Eight Bridges (Yatsuhashi) done thanks to TemariChallenge!

Thanks to friends on TemariChallenge Yahoo group who stitched a difficult design with me!

Yatsuhashi (Eight Bridges) is one of the designs required for Level 3 (Shihan) certification in the Japan Temari Association curriculum. It's a combination 8 division ball that is covered with stitched threads, an all-over design. There are two different continuous paths that are stitched in a layered fashion. You use doubled thread and have the challenge of needing to work some stitches with your needle turned at angle that is a bit different from normal. All these techniques combine to make this a very challenging design!

This design is from the Japanese book Temari from Different Parts of Japan (Zoku Kyodo no Temari) by Chiyoko Ozaki, ISBN 4-8377-0990-7.

I tried it first with #5 pearl cotton thread and was not happy with the result. While not bad, I didn't like the way the threads piled up so high between keeper pins - unruly thread, rolling this way and that! These are the traditional colors with purple representing irises and the red-yellow progression representing the bridges. The story behind this design is truly fascinating! That's one of the things I love about studying temari - I also learn a bit about Japanese culture and history.

This past weekend I headed to my local needlework shop and found this lovely palette of Vineyard silk. Perfect! Now, I feel that I have truly mastered this design.

Yatsuhashi by Barbara B. Suess

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

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

Adorable kokeshi with temari. Alas! I have too many!

Can you help me downsize my throng of dolls? Check out my Etsy shop where these gals are waiting patiently for new homes.

Kokeshi with temari in the collection of Barbara B. Suess
www.etsy.com/shop/JapaneseTemari

SPOOKY temari for Halloween

SPOOKY temari for Halloween

Mariana Nelson, an artist with a passion

Last week, my good friend and temari buddy Kathy H. sent me a link to this artist's work. I am amazed! Astounded! Kathy and I are reeling, brain-storming about our own projects that could be inspired by this work.

Art by Mariana Nelson

Six temari sent to JTA

I sent these six temari to the JTA for my Level 4 (Master) certification application.

Top row from left: Double Star, Snowflakes, Mermaids' Tea Party

Botttom row from left: Grandmother's Garden, Woven Stars, Flower Basket

Japanese Temari for JTA Level 4 by Barbara B. Suess

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

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

Continuous path stitching is our next lesson

Lesson 8 in JTA course for Level 2.

Continuous line stitching (renzoku) is the technique of stitching several paths around the ball. With each path, you end up back to where you started. Several of these paths combine to complete the design. To demonstrate this technique to students, I designed a new temari with continuous path stitching and a new palette of threads called Lantana. The palette will be available in my Etsy.com shop soon.

Lesson 8 in Level 2 JTA course is all about continuous line stitching.

Light in your photos

Morning light coming through an east window makes this temari glow!

"Christmas Puzzle" temari by Barbara B. Suess

My model is not too sure about this てまり

 I'm working on "Eight Bridges" with our TemariChallenge Yahoo group. Finished Step 1 and asked Zoe to pose. She is acting nonchalant but I think she really just wants to go back to sleep!

Zoe being patient with her mama.

Pineapple temari!

"Pineapple" temari by Barbara B. Suess

Sunflowers for autumn

Temari class available on DVD
https://www.etsy.com/listing/115208767/temari-class-sunflowers-two-dvds

Split the coloring on your kiku herringbone designs for a dramatic result

I've been sorting through my photos and organizing. Can you tell? There are so many that I'd like to revisit so will be posting them here for you to enjoy. Perhaps they will inspire your own temari stitching.

When stitching a kiku herringbone design, you can change colors part way through the row. Either end off and begin again with the new color. Or stitch underground to come up near where you will use the same color again. With this technique, you can use two needles, one for each color.

Kiku herringbone stitched with two colors in a temari
by Barbara B. Suess

Kiku herringbone stitched with two colors in a temari
by Barbara B. Suess

The Language of Temari

Hi!

I'm sure you noticed that English is my native language. When stitching temari, I like to use English words that are translations of the Japanese terms given to us by the Japan Temari Association. There is a good reason for that. Ease of communication promotes learning, discovery, and creativity. Since many of you are probably not familiar with the evolution of temari terms in English, I thought it would be interesting for you to read my experience from the last 15 years of stitching. I've written two web pages on this topic.

The Language of Temari

http://www.japanesetemari.com/The%20Language%20of%20Temari.html

and

The story behind "kiku herringbone stitching"

http://www.japanesetemari.com/kiku.herringbone.stitching.temari.html

The glossary that I compiled was edited and approved by our JTA advisor and mentor. This morning I confirmed with her that they are not asking or requiring us to use terms in Japanese for teaching the JTA curriculum or in presentations of work to be considered for certification. If you find a teacher who demands this, well, you should speak (or write) in Japanese when communicating with that teacher. However, I do not require you speak Japanese and the JTA does not require it either. English is totally acceptable.

I hope you enjoy the back story! I'll be adding more stories about the stitches in the coming weeks. I'll be happy to discuss this topic with anyone who has questions.

Barb

Displaying your temari - another way

Another way to display your temari is in a group made in similar colors with similar designs.
These are stitched with a kiku herringbone using the HHG path.

Displaying Temari

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!

I'm still on a "temari high" from a week at Campbell

Do you follow my Facebook page? I managed to upload photos from the temari class at Campbell Folk School while we were there. And I also put some more temari pictures on my other page - please send me a friend request!

The staff has expanded the wifi connection to the fiber arts studio so I was able to connect to the internet from the classroom. A big step! Thanks, Folk School!!

Dana Watson and I had 12 very talented students. And enthusiastic! They stitched every evening and made great progress in learning lots of new techniques. The philosophy at the school is non-competitive. It's not a place to focus on production and finished lots of pieces. It's a place to learn and when you have that concept down, it's time to move on to something else. This means a students can learn a simple 8 division, wrapped bands, herringbone stitching and pine needles on the first day. Then on day two, learn a simple 10 division, stitch a 5-point star, wrap an obi, and more pine needles with variation. On day 3, it's time for a simple 12 division and the kiku herringbone stitch with starting and stopping point variation. Guess what? Day 4 is for combination divisions! C8 and C10 divisions were tried successfully by many students who arrived on Sunday night without any knowledge of temari making!

Students who came in with temari experience were able to jump to multi faces markings with HHG stitching. Hooray - they did great! Thanks so much to all the students and the the Folk School.

Here are just a few of the photos I took.

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Temari by student of Barbara B. Suess

Lesson 7 in both temari courses - Level 1 and Level 2

Here they are! Our next set of temari classes begins on October 1.

Here is the temari for Lesson 7 in Level 1 - the next set of lessons in our temari courses. We are exploring changing up the kiku herringbone design by varying the placement of inside points and outside points. You can get some really fantastic designs!

And here is the temari for Lesson 7 in Level 2. Techniques included are interlocked wrapped bands on a combination 8 division with flax leaf (asa no ha) stitching on top. 

Join us? http://www.japanesetemari.com/Japan-Temari-Association.html

Kate Gaunt writes about our upcoming courses

A new and continuing opportunity for Temari enthusiasts:  Japan Temari Association Curriculum/Classes from Barbara Suess.  Part 2 classes begin October 1 and continue through March 31, 2016.  (Note:  Class will be on hiatus during December to allow time for family and holidays.)
Have you admired those beautiful thread-wrapped and stitched balls known as temari?  These wonderful stitched orbs can be easy to do -- especially with the guidance of one of the authorities in the field.  I'm pleased to announce that Barbara Suess will be teaching a NEW series of courses in temari based on a curriculum developed by the Japan Temari Association.  There are two levels, Level 1 and Level 2 and each level is broken into two parts.  This email pertains to the Part 2 sessions of each level.  (You can sign up for part 2 even if you didn't do part 1 - you just need to meet the prerequisites.  See further in this document for more details.)

In January of 2015, the Japan Temari Association (JTA) introduced a curriculum for international study that is based on the same curriculum taught in Japan by JTA certified teachers and masters.  This exciting opportunity inspired Barb to begin teaching this same curriculum in her online courses.  While successful completion of these courses can lead to application for JTA certification by Barb's students, you can also participate just for the pleasure of learning to make temari with patterns provided by the JTA masters.  You do not have to join the JTA or apply for certification when you take these courses; however, some of you will find temari so addictive that you will likely want to join and apply and these courses will provide an excellent basis for your certification application.  I've attached a picture of the type of projects you will learn in these classes.

Barb has divided the coursework into two levels and each level consists of two six-month courses.  There are LOTS of details for this new course curriculum and Barb has created several web pages to describe the new courses here:
http://www.japanesetemari.com/Japan-Temari-Association.html
Since this is brand new, Barb has anticipated some of the questions you might have and has a summary here:
http://www.japanesetemari.com/classes/jta/FAQ.JTAcourses.html

The second parts of both Level 1 and Level 2 begin on October 1 and run through March 31 with the month of December off.  Since we know everyone works at different rates, you may join the course in progress.  (You can even still sign up for part 1 of either level, if you're quick.)  The courses are progressive and each builds on skills developed in the earlier classes.  The required text for all the classes is Temari Techniques, which is available from Barb if you don't already have a copy.  Since many interested students will likely already have some temari supplies, there is no supplied kit.  If you do need supplies, Barb has an etsy store to make as-you-go shopping easy and affordable.
Barb will provide lots of personal feedback as you progress through the lessons.  Think of her as a coach, guide and mentor as she shares her expertise and love for this traditional art.

Yes, we know that October 1 is just around the corner.  We needed to get started so that those who wanted to apply for certification could get their submissions done in time.  There is plenty of time during the six months of each class to complete the work and it's not a concern if you join late.  You know how much time you can dedicate to the class -- whether it's a matter of so many hours per week or a concentrated period of time in your life -- the perfect cure for the winter doldrums. 

Students participating in the part 1 session of each level have progressed wonderfully through the lessons.  They have shared photos and created LOTS of temari.  It really feels like Barb is there coaching right beside you and her feedback is extremely prompt.  If you're unsure about where you might fit in with your temari skills, look through the FAQ page here:
http://www.japanesetemari.com/classes/jta/FAQ.JTAcourses.html
and if you're still unsure, send Barb an email at:   barb@japanesetemari.com

So, are you ready to accept the challenge and learn temari based on a really well-organized series of lessons?  If so, we hope you'll join Barb as she begins this new approach to temari classes.  If you have any questions, there are links to contact Barb via the web page links above, or just send an email to:

So, are you ready to accept the challenge and learn temari based on a really well-organized series of lessons?  If so, we hope you'll join Barb as she begins this new approach to temari classes.  If you have any questions, there are links to contact Barb via the web page links above, or just send an email to: barb@japanesetemari.com 

We hope you will enjoy this latest class offering from Shining Needle Society!
Kate GauntShining Needle Societykategaunt@aol.com 

JTA courses are getting great reviews!

I'm so pleased with the response from students who are participating in my Level 1 and Level 2 JTA courses. Last winter, the Japan Temari Association gave us a new curriculum to follow for certification at four levels. I've been running online courses and will be uploading Lesson 6 tomorrow. There is still time to join this class if you'd like. Save the lessons to your computer and work on them at your own pace. Remember that applying for certification is optional. Many students take the courses for their own stitching pleasure without the certification option. The Yahoo group for the class closes on October 31.

The next session, a group of six more lessons, begins October 1 with Lesson 7. You can sign up on my website by clicking through the Paypal link for the course.

JTA Level 1 Course

October 1 - Lesson 7

Kiku herringbone stitching (uwagake chidori kagari) - vary the flower by making petals longer or shorter and change their starting and stopping points.

October 23 - Lesson 8

Triwing (mitsubane kikkou) - a fun puzzle stitched on a simple 6 division.

November 20 - Lesson 9

Merry-go-round (jyouge douji kagari) - (just like it sounds) work this one up and down and around the ball.

January 1 - Lesson 10

Interlocked/layered (nejiri/kousa) - practice changing the look of designs you’ve made before, by weaving to interlock or stitching row by row to layer.

February 5 - Lesson 11

Mark a C8 and stitch a simple design. This lesson includes a video on marking. Wrap bands next to the guidelines for a quick finish.

March 4 - Lesson 12

Mark a C10 and stitch a simple design - also includes a video and gives you several options for marking a ball covered with 12 pentagons nested side-by-side. Fill each pentagon with the 5-point star learned in lesson 4.

March 31 (or around that time) - new JTA members fill out an application and pay dues.

April 31 - deadline for submitting photos of four temari to send to JTA.

JTA Level 2 Course

October 1 - Lesson 7

Flax leaf (asa no ha kagari) on various divisions

October 23 - Lesson 8

Continuous path stitching (renzoku kagari) on various divisions

November 20 - Lesson 9

Thimble ring design (yubinuki)

January 1 - Lesson 10

Interlocked stitching (nejiri kagari) on C8 and C10

February 5 - Lesson 11

Layered stitching (kousa kagari) on C8 and C10

March 4 - Lesson 12

HHG (hitohudegake) on various divisions

March 31 (or around that time) - new JTA members fill out an application and pay dues.

April 31 - deadline for submitting six patterns to send to JTA.

Looking for temari classes? Or looking for temari students?

It's that time of year when people are looking to take classes - maybe because it's time for the school year to start? Anyway, I'd like to update the teachers' page on my website

http://www.japanesetemari.com/TemariTeachers.html

If you'd like to be added to the list or have changes to make, please let me know. I'll be happy to help! Send an email to me barb@japanesetemari.com

AND if your are a temari teacher, send me details of your classes that I can copy and paste into my next email. With almost 800 subscribers, I hope to help you reach some new students!