These pre printed panels from Olympus Thread Mfg. Co. are called 'hanafukin' with literally means 'flower cloth'. This one printed in grey on white narrow width traditional sarashi cloth (an easy to stitch traditional Japanese cotton cloth). I also have this panel in light blue. 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, but you can stitch the printed layer separately (as I often do) and make the panel up as a cushion, a bag or whatever you like. NB - with white or light coloured hanafukin, very dark or bright threads might shadow through the fabric slightly.
Stitch with either a single strand of medium sashiko thread or a doubled fine sashiko thread. Marking a complex pattern like konpeito (star candy - just like the tiny Japanese sweets!) over a larger area takes time, but with this cloth, you are ready to stitch straight away. Kits contain a stitching guide (in Japanese) but it is pictorial and very easy to follow. Just keep your lines straight and stitch all the vertical lines first, then the two different diagonals one after the other. Lines are stitched back and forth across the panel. Make a stitch where there is a line on the fabric and leave a gap in between. All the lines are straight - you don't wiggle them around on the diagonals!
To stitch konpeitou all over this panel, I recommend a 100m skein of medium sashiko thread, one 80m fine sashiko thread, four20m skeins of medium sashiko thread, or a 370m skein of fine sashiko thread (one of these would do at least two hitomezashi hana fukin). Use the thread singly.
Sarashi cloth is quite lightweight compared with other sashiko fabrics, but is very easy to stitch (even if you decide to go traditional and stitch through two layers), super absorbent and wears well. It is one of the fabrics traditionally used for kimono underwear!
Finished size approx 13in (33cm) square.
Marks wash out. NB - the marks have less contrast than my pre printed sashiko panels.
It is advisable not to press the printed area with a hot iron before stitching, as marks may resist washing out.
Designed and made by Olympus Thread Mfg. Co. in Japan.
100% cotton.
