10. You can also save and print their free Sashiko instructions which includes information on how to handle sashiko thread, transfer designs for sashiko to fabric, work the basic sashiko stitching, and the best way to work with the Sashiko Sampler kit.

  11. Choose one of 11 tropical foliage designs to make a 16″ x 16″ sashiko panel. Learn how to transfer a design to dark fabric, all about sashiko supplies, and how to make perfect sashiko stitches. Finishing techniques will be demonstrated, along with creative ways to use the panels in a quilt.

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