Make Your Own Kogin Tree – A Review
November 22, 2023
Hi!
It’s time for a new review of a fun course I have just finished, and this “Make Your Own Kogin Tree” course is a nice quick one that’s perfect for Christmas (and especially suited for those that enjoy counted cross stitching!)
According to teachers Shannon and Jason, Kogin-zashi is a type of traditional sashiko stitching from Japan, and the motifs they have designed for this series of three Christmas trees are just gorgeous, and they all stitch out really nicely.
This 90 minute course from Creative Spark is really easy to follow, and the techniques and hints and tips are all explained really clearly. There was a good discussion of the types of evenweave fabrics that you can stitch these designs on, and a look at the types of threads that are best to use. I liked that there is a variety of both, as most of us have something suitable stashed away, and I could jump straight in and start stitching.
The tools required too are fairly straightforward – just a blunt tipped needle so as to slide between the threads of your fabric, rather then pierce them, scissors, and your threads.
This quick course includes patterns for Shannon and Jason’s Kogin Christmas trees in three sizes –
Small
Medium – (in a plain green or try ‘candy box’ colours for the separate motifs)
and Large – (which is stunning in the white on red).
I had a quick go at stitching a single motif, and found it to be quite easy once I got into the swing of counting the threads over and under. It’s not hard at all, but a little bit of concentration is needed when you’re first starting out. (I can see one little mistake now that I made on my second row, but I’m not going to worry about it this time. Doing this at night in not such bright light was probably a mistake, and the right glasses may have helped…)
You start in the middle, and stitch out to top and bottom of the designs. I used three strands of embroidery floss on 16 count Aida fabric, and I think the finished motif looks really pretty. I would think about using four strands next time, just to puff it up a bit, but that’s not a deal-breaker for me.
Ta dah! My finished motif. I did it on a small square, and just have to decide how to finish this now. (They did cover several options in the course too), but I’m thinking either a small frame, or perhaps sewing a backing and stuffing it lightly for a new Christmas ornament for our tree this year. I think that’s probably the winner.
I always love learning something new, and if it’s to do with stitching in any way, shape or form, then I’m in!
This was a fun little course, and I recommend you check it out if you’re interested in finding out more. You’ll find it at: https://creativespark.ctpub.com/courses/kogin-tree .
I have been lucky enough this month to again have one one these courses to give away for FREE. If you’d like to be in the running to win free access to “Make Your Own Kogin Tree”, please just leave me a comment below about why you’re interested in this technique, and we’ll draw a winning name out next week.
Enjoy your week!
PS. If you’re into Christmas, treat yourself, and check out our Quilter’s Christmas Advent Calendar! It’s still available for this year, but only until the 28th November, when it will shut for another year…
7 responses to “Make Your Own Kogin Tree – A Review”
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Would love to learn
Thanks, Jody. This looks like a beautiful project.
It was quite fun to stitch too!
I would love to make this Kogin tree for my daughter who loves everything Japanese
Another good project to do while “listening” to TV programs at night.
This seems like the perfect project to keep your hands busy while “counting” time in a car, doctor’s office or watching television. It seems easier than the hardanger I learned years ago.
looks like it would be a good companion to all the counted crosstitching I did years ago.