NB - The Naska panels do not have stitching guides, but this panel is 'kakinohanazashi' which is one of the easiest to do! I have added some stitching tips to each listing, plus the diagram from the manufacturer's website.
These traditional Japanese sashiko hanafukin panels from Naska are printed with wash out markings on absorbent sarashi cotton, and have a plain section which is traditionally the back of the hanafukin cloth (although you can make them up in other ways of course). All the Naska designs are the same size, so they can be combined as panels in larger projects.
The classic 'kakinohanazashi' (persimmon flower stitch) pattern a very easy hitomezashi (one stitch sashiko) pattern to stitch with continuous straight lines of running stitch, horizontally and vertically, which form the design where the stitches meet. The pattern appears as if by magic! Although it might look like you step your way around the pattern, it is in fact all straight lines. This was the first pattern I learned how to stitch, and it is very addictive.
Please note that the mid indigo blue these panels are printed on is a slightly lighter shade than the Olympus and QH Textiles sashiko sampler hanafukin indigo blue colour that I sell.
'Hana fukin' with literally means 'flower cloth' and these panels are slightly rectangular, at 35 x 38cm. They are printed in white on indigo blue 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 (traditionally) 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 for making up into other items if you wish.
My thread estimate for this panel is 100m, if used singly, which is advisable for this pattern on this size of stitch (approx. 5mm long). Of course, there is scope for playing with several different thread colours and coordinating some beautiful effects. Kakinohanazashi can also look incredible in a multi coloured sashiko thread.
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!
Fabric size approx. 13 3/4 x 15in (35 x 38cm) - finished size (as a hanafukin, with approx. 1/2in (1.3cm) turned in all round), approx. 12 3/4in x 14in ( 32.5 x 35.5cm).
Marks wash out.
Designed and made by Naito Shoji Co., Japan.
100% cotton.
