I have been developing some sashiko patterns that can be used to embellish or patch your favourite item of clothing.
Using a variation of the komezashi (rice stitch) this is perfect for strengthening your clothes in places which tend to wear out and need reinforcing. I really like this stitch for mending holes in jeans (like knees) because of the way the design is stitched, which reinforces the fabric by stitching : horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.
Like all hitomezashi designs (also known as one stitch sashiko, these designs are stitched on a grid and the stitches meet or cross to create a design) the stitches are the same length and are created using running stitch.
Did you know?
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Rice stitch patterns, and their variations, are called this because the stitch is similar in size to a grain of rice.
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During the Edo era in Japan (1603 - 1868) officials decreed that farmers could only wear blue or grey with patterns no larger than a grain of rice. It is said that this is the origin why sashiko stitches resemble grains of rice.
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Rice stitch pattern got its name because it also represents the kanji character for rice.
