Colourful Sashiko

Kaki-no hana (persimmon flowers) and its variations

1 Nijukaki-no hana (double persimmon flowers)

2 Kaki-no hana (variation 1)

3 Kaki-no hana (variation 2)

4 Kaki-no hana (variation 3)

5 Ju-no ki (cross-shaped trees)

6 Ju-no ki-ni arare (hail on cross-shaped trees)

7 Kawari hana juji (flower cross variation)

8 Kawari hana juji coasters

 

Dan tsunagi (connected steps) and its variations

9 Dan tsunagi

10 Yabane (arrow feathers)

11 Shimashima moyo (stripes)

12 Dan tsunagi variations

 

Sankaku y shikaku-no moyo (triangles and squares)

13 Sankaku moyo mini table mats

14 Small shikaku moyo cloth

 

Creating patterns

15 Original patterns sampler

16 Laces

1718 Shimashima moyo wash bag and kome zashi (rice pattern) washcloth

19 Traditional Japanese ohana moyo (flowers) drawstring bag

 

Zenigata zashi (coin pattern) and its variations

20 Rokumonsen zashi (six-coin emblem pattern)

21 Zenigata zashi

22 Zenigata zashi (variation 1)

23 Zenigata zashi (variation 2)

24 Zenigata zashi sampler

25 Zenigata zashi purse

 

Juji hana zashi (flower cross pattern) and asa-no ha (hemp leaf)

26 Juji hana zashi sampler

27 Juji hana zashi pin cushion

28 Juji hana zashi

29 Juji hana zashi variation

3031 Juji hana zashi purse and traditional Japanese drawstring bag

32 Asa-no ha

33 Asa-no ha pin cushion

 

Kuguri zashi (stitching and weaving)

34 Kikko hana zashi (flower in turtle-shell pattern)

3538 Kikko zashi (turtle-shell pattern) and its variations

38 Kuguri zashi

 

Koushi (check), hana zashi (flower pattern) and kome zashi (rice pattern)

39 Koushi

40 Linear Hana zashi

41 Hana zashi sampler

42 Kome zashi sampler

43 Hana zashi

44 Hana zashi (variation 1)

45 Hana zashi (variation 2)

46 Hana zashi mini-tote

47 Kobana moyo (small flowers) purse

48 Kobana moyo child’s mask and cloth

49 Sasa zashi (bamboo pattern)

 

My sashiko workbook

Sashiko basics

 

Fabric

Thread

Equipment

Using a ring thimble

Preparing the thread

Knotting the thread

Tips for a good finish

 

Making a sampler

 

Tips for working juji hana zashi

Tips for working kikko hana zashi

Stitch patterns and projects

About Sashikonami

Sashikonami is a popular Instagrammer with over 106k followers, who sells her works online. She has co-authored books in the past, and has featured her work in magazines. Colourful Sashiko is her first title as a standalone author.

Sashikonami started sashiko as she was fascinated by the beautiful patterns that could be created by moving needles through fabric; she was also looking for something to enjoy as she raised her children and discovered sashiko as a handicraft. Sashikonami creates beautiful and useful accessories using embroidered cloth, many of which are featured in Colourful Sashiko. The author lives in Tokyo, Japan.

Instagram: @sashikonami

Website: sashikonami.shopinfo.jp

Youtube: @sashikonami-

Facebook: @sashikonami.sashiko

Customer Review

I was initially attracted to the designs on the front cover, as they were so different to the style of Sashiko I currently do. The book shows a range of clear and colourful photos of designs in the first pages then some projects to make using the designs. Then general instructions followed by tips for working various projects. Then there are stitch patterns for each design showing how to do the stitches, and different variations of the design. Then pattern templates for the projects.

I have done some Sashiko but found there are different styles shown in this book. So far I have completed 3 of the designs in different styles from this book.

Kaki-no hana (persimmon flower), hana zashi (flower) and kugari Zashi (stitching and weaving). The stitches are simple, and once the design starts to grow you get into a flow and it grows quickly.

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BOOKLIST

Blue and white dominate the color palette for traditional Japanese sashiko, a running-stitch embroidery known for its sharp geometric designs. Meaning "little stabs," sashiko was primarily used to mend clothing items decoratively. Now, as sashiko artist Sashikonami shows us, anything goes, especially when it comes to color (though materials tend to stick to linens and cottons). The authors distinctive sobriquet (also her Instagram handle) indicates a fascination with the craft. She begins her text with 47 designspersimmons, coins, flowersapplied to small items like coasters, washcloths, and mini-totes, that will give beginners immediate gratification. Many U.S. readers/crafters might find the layout somewhat unfamiliar, as patterns lead, followed by a workbook (the how-tos), design charts, and then directions for finishing the different projects. Pair with a title like Susan Briscoe's The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook, more styled for American audiences, for maximum, colorful sashiko fun.

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Half Yard Sewing Club Reviewer

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Half Yard Sewing Club Reviewer

A beautifully presented, unique book which should inspire and challenge you.

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Half Yard Sewing Club Reviewer

For anybody who has a love of Sashiko stitching, this book is a beautiful edition, showing many different designs and the use of colourful thread work.

I like the pictures in the book for their clarity and simplicity. The texture of the paper has almost a matt feel to it and gives a clean and almost minimalistic feel, which I found very appealing.

[...]

For anybody starting their journey with Sashiko, there is a lovely section in the beginning of the book explaining the fabric, threads and equipment you need. It shows you how to use a ring thimble (a must for anybody doing a lot of Sashiko, I find it invaluable). How to prepare your thread, how to knot and how to finish. This may sound simple but Sashiko has a special way of doing all these things, so it is important to learn them well before starting.

There is an extremely good chapter on making a sampler, which I would recommend to anyone starting out to do. [...]

If you are a beginner, dont feel overwhelmed by this book but sit down and read it through first before starting, then give it a go.

For the more advanced Sashiko sewers it is a lovely edition to your library for your stitching and projects.

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Half Yard Sewing Club Reviewer

Small Steps: this is what Sashiko means in Japanese, and this is exactly what this book is all about.

It illustrates embroidery using small stitches, mainly all in rows, giving easy-to-follow instructions with amazing results. Patterns are usually followed from grids and therefore you could design your own.

The book contains 49 designs and 67 different Sachiko patterns to follow. There are also some ideas shown in the pages that these lovely designs may be used on.

The book itself is robust and contains 95, almost glossy pages. All information is given to you on what you would need and the best way to proceed with starting this craft.

I found the book very interesting and will enjoy giving this very easy and effective embroidery a go.

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Half Yard Sewing Club Reviewer

This book as well as being inspirational and informative would also make a wonderful coffee table book, because of the beautifully created applique pictures which look like ethereal watercolours.

You can easily get lost amongst the pages of this lovely book.

What I like is the amount of detailed information on the first several chapters of the book, from the best materials and equipment to use to learning how to over-dye your fabrics.

Abigail takes you by the hand on how to set the scene of your picture; how to cut out your templates and then informs you on the best threads to use for free motioning your templates on. A nice touch is the suggestion on not hemming your templates but leaving them to fray slightly, giving them a vintage feel.

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Half Yard Sewing Club Reviewer

This book contains 49 colourful sashiko designs as opposed to the normal blue and white. The book takes you through the designs from a grid so will be helpful to beginners to use these or adopt their own designs. There is a workbook section detailing all you need to begin and ideas for how to apply the designs to small projects. Great for anyone beginning sashiko and wants to take up a hobby that can be taken anywhere and done with little outlay and equipment. 

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July/August 2024

Sashikonami combines her love of piecework with sashiko, with her designs worked in a spectrum of coloured threads and fabrics as opposed to the traditional indigo. Comprising 49 projects and more than 60 geometric patterns, shapes and combinations, try your hand at floral motifs, baketweave, musical notes and more. The practical, pretty project items include dish cloths, purses and mini tote bags, coasters, pouches, face masks, sponge bags and glasses cases. Detailing both the basics and more intricate stitch patterns, the title spans experience levels. 

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Machine Knitting Monthly

The combination of diverse designs, practical projects and clear instructions make this a valuable resource for anyone interested in traditional Japanese embroidery, with a vibrant modern twist.