Quilting Design #10 – Sashiko Shell
For Design #10, I’m quilting Sashiko Shell. When I first got started quilting, I loved Sashiko, or Japanese style quilting. Sashiko is different from the typical quilting you see in America because the emphasis is on the quilting stitches. Instead of hiding stitches in the ditch, Sashiko stitches contrast with the fabric color. They are definitely stitched to show!
Today’s free motion filler stitch was inspired by a traditional Sashiko quilting stitch:
In Sashiko quilts, stitches are usually 1″ or more apart, so fillers are usually not stitched this densely. Because it’s so tight, you don’t have to perfectly space and stitch it like traditional Sashiko. This gives the filler a more organic look, almost like rattlesnake skin!
Difficulty Level – Beginner. Keep your shapes as consistent or inconsistent as you want. It really doesn’t matter with this filler because it all receeds into the background.
Design Family – Stacking.
Directional Texture – No directions. This is a background filler like stippling or pebbling. There’s nothing much for your eyes to catch on, so this would be a terrific filler to place where you don’t want a lot of movement or distraction.
Suggestions for Use – Backgrounds can be easily filled with this stitch! Other uses include rattlesnake skin, centers of flowers, and small tight areas that just need a little stitching to finish off, like the insides of Celtic knots.
Feel free to use this free motion filler designs in your quilts and Click here to support the project by visiting our online quilt shop.
Let’s go Quilt!
Leah Day
