My Studio post this month is about the stitching progress on my denim jacket. Last time, I had made a start on the centre back panel with a grid pattern. The colour of the thread is a muted green, similar to a sage green colour, I like it a lot. The thread I have used is DMC coton a broder, so, not a stranded embroidery floss, and the whole thread is used. My stitching is in the style of sashiko, but I do not regard my efforts as sashiko.

I do not have any sashiko thread, which I think is a little thicker than the coton a broder. I wanted to use materials that I have without having to buy anything new – my jacket being a (bargain) charity shop buy, and it’s pale blue colour does suit the muted colours of my thread. I may buy some proper sashiko thread in the future though.

Marking the grid.

I did buy 2 pieces of a ‘Solvy’ pattern paper sometime ago to try out – curiosity really, and I had seen some people use it on IG. The idea is to stick the paper to the item you wish to enhance or mend, stitch the pattern and then soak the item in water to dissolve it. However, I found it very difficult to stitch through (on denim), I found it was only possible to do one stitch at a time, as opposed to taking several bites of fabric without the solvy. It is definitely not the easy solution as described by IG or YouTube people. I used one piece, and extended the pattern on the rest of the back panel using a ruler and a Frixion pen. The first photo shows the Solvy paper in place as I mark my pattern, and a partial pattern completed due to sore fingers.

These two photos showing progress and the grid.

A YouTube channel, for such stitching that I like very much, is called ‘The Green Wrapper’; the presenter demonstrates on small squares of fabric, mostly a 10cm square, or a 20 cm square; text on the screen describes, and gives instructions to achieve the sashiko design. Sometimes she uses items of clothing to stitch on. I have followed her instructions, and they are really clear.

I drew some circles, some interlocking, using two different sizes of a drinking glass. I then drew the grid using 0.5 cm lines with the frixion pen, and followed the channel directions, and pausing the channel several times until it was stuck in my head! It is amazing that such seemingly complicated patterns can be made using a simple grid, and basically a running stitch. I used two other colours of thread (ran out of the green)

I remain undecided about what to stitch on the side panels; I have drawn a fan shape of lines radiating from the bottom upwards, but I will wait a while before committing with needle and thread.

I love how my jacket looks. I have worn it out a few times, and friends have been complimentary about it. I will do some thinking about the front of the jacket too, and will write more about it for next time.

Some of my photos remain large, I am sorry about this, but I did manage to make two of them a little smaller – hope for me yet!!!