Take your Sashiko stitching to the next level.
This ready to stitch design on sarashi-momen (100% cotton) fabric combines three Hitome-zashi Sashiko patterns in one beautiful design.
It looks impressively complicated when finished, but it is relaxing and easy to do!
Hitome-zashi (one-stitch sashiko) designs are as easy and relaxing as plain sashiko stitching. You simply thread your needle with sashiko thread and stitch over the printed markings. You start with stitching all the vertical lines, next stitch all the horizontal lines, and finally stitch all the diagonal lines. For each line you stitch it is important to stitch all the way from one side of the design to the other (don't change directions). As your stitching progresses you will see the design emerge from your straight stitched lines.
The kit contains pre-printed fabric, needle and threads.
- "Snow Crystals" pre-printed kit comes with and good diagrams for how to stitch, but the instructions are in Japanese only. To help with this problem I have written and included instructions for how to do hitome-sashi stitching which should be adequate instructions when used with the colour coded diagrams.
- You might also read a my blog what-is-hitomezashi-and-how-to-do-it
- Skill level: Confident hand stitching experience should be enough with the blog,
- Recommended books in English for learning this sashiko techniques: Amazing Sashiko
- Care: 100% cotton cloth. Hand wash in warm water, towel dry. Press face down with steam.
- Size: The fabric is about 13" X 26". You are meant to fold the unprinted half behind the printed half and stitch through both layers.
- Finished size 12" X 12"
- Uses: Can be hemmed and used as they it is, or used for cushions, as quilt blocks, or in other sewing projects. These wash very well by hand or by machine. (They will get more 'quilt-y textured' with repeated washings)
WHAT are Hito-me-sashi and Kuguri-sashi SASHIKO?
Hitome-zashi is a sashiko stitching style. The designs are made up of single stitches in straight lines across the fabric. The stitching covers the fabric more densely than Moyo-zashi (simple or plain sashiko) designs. This technique was used to make cloth stronger where it would get a lot of wear (cuffs, collars, knees...) and for mending. Today we are stitching it for its beauty and because it is relaxing and enjoyable.
Kuguri-zashi is a more advanced sashiko stitching technique which involves using the Hitome-zashi stitching as the base layer to weave threads under to create beautiful patterns and textures.
Snow Crystals uses Kurugi to weave part of the center area. If you are uncomfortable with that stitching style you can stitch it just as you did the other stitching in the centre. In this design the difference it makes in almost unnoticeable.
Hitomesashi and kuguri are also used for boro stitching (visible mending).
