These pre printed panels from Olympus are called 'hana fukin' with literally means 'flower cloth'. They are printed in grey on indigo blue coloured narrow width traditional sarashi cloth (an easy to stitch traditional Japanese cotton cloth). Each panel is supplied in one piece with a plain area the same size attached, because they are designed to be stitched through both layers and the edges turned in to make a little cloth, but you can stitch the printed layer separately (as I often do).
'Sayagata' means 'saya pattern'. Saya is a kind of damask weave silk, originally imported to Japan via the Silk Road and Chinese trade. The pattern is similar to Celtic fretwork patterns and is considered to be very high class, often used for fabrics worn as part of the junihitoe (twelve unlined robes) women's Imperial court dress. It became popular in the late sixteenth century and includes many linked manji, the ancient Buddhist symbol. This is a tricky pattern to draw, which is one reason I stock it as a printed panel, but it is not difficult to stitch, as all the lines are continuous! Stitching guide included, in Japanese, but with easy to follow diagrams.
Sarashi cloth is quite lightweight compared with other sashiko fabrics, but is very easy to stitch, super absorbent and wears well. It is one of the fabrics traditionally used for kimono underwear!
One 20m skein of sashiko thread will be enough to stitch this design, whether you are using the thread doubled or singly.
Finished size approx 13in (33cm) square.
Marks wash out. NB - the marks have less contrast than my pre printed sashiko panels. The fabric is indigo colour, not natural indigo, so the colour won't run.
Designed and made by Olympus in Japan.
100% cotton.
