Japanese Embroidery Phase 9 – Treasure Ship
Design by the Japanese Embroidery Center – stitched by Christene Thurston
This design came from an embroidered fukusa (cloth for covering gifts) from the Temple of Kombuin collection of embroidered fukusa. Many auspicious motifs are found in this piece. On the sail is the magic straw rain cape and hat that make you invisible, and the magic mallet that brings you anything you want. The shippo pattern (found on the sail) was considered to be sacred and lucky (representing the 7 treasurers of Buddhism). The pine motifs throughout the piece represent happiness and good luck and longevity. The broom sweeps away bad fortune and protects against evil.
Japanese Embroidery Lecture
Last September, Chapter member Christene Thurston shared her journey and progress through the different phases of Traditional Japanese Embroidery. Christene talked about this beautiful stitching technique that originated more than 1600 years ago. She also had some of the pieces that she has completed over the past six years for show and tell.
Attendees heard about the fabrics, threads, and tools that are specific to Japanese Embroidery and learned about its history and transformation into the twentieth century.
Christene was recently awarded EGA’s Mary-Dick Digges Scholarship for her work in Japanese Embroidery.
William Morris Sunflower II
This needlepoint pillow was stitched by Helen O’Connor. It comes from the Beth Russell needlepoint Collection. It is stitched in Appleton crewel wools on canvas. It is a follow-up to Sunflower I.
Turtle Wall Hanging
This piece was stitched by Helen O’Connor. The designer of this piece is JP. She stitched it in Paternayan Persian wools and used Kreinik Metal threads for the gold elements. The piece is padded and backed and sits on an Asian type wall hanger.
Ancestree GCC
Several of our chapter members recently participated in the EGA GCC Ancestree by Carolyn Standing Webb. Ancestree is a study in blackwork techniques.
On the left is Fran Roscello’s completed version of Ancestree. In the center is Terry Case’s completed version and on the right is Jenni Paperman’s completed version.
Seven Symmetries Sampler
Designed by Jennifer Paperman, Donna Logan, Mary Roylance, and Ginger Iorizzo
On April 17, 2021, Diane Herrmann gave a lecture to the EGA Metropolitan Region entitled
“Seven Symmetries: (Mathematics!) and Border Patterns.” When designing a band or a border
of repeating motifs, there are only seven ways of changing the orientation of the motif, hence
the name of the lecture. At the end of her lecture, Diane shared her Snowman Symmetry
sampler consisting of seven motifs, one for each of the seven symmetries. Diane challenged the
attendees to design their own sampler, using motifs from their region or chapter. Diane
mentioned that although she has given the lecture many times, no one had ever met her
challenge. Members of the New York Capital District Chapter rose to the occasion and designed
a Seven Symmetries sampler. Ginger Iorizzo stitched their design.
Diane Herrmann was thrilled that an EGA chapter finally met the challenge! The New York
Capital District Chapter’s sampler will be featured in future lectures she gives.