Sashiko Sampler, Hitome-zashi, Hoshi-to-mitsu-hishi

This hitome-zashi sashiko design is ready to stitch. The design is printed on the cotton fabric and will wash cleanly away after you have stitched over them.  You just thread your sashiko needle with sashiko thread and enjoy the stitching.  Finished size is 12" x 12"

About this project

• The sashiko design is 12" x 12" but the fabric provided is 13" x 26". For a nicer and more traditional sashiko piece, fold the fabric and do the stitching through both layers.  
• You will need: 2 balls of Olympus Thin sashiko thread 88 meter balls OR 5 - 20 meter skeins of Olympus sashiko thread. 

• Do not get the fabric wet and do not iron it before the stitching is finished or bad things will happen! :-D Water will wash it away and heat will make it set so it will never wash away. 
• However after you finish the stitching, the fabric and the sashiko thread will become prettier with washing. Be sure to finish any raw edges first, but then you can throw it in the washing machine. Remove from dryer while damp and iron. (It is cotton so stay to warm temperatures)

What is Hitome-zashi?

Hitomezashi is a style of sashiko, sometimes called one-stitch sashiko because the design is built through the accumulation of individual stitches. The designs cover the fabric more densely than sashiko designs. This technique was used where fabric would get  a lot of wear to make it stronger (cuffs, collars, knees...). Today we are stitching it for its beauty and because it is a peaceful, relaxing technique. 

These designs are also used for boro stitching (visible mending)

As with all sashiko stitching you will take care to leave some looseness in your threads at the back of the project to allow for it to stay flat as the stitching continues and when washed.

How to Stitch Hitomezashi

Short version: Thread your sashiko needle with 20" of sashiko thread. Knot the end and take your first stitch in the margin so the knot is outside the design. Gather the fabric comfortably in your hand and stitch any vertical or horizontal line all the way across. Repeat on another line using a new thread. This keeps all the knots off the design and every thread will cross the entire design (no joins) Continue until you have stitched all the lines in every direction. 

This link will take you to a my blog with more how to information. (There are some directions included with the fabric, in Japanese, but with good drawings.. 

More

Hem, or add a border, to your finished hitomezashi sashiko cloth and use it in the kitchen to cover a bowl of fruit or in a bread basket, or make a cushion, or stitch several blocks and make a runner, or stitch a few more and make a quilt top...or even use them as absorbent tea towels. 

If you sew, you can use the finished Hitome-zashi sashiko cloth piece to cut your pattern pieces from. The raw edges and cut threads will be fine for long enough to be stitched in the seams of your sewing project.