Blogging Holiday Blogging Strike

I have been having trouble with my internet service provider recently. Service has been blotchy.

When things are back to a steady normal service is not certain yet (Japan has a Bank Holiday this weekend and it's also the summer holiday season, so maintenance staff are scarce).

I will therefore take a holiday from blogging, while the internet connection is 'on strike', let's say for a week.

So no Sunday Stitch School lesson tomorrow, nor a WIPW report on Wednesday and of course no Friday Homework next Friday. Whether I will be able to visit blogs is uncertain.

Queenie

Friday Homework for Lesson 142: Ieshininninu Chieshirokochu Stitch

It was far easier to do the homework than to learn the name of this Ainu stitch.

Aida Sampler

Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart

Teal Wool Tailoring Scribble Cloth

This stitch is easy and fast, but do make the Running Stitch rather long and that you use two threads of different colours so the contrast of the over stitching becomes clear.

WIPW - Grey Turns Crazy

So it is Wednesday again - this day in the middle of the week comes around so quickly.

My progress:

Freeform Embroidery

I added the following stitches: Herringbone, Diamond and Square Boss.

Tvistsöm Cushion

The humidity interferes with the woollen fibres and they seem to get frizzier and the stitching is harder.
Anyway, I managed to add some more columns, there are now 46.

Log Cabin Challenge

These ten stitches found their way onto the Log Cabin flimsy:

1. Raised Chain version 1
2. Linked Chain
3. Feathered Chain
4. Woven Trellis
5. Triple Chain
6. Threaded Cable Chain
7. Sorbello
8. Knotted Satin
9. Upright Cross
10. Two Sided Insertion

These additions are marked in yellow.

I also pieced another ten blocks. The total is 174.

Crazy for Crazy

Until now I have made fifteen blocks,

but think I'd better make another five. With twenty blocks I can get a better rectangular shape for the quilt. (The black bias tape will be removed, instead I will use a lattice when I eventually assemble the blocks into a quilt.)

So the first of these five new blocks will be in gray. Yes, I know it is a dull colour, but I think with the addition of beads, black details and in the centre a special piece of woven beads, it will still look stylish and elegant.

Sunday Stitch School - Lesson 142: Ieshininninu Chieshirikochu Stitch

Today our stitch adventures take us to the Japanese northern island of Hokkaido to look at Ainu culture.
You can read all about this ethnic group indigenous to Japan, and Russia (Shakhalin) here.      

Some years ago I bought a book, written by Sanae Kogawa (小川早苗) about the beautiful garments of The Ainu.

Apart from pictures of the stunning robes, the book contains good instructions for the complicated process of making fabric from the soft inner bark of the Elm tree.
Also on how to appliqué beautiful patterns with cotton fabric on top of the elm tree weave, and how to add decorative embroidery stitches.

My friend Pamela of Hokkaido Kudasai and her stitch group have started on a small embroidery project. I felt it was time for me too, to make use of the stitches.

Today's stitch is in Ainu language called I E SHI NIN NI NU    CHI E SHI RI KO CHU. It is a bit long and difficult for me, so I will give it the nickname of Ainu Running Stitch. Any complaints, let me know.

Yes, you start with a Running Stitch,
preferably of long stitches.
With a thread of contrasting colour,
come out just below the middle of the first
stitch (on the right).

Insert the needle right above the 

stitch, and take a slanted 

stitch as shown in the picture.

Take a new slanted stitch,

thereby making a 'fake' whipped

stitch.

Continue in the same way
to the end of the line.

 Isn't it a beautiful overstitched Running Stitch?

Your 

Homework 

will be as usual: Add stitches to these samplers