One of the first crafty courses I enrolled in post B1 and B2 was Sashiko, run by Kimono House at the Nicholson building in Melbourne. I remember being nervous because 1) I was leaving the kids for a whole day (shocking I know) and 2) because I’d signed up by myself and felt I’d been out of the grown-up sphere too long and wouldn’t have anything to talk about other than premie twins, sleepless nights and poo.

the original

I needn’t have been concerned as the class was filled with lovely women who also had kids (shocking, again, I know! I don’t have a huge number of friends (kind of full stop) who have kidlets, plus I failed at mothers group (too quirky), so usually assume most families are made up with the addition of fur kids) and I spent the day learning this new craft and starting the foundations for my indigo quilt.

Sashiko for Bruce

I first got the idea for Bruce’s doona cover when I saw this project from the Craft Sessions. Poor Bruce has lucked out in the crafty Pipsie department, and is still waiting on a much wanted super person costume. So this was my project to redeem myself.

Sashiko for Bruce a year on. Still looking good!

I purchased this amazing piece of Italian linen from Tessuti fabrics last year and I would definitely consider this an investment piece. I think they are getting some more in this year, just be prepared to hip and shoulder me out of the way. Using the cost per wear calculations (or in this case cost per sleep) it is practically paying for itself, and should last at least 10 years. Linen has the beautiful effect of becoming even softer and more lovely with each wash. And has the additional bonus of being wrinkly in its natural state, so does not require ironing. Huzzah!
Using the sashiko stitch, I hand stitched the circle using a sashiko thread that I hand dyed across the circle, with a red centre and a blue/grey larger circle.

I think this took me about 6 months to make, and was used as therapy. Snuggling under this gorgeous fabric on the couch, I ran stitches across and relaxed as it came together. It was such a calming piece to make, and was quite meditative once the flow began. Hiding the actual project from Bruce wasn’t particularly effective, but the final design wasn’t revealed until the big birthday.

In a testament to its popularity, it has been on the bed ever since.

Panda Wine photo bomb

I need to finalise the design for the next doona cover which is a slate grey linen. I’ve drafted a frangipani floral design, but haven’t managed to take it any further yet. Life. Its so busy.

Do you use craftiness as a substitution or complementary therapy for therapy? (that made sense in my head so I’m going to leave it there. Congratulations if you understand!).

Curtsey.

Pips xxx

PS. I’m participating in One Week One Pattern facilitated by Hand Made Jane this week. The idea is to utilise the same pattern for a week, and show your styling and the versatility of said pattern. You can follow my dress-ups on instagram @magdalenesmuse. Here is todays outfit…

The Anna Dress