Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Japanese Embroidery Phase 2-3 - Flax-Leaf Effect

I've had a very slow two weeks, so I was very happy to wake up early yesterday morning with the urge to stitch. I think it had something to do with the sun shining brightly and that I didn't have to be at work on account of it being a national holiday.

I decided to take out Hiogi and tackle the flax-leaf effect paulownia leaf. I figured it should be a cinch since it was one I was already familiar with.


What I didn't plan on were my hands being so cold I couldn't twist my thread. It kept slipping, instead of twisting. I've tried washing them in hot water, clapping and rubbing them together. It would work with one strand before my hands became too cold again. I guess I have poor circulation right now.


Luckily the following steps didn't require twisted thread, so I was able to move along.


I wasn't a hundred percent sold on the colors initially when I saw them side by side, but stitched they look great. I'm really happy I don't have a stash of silks as I would have been tempted to change the color.


One more off my list.
  • finish sayagata cloud
  • finish shippo cloud
  • finish the snow flake in the upper right corner
  • finish the woven effect paulownia
  • finish the tie dye effect paulownia
  • start and finish the flax leaf effect paulownia
  • start and finish the separated single layer paulownia (low priority)


Next Sunday is my monthly Japanese embroidery meeting, so I'll have to decide what my goal will be. I'm not sure I want to start the last paulownia leaf, so it'll have to be either the shippos or the snow flake. I have the week to decide.

6 comments:

  1. I admire your work on this project.

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  2. We tend not to realise just how much temperature can affect textiles of all types - never mind the humans working with them!

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  3. So pretty! I'm glad you prevailed, even with your hands suffering. It's so fun to watch this project come together piece by piece!

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  4. Wow, there's a big difference between the 3rd and 4th photos! It looks really beautiful in the final picture.

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  5. This is looking so beautiful, I love all the colours!

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  6. I've never before thought about the problems cold hands would have on embroidery beyond not being able to hold a needle properly! Something to plan for I guess. I really like those colours together too - very striking!

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