Hanafukin cloths are traditionally stitched through two layers of fabric (the second layer is the plain section) but can be stitched just through one if you want to add wadding and quilt the panel after finishing the sashiko stitching. For 'quilt as you go', the plain section can be used as a backing.

To stitch through two layers, the cloth can be stitched all round and bagged out before stitching the sashiko; stitched across the short ends with right sides together, then the sashiko stitched, and finally the two selvedges turned in on each other and ladder stitched together; or the edges tucked in using a butted finished and stitched all round. Any of these can also be done after the sashiko is stitched, if you don't want the back of your stitching to be visible.

A traditional colour combination of green, red, and gold thread would look lovely for this panel, with green for the pine and red for the poinsettia flower, and perhaps some shaded sashiko threads to suggest the shine of the baubles. It would suit a more contemporary look with grey giving a frosty feeling to the pine. You could match the colours of the glass baubles to the rest of your Christmas decor. I included shaded purples and golds in my version, plus some Sashiko Lamé #SL7 to give it some real sparkle!

Of course, if you are including this panel with others in a quilt or wallhanging, you could take your colour inspirations from the other panels. Whatever colours you choose, remember the lightest colours, white especially, will appear very light against the greige fabric, while colours like deep red will stand out and create a bold accent in your stitching.

The whole panel can be stitched in a single medium sashiko thread or with some threads doubled for a bolder effect. If you wish to stitch in just one colour, try combining the 20m medium sashiko thread with the 80m fine sashiko thread. The colours are identical and the finer thread could be used to give a very delicate effect to some parts of the design.