It happens every year. Christmas Eve. 2 am. Me, alone in a poorly lit room, stitching furiously to finish my last handmade gift.
I love to give handmade gifts for Christmas, but I always cut it a little too close. This year it was a table runner for my parents. I started out ahead of schedule, since I had to do most of my holiday preparations before we left Japan a few weeks ago.
But I kept putting off those last few tasks, and suddenly my ahead-of-schedule schedule was gone. There I was, alone with my stitching while visions of sugarplums danced in my head.
I enjoy designing my own sashiko patterns, but sometimes it’s fun to follow someone else’s rules. I found the pattern for this table runner in this book and I backed it with vintage kimono silk from a flea market in Kyoto. I liked the way the threads came together at the point to form a tassel.
I bet my mother never places anything on top of it, no matter how much I insist it’s meant to be used. But I guess, how practical is a table runner, really?
But enough about the sashiko, can you believe this needlepoint covered bench made by my husband’s grandmother?!
Saké Puppets 
So intricate. I love the design.
This is so beautiful. I would like to nominate you to the gift-giving hall of fame.
It’s really very beautiful! I love sashiko and I want to start do do something with this tecnique!
Hooray! Check out my tutorial (here –> https://sakepuppets.wordpress.com/sashiko/) to get started! Good luck!
Thanks a lot! I’ll try and I’ll tell you how it’s going!
Beautiful job, Angie. Is that Helen’s pillow? The two look lovely together.
Hi!
I’ve never heard of sashiko before, but it is stunning 🙂
Thanks!
Beautiful Angie, just beautiful. The table runner is beautiful and it is interesting how the threads form the tassle.
Love it! Very modern yet traditional.
Love this! I have to admit at first glance I thought it was a beautiful obi inspired belt, which would be awesome too…. amazing work.
Wondering if you are going to the Tokyo quilt show? Would love to meet you and thought you might be interested in meeting up there.
Leave me a comment at thecardboardcollective.com if you are interested.
Love this! At first glance I thought it was a beautiful obi-style belt, but wow, a great table runner it is… Amazing work!
Would love to meet you and I was wondering if you are attending the Tokyo quilt show. Leave me a comment at thecardboardcollective.com if you are interested in meeting up there.
Congrats on Design Sponge! That’s huge!
Thanks for the tip! I think I’ll check it out! I’ll send you a wee note soon…
I’m not afraid to put anything on it – it currently is on the dining room table proadly displayed with a candle sitting in the middle of it. Of course, the candle will never be lit while sitting on the runner.