These pre printed panels from Olympus Thread Mfg. Co. are called 'hanafukin' with literally means 'flower cloth'. This one is 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) and make the panel up as a cushion, a bag or whatever you like.
Kugurizashi literally means 'go through' sashiko, where you stitch a series of running stitches before weaving through with other threads, but 'threaded' or 'woven' sashiko would be a good way to describe it in English. These patterns are surprisingly quick to stitch. I recommend turning your needle around when you do the threaded part, so you don't accidentally pierce your previous stitches.
This is a modern hitomezashi (one stitch sashiko) sampler, combining asanoha (hemp leaf) and zenzashi (coin stitch, like a Japanese 5 or 50-Yen coin with a hole in the middle). Stitch with a single strand of medium or fine sashiko thread - with this cloth, you are ready to stitch straight away. Kits contain a stitching guide (in Japanese) but it is pictorial and very easy to follow. I recommend stitching the circular outlines first. In the square sections of hitomezashi, just keep your stitch lines straight and stitch all the marked stitched lines first, then 'go through' with the woven thread. Lines are stitched back and forth across the panel. Make a stitch where there is a line on the fabric and leave a gap in between. All the stitching lines are straight - you don't wiggle them around the shapes!
To stitch this sampler panel, I recommend one 100m skein of medium sashiko thread, or three 20m skeins of medium sashiko thread (great if you want to use several colours), one 80m ball of fine sashiko thread, or one 370m skein of fine sashiko thread (one of these would do several hitomezashi hana fukin), stitched as a single strand. The circle outlines would look good with either single or double thread. Fine sashiko thread will, of course, give a more delicate effect.
Sarashi cloth is quite lightweight compared with other sashiko fabrics, but is very easy to stitch (even if you decide to go traditional and stitch through two layers), super absorbent and wears well. It is one of the fabrics traditionally used for kimono underwear!
Finished size approx 13in (33cm) square.Marks wash out.
Also available in white.
It is advisable not to press the printed area with a hot iron before stitching, as marks may resist washing out.
Designed and made by Olympus Thread Mfg. Co. in Japan.
100% cotton.
