DIY: Tattoo Shirt Project - Introducing Tambour

I got my hands on this embroidery needle the other day and I've been working non-stop with them.

These needles, called Tambour needles, are used in Haute Couture and it makes it easier for the craftsmen embroidering large amount of fabric. I first encountered this item from Sofia Salazar's (@__hiedra__) posts on instagram. I have been lurking in the embroidery community of instagram and noticed a few other people using this needle as well and wanted to give it a try. Theres only one shop in Tokyo that handles tambour needles so I had some struggle, but I was able to get them in the end.  You should be able to find a lot of information in tambour stitching on the internet especially in English (or French which is where it's from!).

You need a few practice to get used to it, but once you do get the hang of it, it's so much easier to stitch this way.

And this is the finished piece! It's from this sketch I did of my boyfriend.  I love it because it's done in one stroke. Also the simplicity of the stitch really works with the visuals. 

I would say you can't use this needle in any kind of situation because this needle generally lets you produce chain stitches. I think the chain stitch has a distinct feel to it, mainly in good ways. The minimal look it gives off is very distinct from satin stitch (is this the correct term? I usually prefer to use this stitching method). Because of its feel, it might not stick with some works I want to create for this project. But it's definitely a fast way to get your design on a piece of cloth and it works for mass production by hand. 

Maria

Side Story:

Below is a photo of an embroidery piece I left behind because I got so tired of it. I'm keen to go back to it now though!

Wandering Kimono and Other Things

I went strolling around the city on New Year's Eve and Day. This is one of the few days the streets gets cleared of people returning to their hometowns for the holidays. A great chance to photograph my outfit at. Few days before this, I received a package in the mail and it was these beautiful handcrafted pair of shoes I bought off a second hand store. They are generally known in Japan as "Jika Tabi" (Tabi boots). They are traditional shoes in Japan but you might have heard about them from these Maison Margiela boots. Just that these pair that I got where made from leather. I've never seen anything like this living in Japan. 

Tabi Boots

So much easier to take photos when theres no one looking at you like you're breaking the law. 

I also hung out in Shibuya on Jan 1st, and was amazed by the crowd. There tends to be larger crowds on holiday in this part of the city, but the place seemed to be visited mainly by tourists, and not a single Japanese soul was to be witnessed. (Except for the workers.) It was a weird atmosphere. You would eavesdrop the couple sitting next to you, the group that passes you by, and no one seems to be speaking Japanese. 

Empty Stations

So excited for the New Year. I have a lot of things in mind I want to accomplish, but first, finals!


Maria