fini – well almost – maybe
do you get a warm, fuzzy satisfied feeling when you finally finish something?
something you have put your heart into
well, several hearts
lace pick-up done as a sample 
ALL of the fabrics are hand-woven and indigo dyed or top dyed, entirely hand stitched using an old sheet for backing.
I love the simple stitching on the back – some day I’ll stitch a piece inside-out just like this – someday.
the piecing and stitching has been in the works for approximately 3 1/2 years. The weaving dates back to 1985, one fabric is handspun flax and silk on a silk warp. First it was a jacket, after several years it became a blouse and finally a vest.
this was the back of the vest, it was made up of small pieces and the seams were highlighted with chain stitch. I have left all the finishing details; stitching, crochet and hem stitching on the pieces. And this was the start of the quilt, I’ve left the basting because possibly I’ll add more stitching – I only said maybe it was finished!
the fabric cut out for the nine patch became an indigo moon with a sashiko cloud
this piece was the back of a vest, woven and dyed at Kawashima Textile School, Kyoto in 1987 with the stitching finished in Canada.
impossible to photograph
it is part of my story - of course it’s not finished – the story continues
well, jean, this is amazing, and maybe worth a great photo–someone with a good camera and a white wall? or maybe it only needs to be photoed bit by bit…but it’s really beautiful. your hand’s memories.
Incredibly lovely
Beautiful!
totally agree w velma.!did you study at kawashima? now i understand a couple of things
Neki – I spent 6 months, living in residence, at Kawashima in 1987. It was a remarkable experience.
Love it so much I would like to unfold, turn it inside out and count every stitches! Hope it’s your show and tell piece!
Nat – can’t take the blankie to Japan, it would fill half a suitcase and weighs too much.
Oooh, what a beauty!
Beautiful, I love to look at every pricture and see every patiently stitched detail.
I am glad that it took you longtime to ‘almost finish’, sometimes I feel guilty about my unfinished projects, about how long it takes doesn’t really matter, does it?
Blandina – sometimes the pile of unfinished work makes me anxious but the works is slow by definition and can’t be rushed, besides who decides what is finished?
nice cloth!
thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. It’s a great feeling to have it finished and I’ve put it on the bed.
isn’t it lovely when you can take your history and memories and create such a tangible thing? the quilt looks incredible, where will you keep it? at the end of a bed, or on the wall?
the quilt is already on the bed. I don’t like quilts that don’t serve the purpose they were made for, to give comfort.
hear, hear! but the really little ones don’t cover very much…unless you’re a dolly.
and dollies like blankies, too. especially the ones you make/remake
Your sashiko is absolutely beautiful…I never tire of blue and white.
Kristin – I love handstitching, that’s what I started with as a child, I find it very meditative.
Me, too. I still prefer sewing by hand instead of machine.