Step 4 - marking 42 centers (the last step!)

In Step 3, you added the remaining support lines to your 42 centers temari and you tacked the centers of the C10 diamonds.

Next, check the little triangles. Remember the little triangles? There should still be a pin in the middle of each one. Move that pin around until the lines are crossing through the center. Sometimes, the triangles will look OK; sometimes you'll want to move the pin up or down or sideways just a bit. Just make them the best that you can. Don't fret if some triangles are a little flat or crooked. In the grand scheme of things, you'll hardly see this when you're done. Do this for all the triangles on the ball.

Next, look at the new little hexagons and pentagons. Do the shapes look even? If you have taken care of every little triangle, then the hexagons should look just about perfect. Tack at each pin, removing it from the ball as you go. When you've finished tacking, your marking is complete.

            

There are 12 small pentagons and 30 small hexagons on this temari with 42 faces. On a 42 faces temari (and all diamond-side based markings), the small pentagons will always line up flat side to flat side. There is one hexagon between the small pentagons. If the small pentagons line up with points facing each other, it is a triangle-side based marking.

42 centers marking complete

Measuring: when I am making a very large temari - say 50cm circumference or so - I do more measuring before adding the support lines. In that case, I'd measure for the diamond centers and check the length of the long lines and short lines. Place a pin in the center to mark the "sweet spot" and then add the wraps. I've noticed that with bigger shapes, I'm not so good at accurately judging that distance by eye. My rule of thumb is to measure when I must! Only then.

So, now the big question: what can you do with it? Well, I might just put it on the shelf and admire it just the way it is! If you want to stitch on it, here are a few suggestions.

This temari is stitched with
 interlocking pentagons and hexagons.
You can do this same design
on 32 centers or 42 centers.

The pattern for this 42 centers
 temari is in my Etsy shop.

Continue adding support lines using the
multiple of 3 method.

I have compiled the directions from this stitch along into one pdf. If you would like a copy to save to your computer, send me an email. Include a photograph of your marked temari along with permission to publish it to my blog here. I'll reply to you with a copy of these directions that you can save to your computer or print and file in your temari notebook. I'd love to see your marked temari and stitched ones as well! Send to BarbSuess@gmail.com

I hope you enjoyed this stitch along!

If you have any questions, please join the conversation on TemariChallenge Yahoo group.

References:

Shapes on a C10 division

Multicenters markings

Step 3 - mark 42 centers

It's time to add the remaining guidelines for this 42 centers marking.

Above is a drawing of the temari with the pins in place. A 4-part diamond is highlighted. Your ball should like this now. 

Cut a long length of marking thread. Bring it up at a diamond center as shown in the above drawing. 

Note: keep an eye on the threads crossing at the diamond center to make sure they remain in the center of the diamond. Just do this by eye. 

Wrap a path around the ball that passes through the pentagons. Lay the thread to the OUTSIDE of the pins (relative to the pentagon center). Notice how the path is curvy, not straight like the wraps through the diamonds. You will end up back where you started. 

Pivot to make another wrap - you can place a pin in the diamond center for this purpose. Wrap all the way around the ball passing by the pins as before. When you get back to where you began, you can tack. That intersection is complete and you can tack all threads crossing there and remove the pin.

Continue adding wraps until each diamond center has a 12-way center. As you complete each 12-way center, tack the threads that meet there. These are the centers of the new little hexagons when all marking is complete. 

The last step is to adjust the shapes by eye and do the final tacking. I'll posts those directions in a few days.

If you have any questions, please join the conversation on TemariChallenge Yahoo group.

References:

Shapes on a C10 division

Multicenters markings

Schedule of posts for this stitch along:
Step 1 on December 11 - first wraps
Step 2 on December 14 - pin placement
Step 3 on December 16 - last set of wraps
Step 4 on December 18 - adjust and tack. Suggestions for designs.

Step 2 - marking 42 centers

Taking care of the little triangles (OR placing pins in the sides of the diamonds) 

Pins in place for wrapping for 42 centers.

Remember that I said in my previous post that this 42 centers marking is based on the side of the diamond. Well, it is. You need to place those blue pins (above drawing) in the ball. Yes, sorry, you really do need more pins! Each pin is located at the halfway point along the diamond side. In the past, I would measure the length of that line with my V ruler, divide by 2, and place the pin there. BUT, when I added the thread for the support lines, I noticed that there was always a lot of adjusting to be done. The hexagons that formed were not even on all sides - they were flattened. The pentagons were a bit too large. And it was more that just a pin width so I knew the pin position was not the problem. I realized that I needed to rethink this process and I came up with "taking care of the little triangles." I used to do this after all the measuring by moving the pins. But now I do it as the next step.

Focus on a small triangle. Notice that it has one line through the middle.

1. Right now, your triangle looks like this.
2. Place a pin by eye where you judge the center to be. You can always move this pin later so don't worry about it. Just try to get close.
3. When the pin is in place in the center of the little triangle, it looks like this.
4. After you add wraps in the next steps, your little triangle will look like this.

So now, go ahead and put all the blue pins in the ball.

The next step is to add the remaining guidelines. I'll post that in a few days.

If you have any questions, please join the conversation on TemariChallenge Yahoo group.

References:

Shapes on a C10 division

Multicenters markings

Schedule of posts for this stitch along:
Step 1 on December 11 - first wraps
Step 2 on December 14 - pin placement
Step 3 on December 16 - last set of wraps
Step 4 on December 18 - adjust and tack. Suggestions for designs.

Step 1 - marking 42 centers

*** When this stitch along is over, I will offer to send you a pdf of the directions that you can save on your computer or print to file in your temari notebook. Will trade for a photo of your marked ball to publish on my blog. So keep busy! ***

Is your C10 temari marked (the best that you can)? Are the pentagon centers tacked? Then you are ready to begin adding support lines.

Step 1 - add wraps through the diamond centers

Cut a long length of marking thread and bring up at a diamond center. Wrap all the way around the ball in a straight line, passing through the diamond centers. When you get back to where you started, pivot (place a pin there for this purpose) and wrap in the other direction. End off. Don’t tack the diamond center just yet.

Ugh! Do you feel like you have too many pins in the ball? At this point, you have a pin in each triangle center (if you followed my suggestion from the ball prep step) and a pin in each diamond center. When I use the small head pins (size 17), I push them down to the surface of the ball and am not bothered. But if all those pins are giving you fits, then go ahead and tack, removing the pins as you go. When you add more wraps through those spots in the next steps, either stitch under your tacking stitches or wrap over them and tack again. With thin thread like Treasure Braid Petite, you can do either one. Remember that stitching temari is all about choosing YOUR favorite way so you enjoy the process.

Repeat through all diamond centers.  You’ll tack the diamond centers after adding more lines in the next steps.

The lines you've just added are dashed lines in the drawing above.


If you have any questions, please join the conversation on TemariChallenge Yahoo group.

References:

Shapes on a C10 division

Multicenters markings

Schedule of posts for this stitch along:
Step 1 on December 11 - first wraps
Step 2 on December 14 - pin placement
Step 3 on December 16 - last set of wraps
Step 4 on December 18 - adjust and tack. Suggestions for designs.

Work in progress - from the JTA curriculum

Temari from the JTA curriculum (Level 4)
stitched by Barbara B. Suess
Work in Progress

Another work in progress - I'm continuing to stitch the Level 4 (Master) temari from the JTA curriculum. Level 4 is the top one so I expect these designs to be really challenging.This one has 122 faces. So that's why I marked 42 faces this weekend! When that was complete, I used the multiple of three method to further divide to 122.

Anyway, the white stitching is done (although I now see a few corrections so I'll be ripping and restitching). These are continuous tri-wings that are interlocked at the center. Yes - you really can stitch these continuous paths on 122 centers and it all works perfectly. In other words, I got back to where I began with each path. Combine a lot (!!!) of paths and the tri-wing design is complete.

The next step is puzzling. I'm getting there - almost have it. Send me courage! Patience and persistence also required to figure out these massive designs! Well, not massive, the ball is only 32cm circumference, stitched with 3 strands of floss. Just very intricate.

☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆*:.｡.o(≧▽≦)o.｡.:*☆

JTA Levels of Certification
Level 1 - Beginner
Level 2 - Advanced
Level 3- Instructor
Level 4 - Master

A temari stitch along - right here! Mark 42 centers from a C10 - my favorite way

A temari stitched with interlocking
pentagons and hexagons

Update Wednesday morning: when this stitch along is over, I will offer to send you a pdf of the directions that you can save on your computer or print. Will trade for a photo of your marked ball to publish on my blog. So keep busy!

Last weekend, I marked a ball with 42 centers and finally took the time to figure out my favorite way. Like most things in the craft of temari, there are several ways to get to the same end point. When I teach classes, I like to point out my favorite way of making temari and also give alternatives. For instance, when wrapping the ball with thread, do you wrap over the top and away from your body or up from the bottom and towards yourself? Either way works!

This method of marking 42 centers requires no measuring. That's right! You'll use your eye, not your tape measure. 42 centers is the first of the multis that is based on the C10 diamond. When all is done, you will have added more guidelines that cut through the sides of the diamonds at their halfway points. Over the next week, I'll be posting the steps for my favorite method. Today is the prep so get ready!

Gather your supplies:

30 - 35cm circumference ball wrapped in a color of your choice. Make the final layer of thread wrap fairly thick and randomly wrapped. You'll be making a lot of stitches and placing a lot of pins into the ball and you want them to stay in place. Mark a combination 10 division.  Do your best! Measure everything to make sure. I like to measure the long lines of each C10 triangle, one triangle at a time. I place a pin in the center of the triangle and measure the long lines that go out to the corners. I often have to adjust the placement of the pin just a bit to center it. When I know I'm going to continue adding support lines, I do not tack at the triangle center right away. I'll leave the pin in place  and tack when I've changed that 6-way intersection into a 12-way intersection with the support lines. Go ahead and tack the 10-way intersections at the centers of the pentagons.

Guideline thread - your favorite thread in a color of your choice. For multicenters markings, I prefer a thinner metallic like Treasure Braid Petite by Rainbow Gallery. #12 pearl cotton is also good if you prefer cotton. If this is your first attempt at marking 42 centers, use one color for the C10 marking and another color for the support lines you'll add. BTW, "support lines" are any lines you add after the original basic marking like the C10.

Pins. In Step 3, you’ll place pins by eye to keep the threads from rolling off the ball.  For this task, I recommend using pins with small tops (size 17 Dritz). You can buy them in boxes of 100 or 200 pins. This size is my go-to pin for more advanced designs when I've got a lot of marking to do. You can push them down to the surface of the ball and there is less chance of your thread catching on them.

Step 1 - coming in a few days. See you then!

If you have any questions, please join the conversation on TemariChallenge Yahoo group.

References:

Shapes on a C10 division

Multicenters markings

Schedule of posts for this stitch along:
Step 1 on December 11 - first wraps
Step 2 on December 14 - pin placement
Step 3 on December 16 - last set of wraps
Step 4 on December 18 - adjust and tack. Suggestions for designs.

Rendezvous with Rama?

I like to listen to audio books while stitching and I've noticed that, even though generally I have a poor memory, when I look at a completed temari, a feeling will wash over me. It's the memory of the book! So this experiment that I'm doing with HHG stitching on multi faces will probably evoke the feeling of being in space, inside a cylinder coming to life as it enters our solar system! Rendezvous with Rama is the classic Arthur C. Clarke novel that I am revisiting while I stitch.

Last week, in class at Campbell Folk School, Pam and Karen asked to learn multi center markings and also to learn the path for HHG stitching. We combined them and they stitched an HHG path on a 92 faces temari they had just marked. I had remembered doing this for my book Temari Techniques - it's "Asters" in the book. I remembered that I couldn't completely fill each face by following the HHG path but couldn't remember exactly what I did to make it work. We experimented a bit and Pam (or was it Karen or maybe both!) discovered a very efficient way to make it work. I diligently made notes and vowed to keep track of this technique.

I know you can completely fill in each shape with herringbone stitches following the HHG path on these markings:
C10
32
122

I know this marking does not work:
92

Now that I'm home, I decided to mark some more multi faces temari and experiment with the HHG path. Although I realize there is no particular design difference in a 272 faces temari vs a 362 faces temari that is covered with HHG stitching, I'm overcome with curiosity! The experiment I did about a year and a half ago is much more valuable for seeing the design differences in various multi faces markings. 

I'll report back on my results when I've returned from my with Rendezvous with Rama.

272 faces marked with Neon Green Maxi Lock thread.
C10 to 32. Then multiple of 3 method (M/3) to 92.
Then M/3 method to 272. 

Beginning the HHG path. So far so good!

362 faces marked with Dual Duty pink thread.
C10 to 42. Then multiple of 3 method (M/3) to 122.
Then M/3 method to 362.

Beginning the HHG path. So far so good!

Part Two - Intricate marking for multi centers

It's time to follow up on my post of a few days ago about marking multicenter temari using the multiple of three method. In the last post, I gave you the steps for making the ball on the left below, beginning with 32 centers. This post is about the ball on the right, beginning with 42 centers. The process is the same.

Multicenter Japanese Temari

What is this multiple of 3 method of marking?

The directions are in the files section of our TemariChallenge group. I am in the process of updating and editing but the changes are small. Have a look at the fourth file on that page - Multiple of 3 Study on TC 2012.

Process

Step 1 - ball is 42 cm in circumference and wrapped with navy Maxi Lock thread. I began by marking a C10 with Maxi Lock Radiant Turquoise. 

Step 2 - continue marking with Radiant Turquoise to create 42 centers. One important point about this step is to try to make the hexagons as regular as you can, so all sides are even. Then use multiple of 3 method to make 122 centers and once more to make 362 centers. All of this is done with the same Radiant Turquoise thread. 

Step 3 - with Sour Apple Maxi Lock thread, continue using the multiple of 3 method and add lines through all the pentagons. Then add one row through each of the green star points. 

Step 4 - stitch the remaining lines with Dark Turquoise Maxi Lock. You now have 1082 centers. 

Impressions

I was really surprised at how these two temari look so different! As far as process, I prefer beginning with 42 centers because stitching with the multiple of 3 method is a bit easier. I could make the two stitches inside each pentagon and then wrap the thread directly to the next pentagon without taking any stitches. This meant I only stitched at each center when that particular 12-way intersection was completed. I'm eager to design with this marking because I see the open areas at the center of the C10 triangles just waiting to be filled with a design of some sort. For the ball beginning with 32 centers, I want to play with color, not adding any extra design stitches on top of the marking. 

I've started my next experiment. I decided to mark the ball with Isacord, a beautiful, shiny, slippery (!) thread used for machine embroidery. I thought it would give some shine to the finished marking and be very elegant. Well, the impact of the extra shine is minimal and I was not able to wrap though any of the shapes because the thread slid around so much! But I persevered and just took a stitch at each intersection. When enough of the intersections had that one stitch, I could just slip my needle under that intersection without stitching. It's looks good and I'll share when I'm finished.

Intricate marking for multicenters

These temari beauties have always intrigued me. A few years ago we studied multicenter temari and the multiple of 3 method of marking in our TemariChallenge Yahoo group. Our inspiration was the book Edo Temari from Japan (pages 70 - 71). 

Now in a new book from Japan, Dream in Temari Four, there is more about this type of marking (pages 52 - 56). I'm so inspired by these new temari that I've pulled out my old notes and have started experimenting again. 

I decided to make two temari, both the same size and to stitch them with the same thread with the same process. I really wanted a clear picture of the finished marking - to see differences and similarities for future designs. I started one with 32 centers and the other with 42 centers; then I continued stitching using the multiple of 3 method to further subdivide the temari. You can see how to mark 32 and 42 centers temari in my book Temari Techniques. Here is the result!

Multicenter temari  - 812 (left) and 1082 centers

Step 1 - each ball is 42 cm in circumference and wrapped with navy Maxi Lock thread. For the first temari (812 centers), I began by marking a C10 with Maxi Lock Radiant Turquoise. Call me crazy but I was at our house on the Pamlico River when I got the urge to begin the project. I didn't have any marking thread that was thin enough - or stitching thread either! Looking at them now, I think it's a good thing. The thread clings to the ball (doesn't roll out of place like pearl cotton) and it's easy to use when stitching. It does tangle now and then but with a little care, it's just fine for this type of work.

Step 2 - continue marking with Radiant Turquoise to create 32 centers, use multiple of 3 method to make 92 and once more to make 272 centers. All of this is done with the same Radiant Turquoise thread. 

Step 3 - with Sour Apple Maxi Lock thread, continue using the multiple of 3 method and add lines through all the pentagons. Then add one row through each of the green star points. 

Step 4 - stitch the remaining lines with Dark Turquoise Maxi Lock. You now have 812 centers. 

Here are some pictures I took with my iPad while I was stitching. 

812 centers temari with the pentagon facing front

812 centers temari with a hexagon facing front

I'm already getting lots of design ideas for what to do next! I'll write more on the process for beginning with 42 centers another day. 

Here is a chart from Dream in Temari Four. It shows the number of centers created from different starting points. This is a really handy reference to keep!

32	92	272	812	2432	7292	21872
42	122	362	1082	3242	9722	29162
162	482	1442	4322	12962
252	752	2252	6752

Online Temari Class - Grandmother Star

At long last, I've got time to get back to teaching online! I hope you'll be able to join me in making Grandmother Star, a floral design stitched on 32 centers. This class was requested by several people recently so we'll start with this multicenters beauty.

Registration is open now. It closes Friday, January 6, 2012. Kits will be mailed by January 27, 2012 (by Priority to US or by First Class to Canada or by First Class to all other countries). Class begins Friday, February 3, 2012.

If you took this class from me before, please ask for the audit price (no kit).

Visit the class webpage to sign up

Grandmother's Hydrangeas on Temari

It's a cloudy day in Raleigh, but I am forging ahead and photographing more temari for my etsy shop. 

Grandmother's Hydrangeas Temari by Barbara B. Suess

Japanese Temari on Etsy.com

Harvest Moon Japanese Temari

Harvest Moon
Japanese Temari by Barbara B. Suess

Yesterday, cherry blossoms

Tomorrow, red maple leaves –

Today's moon. (Buson)

In Japan, a full moon symbolizes autumn, just as cherry blossoms signify spring, and snow is the sign of winter. 

Moon viewing parties introduced from China celebrate the full moon of mid-autumn. Offerings of thanks for a good harvest are set upon a small table facing east. A display of autumn grasses sets off a pyramid of balls made especially for the season from rice flour, or a careful arrangement of melons or other harvest fruits. This is a time to gaze at the moon, sip green tea, and reflect upon the wonders of nature.

Harvest Moon is a large 42 centimeter diameter temari wrapped with soft yarn and dark red thread around a five inch diameter Styrofoam core.  It was marked with fine gold metallic thread into 272 centers. Bamboo-colored perle cotton was wrapped over the marking lines. Triwings were stitched in blue, green, and red perle cotton. Small hexagons were then stitched around each center.

To display this work, a black stand purchased at the museum shop of the Japan Temari Association in Tokyo is included. Also included are a history of temari and a description of this particular temari, signed by the artist.

Shipping is by priority mail to US locations and is included in the price. If you are located outside the US, I will send you an invoice for the extra postage needed to send Harvest Moon to you.

Visit the shop page for this temari

Moonlight Temari

Moonlight
Japanese Temari by Barbara B. Suess

A fellow temari stitcher recently wanted feedback on her stitching and reminded me of how nice it is to be inspired by haiku, like in my first book, Japanese Temari, A Colorful Spin on an Ancient Craft. She shared one she did with the moon as her topic. Got me going! I love reading through my haiku books and picked out this one by Issa.

Snowflakes fall
In twos and threes
A splendid moonlight night.

I stitched a temari that's tone on tone. 32 faces filled with layered kiku herringbone designs. Stitched with Vineyard Silk and Rainbow Gallery metallics. This one will be for sale very soon. 

And here's a variation in hot pink silk

Moonlight Temari Pink Variation
by Barbara B. Suess

Part 2 - April Temari Challenge - 20 Faces to Fill

Quick post today. This is a follow up on the challenge 20 faces marking sampler going on in TemariChallenge Yahoo group. 

Here are a couple of photographs of the temari I stitched with this marking:

Variety of herringbone designs stitch on 20-faces temari

April TemariChallenge - 20 Faces to Fill

Marking a combination division temari is often daunting to beginners. But after stitching a simple division temari, with one design on the north pole and one design on the south pole, the next challenge is to mark a temari that has more than two faces. There is an easy way to skip ahead to marking multiple faces on the ball without going the route to the combination divisions.

20 Faces Special Marking Temari

There are many ways to add support lines to further divide the ball. I'm leading the April challenge in our TemariChallenge Yahoo group to share how to turn a simple 12-division into a temari with 20 faces.

I hope you can join us!