Well it took me awhile, but I finally finished my Rakusu. It turned out really well. All those hours of perfectionist sewing really paid off. My Jukai ceremony was on March 28th. I took the Bodhisattva precepts in front of my friends and family. It was a beautiful ceremony or so I am told. I was too nervous to notice. This project has really helped me grow as a sewer. I have gotten a ton of ideas and gained the confidence to start some new projects.
I wanted to share some of the interesting details of the Rakusu with all of you. This is the pine needle stitch.
I have yet to learn it's meaning, but it is lovely just the same. It's exactly the same on the front and back side. This is accomplished by following a diagram that shows you where to insert the needle in a series of steps. The border also has an interesting design. It is all one continuous round piece of cloth that is folded to form a square frame that the main panel of the Rakusu fits into.
I was sewing up to the last minute to get done before the 28th. I was extremely sick with strep throat and a stomach flu all at the same time. On about the last day I had to sew my friend asked me if I had the case finished yet. I was like, "Oh, I need to make the case, too?" Oops, well good thing it's so easy to make because I was about delirious at that point. It's just two pieces of square cloth sewn together inside out and then turned right side out and folded into an envelope and sewn along the seam.
I am going to take the left over material and sew a Jizo Buddha doll for my daughter. Stay tuned for this and other Zen inspired sewing projects.
