The popular 'Honeycomb' design sashiko sampler hanafukin panel is now available on taupe fabric (first photo), as well as on the original white.
One for the intermediate sashiko stitchers who are looking for something a bit more absorbing and challenging than our regular range of hanafukin panels. This pre printed sashiko sampler panel from Olympus Thread Mfg. Co. is called a 'hana fukin' (which literally means 'flower cloth') in Japanese. It is printed in taupe 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 (as shown in the fifth photo), but you can stitch the printed layer separately and make them into various other items, such as bags, cushions or quilt panels. They also look great framed.
This gorgeous new panel, with the stitch designs in columns, combines two different styles of sashiko - the sides are stitched with a hexagonal hitomezashi (one stitch sashiko) pattern, while the central area has two different larger designs. There are four different sampler designs in the collection - honeycomb, poinsettia, drop and nadeshiko (carnation) - and they are available as complete kits (on white), or as panels only (white or colours).
This listing is for the panel only. Instructions are in Japanese, but with excellent diagrams, so you don't really need to be able to understand the text, but you can use the Google Translate phone app to 'read' them for you if you wish.
Sarashi cloth is quite lightweight compared with other sashiko fabrics, but is very easy to stitch, super absorbent and wears well. It is one of the fabrics traditionally used for kimono underwear!
If stitched with the same colour throughout, this panel needs 3 x 20m skeins, or 60m thread. If you use several colours, you will need more skeins. The darker fabric opens up lots of possibilities for stitching in paler thread colours, such as the Awai-iro pastel threads or the Sashiko Lamé threads, which have a strand of metallic lamée. Thread suggestions, as shown in the fourth photo are for 100m #121 and #192. I recently stitched this panel using #111 and #154, with #114 and #128, a colourway inspired by 'honeycomb toffee' chocolate covered candy!
Please note, I would suggest that a little sashiko stitching or other embroidery experience is advisable before tackling one of these panels. I would rate the skill level as intermediate.
Finished size approx 13in (33cm) square.
Marks wash out.
Designed and made by Olympus Thread Mfg. Co. in Japan.
100% cotton.
