2 Horizontal Layer (nari-jibiki)

The horizontal layer (H) is very much like the weft layer. The key difference is that a horizontal layer is worked across the width of the motif rather than the width of the fabric. Where the motif has an axis, such as the central vein of a leaf, the stitches are worked perpendicular to the axis and are parallel to each other. Stitches are worked from the middle of the motif to the right, then from the first stitch to the left. On irregularly shaped motifs, I tend to start at the widest point rather than the exact middle. On all but the smallest motifs, I find it helpful to mark parallel lines at regular intervals; I find it difficult to keep my stitches parallel without this visual guide.

Horizontal layer is typically worked on leaves. Were there is more than one leaf, and they are orientated in different directions, the stitches are orientated to suite each individual leaf.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

On Camelias, the leaves are all worked in the same shade of green but, because of the reflective qualities of flat silk, each petal appears to be a slightly different colour.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

For chrysanthemum leaves, what appears to be individual leaves may be the lobes of a single leaf. In this case, the horizontal layer is perpendicular to the main lobe and the stitches are aligned across all of the lobes, even when the join is not visible.

© JEC/Carol-Anne Conway

Happy Stitching