Sashiko: "Water Surface" Kit

The sashiko kits we have all have easy to follow patterns which have the stitches printed on the fabric in washable ink.  I chose the traditional sashiko kit "water surface" to show how to do a pattern from beginning to end.  I paired the kit with the Cobalt Blue Sashiko Thread (#10). The fabric has a second side that could be used to cover up the wrong side of the embroidery in a pillow or handkerchief.


 

Before beginning the embroidery, decide how to do the pattern.  Typically, the horizontal and vertical lines are done first (except for the outside lines).  Next, the diagonal lines are stitched.  Finally the remaining shapes are embroidered. Since this pattern does not have any horizontal or vertical lines, start with the diagonal lines, from one end to the other. 

When the first line is finished, start with the next line, but start in the opposite direction to avoid any puckering or skewing of the fabric.   Make sure you have enough thread on the needle to get from one end of the pattern to the other, to avoid having any knots in the middle of the fabric. 

 

After completing all of the diagonal lines, the figures remaining create a diamond pattern. To do this part of the pattern, start at the top, then follow the arrows around the pattern back to the top. 

 

This is how the diamond pattern looks when completed. Work your way from one side of the fabric to the other, just as you did the diagonal lines.  Finally, embroider the outside lines.  The ink of the pattern will come out easily in a cold water hand wash with a little agitation.  Your sashiko sample is complete!

 

Comments

[purl bee]

Hi Sarah,

Either way would work. Doing the Sashiko as the quilting would be definitely be quicker but it's really up to you. Thanks for your question!

[Bonni]

Hi Sarah. I think I am going to do the Sashiko and when it is finished just think of the finished product as a fancier fabric for my quilting. When it would get time to quilt it, I'd do the stitching in a thread that matched so as not to take away from the Sashiko design. The Sashiko design could be on the top (if doing a one piece larger project) or perhaps just do Sashiko in your borders to make them pop more. You could also put Sashiko on the back if you wanted a more "reversible" type project. Hope that helps. I think that I might use some Sashiko in the borders as an experiment.

[chinese embroidery]

goog job!!!!

[Jane Greiner]

Thanks for the clear instructions on how to do Sashiko. I have just bought a piece of pre-printed fabric for Sashiko and couldn't wait to try it. I am really enjoying it, now I have got used to the big needle! I have put a link to your tutorial on my textiles (fiber arts) blog. When I have finished the embroidery I will post photos too.
Now I have found Purlbee I am hooked, and keep looking at the previous posts, it's great!
Jane from England
http://texturetrail.blogspot.com/

[sweetfe]

Thank you for the tutorial!