… 117
Creative Hitomezashi Brooches … 119
Why We Wrote This Book
We have created this book to be a beginner’s handbook for sashiko enthusiasts and included what
we believe are the most effective and easiest techniques. The designs featured can be embroidered
using techniques that may differ from the ones published in this book, so please don’t feel re-
stricted to use only the methods outlined here. We hope you will experiment with stitching
in a way that feels most comfortable for you. The best way to learn is to simply pick up
needle, thread and fabric, and have fun! Please refer to pages 26–38 first for all Hana- fukin designs. As you embroider, you may have questions or may be uncertain about how to proceed, so we have compiled an index of handy information on pages 4-5.
Sashiko embroidery emerged out of necessity hundreds of years ago,
as a way to reinforce and preserve fabric, which was scarce and therefore
valuable. The women who created this utilitarian craft eventually found
themselves developing more fanciful designs and patterns, purely for
aesthetic pleasure. In particular, the “Hanafukin” (the ubiquitous
Japanese kitchen cloth) sashiko stitching style incorporates a
variety of designs in beautiful and interesting ways—form and
function rolled into one. This book will introduce you to 36 ways
to embroider in the Hanafukin style, as well as other small
sashiko-embellished accessories.
Visual Index by Drafting Method
Project number Design name・Instructions and actual size template page
Designs with
Horizontal and
Vertical Straight
Lines
Designs with
Mainly 45-degree
Lines
Designs Combining
Grids and Diagonal
Lines
Designs Based on Equilateral Triangles (Graph Paper)
Designs Based on ¼” x ¼” (0.5 x 0.5 cm) Gridlines (Hitomezashi)
Designs with
Curved Lines
Designs with
Hexagonal Grid
Lines
01 Juji-Tsunagi
Linked Crosses
02 Dan-Tsunagi
Linked Steps
03 Shippo-Tsunagi
Seven Treasures
04 Hanazashi
Flower Stitches
05 Kaku-Shippo
Angled Seven Treasures
06 Tsuno-Kikkō
Horned Tortoiseshell
07 Kasane-Kikkō
Layered Tortoiseshell
08 Musubi-Kikkō
Tied Tortoiseshell
09 Bishamon-Kikkō
Bishamon Tortoiseshell
10 Maru-Bishamon
Round Bishamon
11 Kawari Manji Tsunagi
Linked Changing Manji
