Sashiko workshop with Susan Faeder

Today we had our workshop with Susan Faeder. I think everyone who attended had a great time. She started out with a discussion of the history of sashiko in Japan. It originated on the northern islands where fisherman's wives stitched their husbands' cotton indigo jackets to repair them and to add extra layers of warmth. Susan showed a beautiful sample probably pre World War II. She talked about how it has evolved to current times where it is used to embellish everything from hanafuki (a cloth used to protect teapot and tea caddies) to quilts. Susan then had us choose a piece of had dyed indigo and thread, and after a brief intro to the mechanics of stitching, we started to stitch a straight line and geometric shapes. Everyone's style was so different. We then learned to trace stencils, and continued to experiment. I know I was pleased with all I learned, and can't wait to continue working on my sampler. My goal is to incorporate it into a quilt.

State Guild Meeting

Last weekend, a few members of our Guild and I attended the meeting of the State Guild.  Geri Wolf is very active with the group.  They had a general meeting, show and tell, and a lecture by Lizzie B Creative, a two women team who do workshops and publish books on their own unique method of creating quilt patterns.   They brought some beautiful samples, and did a great slide show.  Very inspiring!!!

I had the opportunity to meet several people from area Guilds.  I also did a presentation on my idea to do a workshop with the quilters from Gee's Bend, and asked if there may be interest in another Guild co-sponsoring them.  I did make a connection with a woman from Berry Basket Guild, in Medford, who said that they may be interested.  I am hoping we can manage to pull it off!!!

I recommend that anyone who is interested try to attend a meeting.  It really seems to be a nice group.