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Wednesday 21 January 2015

WIPW - Growing Red, Growing Old

Work In Progress Wednesday, my weekly report on needlework projects, today contains:

Pile 'em On
I parked a few stray thread ends in the circle and worked more pulled stitches in the 'flames' going out from the circle.










TASTy Beads Galore
This time I used TAST #98 Beaded Shell Chain to stitch the stem and the flowers.


Growing Red
This project is now completed.
First let me show you details of the latest wool embroidery. The fabric is a beautiful wool crepe that has been a delight to stitch.





From that embroidered fabric I then constructed a special waistcoat, called chanchan-ko'. Mine is a modern version.
Such a red waistcoat, often wadded, was in former days in Japan, presented to those who had reached three score. It was a sign that they had taken a back seat and let the younger generation take over work, responsibilities and power.

Or it might be seen as a warning sign - here comes someone who is a bit gaga, do odd things and must be given leeway...

However old I've grown, I hope I will be given plenty of odd, gaga leeway in my future embroidery projects, and I have no intention of letting anyone take over my needlework, responsibilities of my sharp scissors or power over my stitching fingers.

I am also so pleased that my chanchan-ko goes well with the collar and cuffs completed earlier.

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30 comments:

  1. Chris(craft) and Dave(photos) Richards21 January 2015 at 16:39

    Well Queenie, I reach my 'Chanchan ko' this year ! I've always been a little ' Gaga' !
    The colours of thread you have chosen are perfect as is the beautiful design !
    A very elegant attire.............So what delight shall we look forward to next ?
    hugs
    Chris Richards xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch21 January 2015 at 20:48

      I wish you a great event with the family when your day comes. I can not believe that you have ever been gaga! Yes, the yarn was chosen to give a discrete accent in red.
      What's next? There will be some quilting, needle keeps and stumpwork portraits.

      Delete
    2. Chris(craft) and Dave(photos) Richards22 January 2015 at 07:40

      Oh super stuff Queenie.............always love to see your creativity, thank you !
      xx

      Delete
  2. Pamela21 January 2015 at 18:01

    Beautiful chanchan-ko. So glad to see the finished item so quickly!
    I wish I could join you at the quilt show! Can't wait to read about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch21 January 2015 at 20:51

      Working on a fixed time limit was a bit of a challenge, but I am glad to have completed it quickly. Going to the show on Friday, will miss you!

      Delete
  3. Séverine22 January 2015 at 02:25

    Your chanchan-ko'. is just beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 07:17

      Thank you, it was lovely material to work with and it's nice to wear.

      Delete
  4. https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com22 January 2015 at 05:00

    Thanks for sharing the history of the chanchan-ko as I'd not heard about them. It's looking beautiful with the collar and cuffs too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 07:22

      More to read here if you are interested: http://japansocietyny.blogspot.jp/2013/09/in-vestments-kanreki-rebirth-at-age-60.html
      The collar and cuffs look like they are made for the waistcoat, but it is the other way round!

      Delete
    2. https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com23 January 2015 at 05:20

      Thanks, I'll take a look.

      Delete
  5. Annet22 January 2015 at 05:26

    Love your waitstcoat! Such pretty flowers on it, especially the laidwork foundation flower. And another pretty flower on your beadwork galore. Which reminds me, I have 3 more TAST stitches to catch up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 07:26

      Thank you. The laidwork is based on Swedish Hallandssöm: http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=en-GB&q=hallandssöm&gbv=2&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=KSfAVNGvHKW8mAXv2IHgAw&ved=0CBQQsAQ
      I have a few Beaded TAST stitches to work, too.

      Delete
  6. Janie22 January 2015 at 05:36

    Beautiful work, I do enjoy seeing what you've done. Thanks for sharing. Have fun for me too
    at the quilt show.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 07:27

      Thank you Janie.
      I will hopefully have many pictures from the show for you to look at.

      Delete
  7. crazyQstitcher22 January 2015 at 06:25

    You have a delightful imagination when it comes to designs. From the Pile em on to quickly finished Chanchan ko, all are wonderful and beautifully stitched. The garment looks great on you.

    LOL If you are gaga, I want to be just like you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 07:15

      Thank you! Yes let's found a Gaga club and we can be the first two members!

      Delete
  8. carorose22 January 2015 at 09:55

    It was with great interest I read about the history of chanchan-ko. What a wonderful tradition? And what a wonderful vest? I love the way you have combined the Swedish and Japanese together. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 19:52

      Back in Sweden my friends and family often talk of the respect (and care) elderly people are given in Japan, here it is kind of taken for granted. However, times are changing and there are now many elderly living alone with no one to give them a warm and cosy waistcoat.
      I, too, like the Swedish Japanese touch.

      Delete
  9. Tanya22 January 2015 at 11:22

    Your chan-chan-ko is beautiful and so are you!
    I wonder if I should make myself a red chan-chan-ko... I don't think I want to wear one of the Japanese padded ones and maybe if I have my own people won't "bless" me with one this year... Hmmm. I'd need to learn embroidery though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 19:54

      Oh, Tanya, surely you are too young to be given a red waistcoat! You might like to have a padded one though, to fight off the bitter cold of Nikko. Why not make a quilted version?!

      Delete
  10. Anonymous22 January 2015 at 13:43

    I like your modern version of Japanese waist coat. beautiful embroidery on the red fabric. the beaded shell chain looks very nice. great progress on Pile them on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 19:55

      It is you who have inspired me to work on garments, Chitra, with all the beautiful tunics and shawls you make.

      Delete
  11. Elizabeth's quarters22 January 2015 at 18:53

    They work beautifully as an ensemble–and have an almost ceremonial look to them. The cuffs and collar would be perfect here in chilly London, not only warm but cheerful too. Regarding age appropriate clothing and behaviour, I share the sentiment in Jenny Joseph's poem, 'When I am old I shall wear purple' and embrace my inner gaganess.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch22 January 2015 at 20:00

      Yes, Jenny Joseph mentions things I want to do, like run my walking stick (I do need to embroider one first, though) along the public railings and gobble up samples in shops, but instead of spending my pension on brandy maybe I'll spend it of thread...
      It is bitterly cold here too, the first snow of the winter fell yesterday...

      Delete
    2. Pamela23 January 2015 at 06:21

      First snow! We've had so much lately that it seems like we've never been without snow. I hope it doesn't cause you much trouble as you venture out today.

      Delete
  12. Stitching Lady22 January 2015 at 22:54

    I love your chanchan-ko - I am wearing such garments all the time - they are practical, warm, beautifully looking, chic and much more - and yours with the inspirational stitching is very special - and so nice to see you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch23 January 2015 at 07:24

      The padded waistcoat is the old version of today's ultra light down or fleece waistcoat. Whichever you wear, they offer warmth and comfort. With embroidery, maybe also a bit added style!?

      Delete
  13. Anonymous23 January 2015 at 22:31

    Your waist coat is very stylish and matches beautifully with the cuffs and collar. You have made something to show off and be proud to wear, well done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Queeniepatch23 January 2015 at 23:57

      Thank you Susan! I wore it at the Tokyo Quilts Show today and it was admired by some visitors.

      Delete
  14. Anna van Schurman25 January 2015 at 05:13

    Your waistcoat is marvelous!

    ReplyDelete

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