Sashiko Lesson 2

Continued from Sashiko Lesson 1

Patterns based on squares, diagonals, diamonds, and hexagons

These patterns have straight lines, and sharp edges or corners. This lesson will help you to get a feel of how to deal with different kinds of patterns, and how to decide what stitch sequence to follow. Remember that it is important to study a design and decide the pattern of stitching before actually working on it.

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Square-based patterns
These patterns are made using blocks of squares. They are very easy to make and stitch. These patterns have right-angled corners.

Dan- Tsunagi (connected steps pattern)

Stitch each set of steps at a time. Don’t try to carry over the thread from one set to the other. Instead, finish your stitch each time, and start each set afresh.

Kakuju- Tsunagi (connected angles pattern)

Stitch each set of steps at a time. Then, stitch each square at a time. This time, the steps lie horizontally, up and down, to make a pattern.

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Diagonal based patterns
These patterns are made of the diagonals of squares, inclined at 45 degrees angle. The lines cut through the middle of each square.

Higaki (Cypress fence pattern)

Stitch the diagonal lines in a zig-zag manner. To make sure that these lines are stitched continuously, you need to carry on the thread behind the fabric after finishing each line. The pink arrows indicate that. This pattern is a non-reversible pattern.

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Diamond based pattern
These patterns are based on lines that cut across two squares lying horizontally adjacent to each other.

Kagome (Woven bamboo pattern)

Work on the vertical straight lines first. Then, work on the diagonal lines. Finish the diagonal lines on one side before working on the ones on the other.

Matsukawa- Bishi (Pine shaped diamond pattern)

Start working on the diagonal lines continuously, following the zig-zag path. Work on the zig-zag lines on one side before moving to the ones on the other.

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Hexagon based patterns
This pattern is made using straight lines cutting across two squares, and two straight lines two squares down.

Mukai-Kikko (Faced tortoise shell pattern)

Stitch the vertical lines first, as illustrated. Then, do the zig-zags of the hexagon. Finally, work on the parts of the smaller hexagons denoted by C.

Musubi- Kikko (Linked tortoiseshell pattern)

Stitch the vertical lines first, as illustrated. Then, do the zig-zags of the hexagon. Finally, work on the parts of the smaller hexagons denoted by C.

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Next, go to the other tutorials of Sashiko:

Introduction

The basic

Circles, Borders

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Reference : SASHIKO Traditional Japanese Quilt Designs by Nihon Vogue