These pre printed panels from Olympus Thread Mfg. Co.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 have done above).
Thread requirements - The (1) on the label indicates that to stitch this all in one colour, just one skein of 20m sashiko thread is needed, but they look great stitched in multicolours too.This panel was stitched using 20m sashiko thread in shades #72 and #93 to use as a cushion panel. It also looks lovely stitched in one colour, and you could use green for the leaves for a spring look. I used the sashiko threads doubled for a bolder effect, apart from the leaf veins where it is a single thread for a more delicate contrast. It will probably be bordered and backed with one of the Olympus striped cottons, and made into a cushion, but I'm also thinking about a 'four seasons' panel with some other hana fukin.
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!
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 Thread Mfg. Co. in Japan.
100% cotton.
