Colourful Sashiko

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: @sashikonamiWebsite: sashikonami.shopinfo.jpYoutube: @sashikonami-Facebook: @sashikonami.sashiko

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 author’s distinctive sobriquet (also her Instagram handle) indicates a fascination with the craft. She begins her text with 47 designs—persimmons, coins, flowers—applied 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.

• Kaki-no hana (persimmon flowers) and its variations1 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 variations9 Dan tsunagi10 Yabane (arrow feathers)11 Shimashima moyo (stripes)12 Dan tsunagi variations Sankaku y shikaku-no moyo (triangles and squares)13 Sankaku moyo mini table mats14 Small shikaku moyo cloth Creating patterns15 Original patterns sampler16 Laces17–18 Shimashima moyo wash bag and kome zashi (rice pattern) washcloth19 Traditional Japanese ohana moyo (flowers) drawstring bag Zenigata zashi (coin pattern) and its variations20 Rokumonsen zashi (six-coin emblem pattern)21 Zenigata zashi22 Zenigata zashi (variation 1)23 Zenigata zashi (variation 2)24 Zenigata zashi sampler25 Zenigata zashi purse Juji hana zashi (flower cross pattern) and asa-no ha (hemp leaf)26 Juji hana zashi sampler27 Juji hana zashi pin cushion28 Juji hana zashi29 Juji hana zashi variation30–31 Juji hana zashi purse and traditional Japanese drawstring bag32 Asa-no ha33 Asa-no ha pin cushion Kuguri zashi (stitching and weaving)34 Kikko hana zashi (flower in turtle-shell pattern)35–38 Kikko zashi (turtle-shell pattern) and its variations38 Kuguri zashi Koushi (check), hana zashi (flower pattern) and kome zashi (rice pattern)39 Koushi40 Linear Hana zashi41 Hana zashi sampler42 Kome zashi sampler43 Hana zashi44 Hana zashi (variation 1)45 Hana zashi (variation 2)46 Hana zashi mini-tote47 Kobana moyo (small flowers) purse48 Kobana moyo child’s mask and cloth49 Sasa zashi (bamboo pattern) My sashiko workbookSashiko basics FabricThreadEquipmentUsing a ring thimblePreparing the threadKnotting the threadTips for a good finish Making a sampler Tips for working juji hana zashiTips for working kikko hana zashiStitch patterns and projects