While I had shingles earlier in the year I spent a lot of time doing very little, sitting in front of the TV for hours at a time too unwell to do much. There were weeks when it was hard to choose what to watch and I couldn’t knit. Subtitles were too much. I had so much trouble planning that I didn’t see one kind friend who offered because I couldn’t imagine being able to do any of the things we usually do together (or something!). But eventually I remembered I had sashiko samplers I had bought in Japan, and I turned out to be capable of following the dotted line.
I also braided my sashiko threads with some kind (online) help from India Flint.
It’s quite inexpert sashiko but I found it very satisfying and spent hours and hours stitching this way without having to plan or decide on colours or anything. Eventually I realised that I had bought two cushion cover blanks, not just random samplers. So I decided I may as well turn them into cushions. The op shop provided as always:
(Eeek! Not my thing)–covers stripped off and contents washed, I have two cushion stuffers without any new plastic being created. Polyester fibrefill is not good stuff–and this is my current solution to having more of it come into existence on my account. I’ve given up making cushions stuffed with fabric scraps as I did in the past because it just couldn’t be plainer that there are industrial scale amounts of this material already in existence and headed for landfill. This is a small diversion. And yes, wash them in their covers or in a guppyfriend if you have one or in a bag to keep plastic waste out of the sewerage system.
A little bit of simple stitching and–
Local & Bespoke 
They look great! It’s been on my list for a while, but probably not until I’m old and decrepit. Right now I’m only the latter, but refuse to acknowledge it….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Pia! Sorry to hear you’re not fit and we’ll. And isn’t it good that stitching just waits until you come for it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re beautiful! I do the same with recycling pillow materials, and have been worrying about microfibers – but hadn’t heard about guppybags. So thank you again for being a source of planet friendly information.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! You are so welcome. And I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one…
LikeLike
I have never heard of this type of needlework and I’m totally hooked. They look fabulous. This is definitely on my to do list. Hope you feel better now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I certainly do feel better, thank you. And I’ve started another project in sashiko.
LikeLike
Great result.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
A post from another creative blogger I follow also talked about stitching while sick. She also followed Japanese patterns, but differently. Thought you might be interested…there’s lots of other inspiration in her postings too!
http://stuffyoucanthave.blogspot.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my goodness! That is rather awesome. Those hidden world advent calendars are especially fabulous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She comes up with incredibly ingenious things, and I thought there was quite a bit of commonality between you two.
: )
LikeLiked by 1 person