We have six entry to the monthly lucky draw and the lucky winner of this month is number 4, quiltsummse, who shared her beautiful thimble named autumn forest with us.
Quiltsummse, will you please send me an e-mail for shipping address? No hurry though, because the local post offices are now closed for New Years Holidays and won't be open until 4th of January.
Guess what? I finally went ahead and made my own temari. I have wanted to make temari for a long time but haven't got around to make one until now. One of the main reasons why I didn't was the size of temari. As I assumed that it was quite possible that I might be addicted to temari making, I feared I would need a lot of space to store temari. One temari won't take too much space, but five or ten will require a substantial storage space, you know.
I used regular machine thread to wrap the ball and size 9 silk hand sewing thread (the same one I use for thimble making) and I am not very happy with the result. It's quite possible that it is everything to do with my wrapping being so floppy (I know I need more work here) and nothing to do with the thread size being so similar but don't you think it looks too busy? I am thinking silk floss for Japanese embroidery, the one untwisted silk fiber, for wrapping so that the background would look much smoother. Would temari experts kindly help me out?
maybe you can "hide" the courseness of the base thread by making it in black? I love the design and the craftsmanship is beautiful as it always is.
ReplyDeleteMaybe more contrast between the colour of the base and the design stitching would help to draw your eye to the design instead of seeing the base wrap.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very beautiful and well stitched temari. Good idea to used your silks and stay with a small size. I know the size of that coin so your temari really is tiny.
Congratulations on making your first temari.
a really nice kiku!
ReplyDeleteFor mini temari using #80-90 (2 コード) sewing thread instead of #50-60 makes noticeable difference. Darker colors look smother then lighter. My favorite is MIRO "multi" #80 by Ozeki. This threads are a bit slippery, take patience to wrap, but I like the end result. You can get them in some Yuzawaya stores in Japan, or try online.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Chloe Patricia!
ReplyDeleteYour little temari is very pretty even if the background might seem a bit coarse. I have seen pictures of historical temari that have a similar look. I think it is just a matter of your taste.
I agree with Sasha that you probably want to find a smaller thread to wrap with so that there is a greater size difference between your wrap and stitching threads.
I like your idea to use the untwisted fiber but I'm not familiar with it so can't say how well it will work. Certainly an untwisted fiber will lay flatter on the surface of the ball and give you a smoother background for your twisted thimble threads. I think it is definitely worth the experiment.
I love the idea of a chocolate box filled up with temari. First you get the fun of having the chocolates, then the joy of making the temari, and then the pleasure of peeking in the box to see all the beautiful treasures!
I think your temari is beautiful, but I do understand your concern.
ReplyDeleteI have stitched temari as small as yours and used regular sewing thread for the wrap I think the problem is that your stitching thread is so close in color to your wrap thread that your eye is not pulled to the design. Colors play with the light differently when stitched on a ball. A darker outline or a stitching thread with more contrast will help. I find a black or dark color background works best when stitching with a light color.