Darning socks, clothes and other textile items was seen as a necessary skill in the past, and samplers were made to show how.
The Japanese stitching crafts of sashiko and kogin were used to reinforce clothing, joining layers together and at the same time embellish what needed to be mended or strengthened. Intricate patterns were created and handed down.
However, the embroidery stitch known as Japanese Darning is a combination of the Running Stitch and the Holbein Stitch and does not feature in the Sashiko or Kogin style.
Or am I wrong? Carorose, Queen of Kogin, is there a connection? Do you know the history of Japanese Darning?
Mattia supplied the French name: Point de trait japonais ou point de reprise japonais, but I have traced no name in Swedish, nor in JAPANESE!!!!!
I found the Japanese Darning Stitch in several of my books, the best illustrations were in The Embroidery Stitch Bible.
This is what Japanese Darning Stitch looks like on my Aida sampler.
Working order:
First a row of Running Stitches, longer on the top of the fabric than below and over an odd number of holes.
Then add a second (and third and so on) row where the stitches are placed in a brickwork fashion.
Stitch slanted Straight Stitches to join the rows.
For clarity I have used a different colour.
Continue in the second row.
By using two rows you get a zig-zaggy border.
By adding row upon row you can fill a larger area, and
that is the HOMEWORK:
Fill a block on this sampler with Japanese Darning.
Happy Stitch Sunday to all!
