These pre printed panels from Olympus Thread Mfg. Co. are called 'hanafukin' with literally means 'flower cloth'. This one printed in grey on 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.
This style of hitomezashi (one stitch sashiko) is called kagurizashi, which means threads are woven through the stitches, and it is fun to stitch. Use a single strand of medium sashiko thread for easy stitching, or use fine sashiko thread for a more delicate effect. First, stitch the dashed lines back and forth across the panel, following the diagrams in the enclosed leaflet, then thread through those stitches to make the pattern (this looks lovely in a contrasting colour). This pattern is called 'asagao' (morning glory) and would look pretty stitched in blues and purples, echoing the flower.
Kits contain a stitching guide (in Japanese) but it is pictorial, in colour, and very easy to follow (tip - you can also use the Google Translate phone app to 'read' the Japanese text). Make a stitch where there is a line on the fabric and leave a gap in between. All the diagonal lines are straight running stitch - they aren't stitched as cross stitches, although the finished stitches look like that! This hanafukin shows you exactly where to stitch
To stitch all over this panel in a single colour, I recommend a total of 120m of sashiko thread. You will need a little more than 100m skein of medium sashiko thread or an 80m ball of fine sashiko thread, or you could use two of each and just have some thread left over. If you want to add a colour accent, use two 20m skeins of medium sashiko thread for the stitches, and four 20m skeins in a contrasting colour for the threaded part of the design (shaded sashiko threads look great for this). If you want to stitch several matching panels, one 370m skein of fine sashiko thread would be your best buy.
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!
Also available in white.
Finished size approx 13in (33cm) square.
Marks wash out. 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.
