Preparing a pattern

On Sunday evening I pulled out the Japanese style quilt as I had received the sashiko thread that I needed to start the next round of this quilt. 

I want to do two piece of stitching for the sides and below you can see the pattern I'm hoping to follow. This is in a book I have by Susan Briscoe. I also have a really useful source book for sashiko patterns that she wrote. I think this will work on the two sides.

The diagram below is of one koi. To create the panel you turn the fish pattern over for the second fish. It will be facing the other way. I like the colours that have been used for the fish panels and I will be using similar colours of thread.

I still have four pictures of Japanese ladies from the original panel and I need to decide how I am going to incorporate them into the quilt. I have several different ideas but I need to decide which one will look the best. Here isa view of the original panel

Over the next couple of days I'll finish copying out the fish patterns so I can get on with the stitching.

At the stitch festival on Saturday I spent some time talking to Caroline whose stand sold sashiko patterns, templates and threads. She had stitched some covers for her display. Whilst we were talking to her she was busy stitching a pattern for a bag she was making.

There were several stands offering stencils for sashiko patterns. The certainly make it easier than drawing the pattern out yourself.

Last night I spent some time stitching on my tablecloth. I have such a small amount of stitching to complete the second side. Unfortunately I was too tired to finish it completely. There is a butterfly on each side but I'm leaving them until everything else is completed.

This morning popped into my local sewing shop as I needed a couple of zips. I saw this fabric and had to buy it. I have a child's summer dress to make.

From Friday I am on two weeks holiday and this evening I've started to put together some visits. I booked tickets for April 1st to go to the Turner and Constable exhibition at the Tate Britain. I also want to visit the William Morris Museum in Walthamstow. Here they celebrate designs and work from all the Morris family. I don't want too many outings during the holiday as I have a lot of sewing I want to get done and two dogs who are looking forward to a couple of long walks. Just two days at work and then....

Take care

Lyndsey