So, my road to recovery continues, with the help of my old passion for sewing and my new interest in running…or trying to run!
I’m still following the C25K programme, and start week 4 tomorrow… Yes, the first 3 weeks don’t appear challenging at all to fit people, sporty people… I was stunned to find how hard it was, when I timed myself, to run for more than a minute. Now I can run for 3 minutes, and in fact ran for 5.5 minutes the other day. Now, I have to confess that I don’ run fast, nor far! I’m focussing on the time… So, I don’t push myself to go a long way, but to keep going for the required amount time. So far, I love it, despite the temperature not yet reaching above zero once! It is unbelievably, bitingly cold, but very, very beautiful… I’ve yet to be challenged by rain, and don’t think I can be persuaded to go out in the rain, to run, but we’ll see because the forecast next week isn’t so great…
As for sewing, my oldest passion… It continues to heal me and to give me so much joy, and I love that I’m able to pass on this joy to the people I’m currently teaching… I’ve been devising a new course… An “Advanced Beginners” course, building on the first lessons with new, more complex skills. I love trying out new ideas, creating patterns, coming up with better ways of doing things. I still need to find time for my own creativity, for developing my on ideas.
I’ve been doing some Sashiko because that is included on one of the holidays I offer,and I wanted to make something fun and useable incorporating this skill. So, I’m making a navy cotton jersey scarf – have started to! – which features a very traditional Japanese geometric pattern, but also simple running stitches. I’ve so many ideas now, for things to make I don’t know where to start! Sashiko originated in Japan and was originally used both for mending clothes and adding warmth to them, too. It was used to extend the life of clothing, which was very precious – they were patched together with running stitch, most often in white on indigo-dyed fabrics. Holes were sewn up using this method, layers were sewn together for warmth; it was as far from today’s “Fast Fashion culture as you can imagine. It’s also very appropriate for me right now… I feel worn out and worn down, and in need of mending!
“Sashiko was a crucial part of a mending technique called boro. Boro means “tattered rags” in Japanese. Boro textiles look like color studies: multiple shades of indigo fabric are patched or quilted neatly together with sashiko stitches, covering holes and reinforcing worn areas.”
Kat Siddle, Seamwork Magazine