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
Your sashiko is absolutely beautiful…I never tire of blue and white.
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Kristin – I love handstitching, that’s what I started with as a child, I find it very meditative.
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Me, too. I still prefer sewing by hand instead of machine.
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hear, hear! but the really little ones don’t cover very much…unless you’re a dolly.
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and dollies like blankies, too. especially the ones you make/remake
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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?
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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.
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nice cloth!
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thanks everyone for the encouraging comments. It’s a great feeling to have it finished and I’ve put it on the bed.
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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?
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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?
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Oooh, what a beauty!
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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!
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Nat – can’t take the blankie to Japan, it would fill half a suitcase and weighs too much.
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totally agree w velma.!did you study at kawashima? now i understand a couple of things 😉
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Neki – I spent 6 months, living in residence, at Kawashima in 1987. It was a remarkable experience.
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Beautiful!
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Incredibly lovely
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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.
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