This week I am trying something new and foreign in my embroidery work..............

and I really mean foreign.............

I want to learn the Japanese art of making

these beautiful embroidered balls known as

Temari.

 

Temari balls are a folk art form that originated in China and was introduced to Japan around the 7th century A.D. "Temari" means "hand ball" in Japanese.

The stitches and the colors are endless.

Temari are highly valued and cherished gifts, symbolizing deep friendship and loyalty. Also, the brilliant colors and threads used are symbolic of wishing the recipient a brilliant and happy life. Traditionally, becoming a craftsman in Japan was a tedious process. Becoming a temari artist in Japan today requires specific training, and one must be tested on one's skills and technique before being acknowledged as a crafter of temari.

Traditionally, temari were often given to children from their parents on New Year's Day. Inside the tightly wrapped layers of each ball, the mother would have placed a small piece of paper with a goodwill wish for her child. The child would never be told what wish his or her mother had made while making the ball.

Alternately, some balls contained "noisemakers" consisting of rice grains or bells to add to the play value. It is said that traditional temari were wrapped so tightly they would bounce.

 

I have spent time watching many videos and I have researched countless books on the subject. One name seemed to stand out when it comes to great teaching of this art and that is the name of Diana Vandervoort. It seems that her books are easy to follow and understand. I chose this book and it just arrived today.

Although Styrofoam balls are used in many of these balls, I also learned that balls made of yarn are easier to stitch on. So I decided to give it a try.

Once the yarn ball is made, sewing thread of your color choice is used to wrap around the ball until it is completely covered.

The ball is then marked and measured with pins and then with string guidelines.

This is as far as I have gotten. I will show more as I learn along the way.

How about you?

Have you heard of this beautiful art form?

Have you created Temari balls?

I would love to hear.............and see!