Chiyogami inspirations

Shortly after coming back to the UK after my year teaching English in Japan, I designed several needlepoint patterns inspired by various Japanese designs, including this chair, which was based on a very small monochrome illustration from 'The World of Chiyogami', a book I borrowed from Yuza-machi's public library.  I never managed to find a copy of the book at the time and, when I first looked for it online, it was really expensive.  A few weeks ago, I decided to have another look on Amazon and found it.  The book arrived today and is just as good as I remembered it. There's still one copy at a reasonable price on Amazon!

The chair came from my mum's family home and would have belonged to my great grandparents.  It is c.1900.

Solar Eclipse... in needlepoint

In case you can't see tomorrow's solar eclipse very well from your part of the planet (we have light cloud forecast, so I am crossing my fingers), here's my solar eclipse needlepoint cushion I made around the time of the last eclipse visible in the UK, in August 1999.  I used a cross stitch programme to create a chart from an image found on the internet and it was stitched using DMC needlepoint wools on 10 count canvas, so it was a fairly quick project.  The size is around 14in square.  

I forgot which was the right way up when I took the photos - the top is on the right!

Sorry I can't post the chart - it is on my old HP computer, which isn't set up at the moment, and I don't know where the printout is right now.  It is the kind of thing I will have kept somewhere!

I had to take three photos because the cushion pad is sewn in and I can't remove it easily for a photo, so the image is curved at the edge.  I like the idea of stitching unexpected things.

Narrowboat cushion design - needlepoint

I don't think I've posted a picture of this design before - the cushion at the front left of the photo was inspired by the narrowboat signwriting and cabin decoration. I used to sell it as a kit, which came with a full alphabet and number chart, so you could add the name and date of your choice. Perhaps I should reissue the pattern?

I used to do a lot of needlepoint, all issued as patterns, mainly with Japanese designs (images from scanned photos).


The four seasons -


Designs from C17th Noh costumes -


From antique lacquerware -


Inspired by an old piece of chiyogami stencilled paper -


I have the cover for a 1930s recliner finished - just need to find an upholsterer to restore the chair!