July Free Pattern: Kaki no Hana (Persimmon Flower) Sashiko Coaster
For July, we wanted to create something small, colourful, and useful for everyday life.
This month’s free pattern features Kaki no Hana, or Persimmon Flower, a traditional hitomezashi sashiko motif. After stitching the pattern, we turned the fabric into a simple coaster and added four tiny tassels to the corners for a playful finishing touch.
For our sample, we used a multicoloured sashiko thread called Tanabata. The changing colours bring a cheerful summer feeling to the simple geometric design, making each little section of the pattern look slightly different.
The coaster is made by sewing two pieces of fabric together, turning them right side out, and closing the small opening by hand. It is an approachable project for anyone who would like to try sashiko and turn their stitching into something practical.
→ [Download the Free Kaki no Hana PDF Pattern]
About the Kaki no Hana Pattern
Kaki means persimmon, and hana means flower in Japanese.
Kaki no Hana is a traditional hitomezashi pattern created with small horizontal and vertical stitches. As the rows cross and connect, small geometric flowers gradually appear across the fabric.
Because the pattern is formed using only two stitching directions, it is a lovely introduction to hitomezashi for beginners.
The motif is often associated with wishes for a rich harvest and with the idea that nothing should be wasted. It is considered an auspicious design that reflects an appreciation for useful materials, careful work, and the gifts of the natural world.
This meaning feels especially fitting for a small coaster made from simple pieces of cloth and thread.
Why We Chose Tanabata Thread
For this July project, we used the Tanabata colour from DARUMA’s Sashiko Thread Card Thin collection.
Tanabata is Japan’s Star Festival, traditionally celebrated around the seventh day of the seventh month. The festival is known for colourful decorations and wishes written on small strips of paper.
The Tanabata sashiko thread is dyed in eight different colours. Even when you stitch simple straight lines, the colours change naturally across the fabric and create a bright, lively finish. The thread is made from 100% cotton, contains 40 metres, and uses four twisted strands, making it suitable for both detailed and larger sashiko patterns.
In this project, the colourful stitches also inspired the matching tassels at each corner.
→ View Sashiko Thread Card Thin in Tanabata
Materials
For the Sashiko
- Two pieces of cotton or linen fabric
- DARUMA Sashiko Needle Set
- DARUMA Sashiko Thread Card Thin in Tanabata
- Water Erasable Fabric Marking Pen, F-10 Extra Fine in Brown
- COSMO Sashiko Template for Hitomezashi Patterns, Persimmon Flower A / Flower Pattern Small, or the free PDF pattern
- Fabric scissors
- Ruler
- Pins or sewing clips
For the Coaster
- Regular sewing thread
- Hand sewing needle or sewing machine
- Four small tassels
- A small piece of cardboard for making the tassels
- Iron
Suggested Size
You can adjust the coaster size to suit your fabric and the size of the printed pattern.
For a small everyday coaster, try cutting:
- Front fabric: approximately 14 × 14 cm
- Back fabric: approximately 14 × 14 cm
Using a 1 cm seam allowance will create a finished coaster of approximately 12 × 12 cm.
Another easy way to plan the size is to leave at least 2.5 cm between the stitched design and each raw fabric edge. This gives you room for the seam allowance and a small border around the sashiko.
Before You Begin
The sashiko is worked on the front piece only before the coaster is assembled.
Wash and dry your fabric before marking if you are concerned about shrinkage.
Test your marking pen on a small piece of the same fabric first. The F-10 pen creates extra fine, water removable lines, making it suitable for detailed sashiko marking. Remove all markings with water before ironing, since heat may make remaining marks difficult to remove.
How to Transfer the Pattern
You can prepare the Kaki no Hana design in two different ways.
Method 1: Using the COSMO Sashiko Template
This is the method we used for the sample coaster.
The COSMO template is made for hitomezashi and helps you create evenly spaced marks without measuring every stitch individually. The selected template includes Persimmon Flower A / Flower Pattern Small.
- Place the front fabric on a flat surface with the right side facing up.
- Find and lightly mark the centre of the fabric.
- Place the sashiko template over the fabric, centring the Persimmon Flower design where you would like the stitching to appear.
- Hold the template firmly or secure it with removable tape.
- Use the extra fine marking pen to mark through the required holes.
- Carefully lift the template and check that all points are visible.
- Add any short connecting guides you need, following the pattern shown on the template.
The template is thin and semitransparent, making it easier to position and repeat the design neatly.
→ Shop COSMO Sashiko Template for Hitomezashi Patterns, Persimmon Flower A / Flower Pattern Small
→Shop Water Erasable Fabric Marking Pen, F-10 Extra Fine in Brown
Method 2: Using the Free PDF Pattern
The free PDF allows you to make the same design without purchasing a template.
- Download and print the PDF.
- Tape the printed pattern to a window or light box.
- Place the front fabric over the paper and secure it with tape.
- Make sure the design is centred and straight.
- Trace the pattern lightly using a marking pen.
- Remove the fabric and check that all lines or guide points are visible before stitching.
This method works best with white, natural, or other light coloured fabrics. For thicker or darker fabric, the reusable template may be easier to see and position.
→ [Download the Free Kaki no Hana PDF Pattern]
→Shop Water Erasable Fabric Marking Pen, F-10 Extra Fine in Brown
How to Stitch Kaki no Hana (Persimmon Flowers) Pattern
The pattern is created by stitching the horizontal and vertical sections separately.
1. Prepare the Thread
Cut a comfortable length of sashiko thread, approximately 50 to 60 cm.
Thread the sashiko needle.
Because the back of the stitching will be hidden inside the finished coaster, beginners may secure the thread with a small knot on the wrong side of the fabric.
The DARUMA needle set contains four needle sizes and a threader. For Sashiko Thread Thin, choose one of the needle sizes recommended for thinner thread and use the length that feels most comfortable in your hand.
2. Stitch the Horizontal Rows
Begin with the horizontal sections of the pattern.
Bring the needle up from the back of the fabric and follow the marked lines using a running stitch.
Try to keep the stitches reasonably even, but do not worry about making every stitch identical. Small variations are part of the handmade character of sashiko.
Avoid pulling the thread too tightly. The fabric should remain flat and relaxed.
3. Stitch the Vertical Rows
Once the horizontal rows are complete, turn the fabric and stitch the vertical sections.
As the vertical stitches cross and connect with the horizontal rows, the small Kaki no Hana shapes will begin to appear.
The changing colours of the Tanabata thread will move naturally across the motif. There is no need to plan where each colour will appear.
4. Finish the Stitching
Secure the final thread end on the wrong side.
Gently rinse or dab the fabric with clean water until all marking lines have disappeared.
Allow the fabric to dry flat. Once the markings are completely gone, press the fabric gently from the wrong side.
Make Four Small Tassels
You can use the remaining Tanabata thread to make tassels that match the sashiko.
- Cut a small piece of cardboard approximately 3 to 4 cm wide.
- Wrap the sashiko thread around the cardboard approximately 12 to 15 times.
- Slide a separate piece of thread under the wrapped strands and tie it firmly at the top.
- Remove the thread bundle from the cardboard.
- Wrap another short piece of thread around the bundle near the top to form the tassel head.
- Tie securely and trim the ends.
- Cut through the loops at the bottom and trim the tassel evenly.
Repeat until you have four tassels.
The tassels do not need to be perfectly identical. Slight differences add to their charm.
How to Finish the Coaster
1. Prepare the Fabric Pieces
Trim the stitched front fabric and backing fabric to the same size.
Place the front fabric and backing fabric together with the right sides facing each other.
The sashiko design should now be hidden inside.
2. Sew Around the Edges
Pin or clip the two layers together.
Using a 1 cm seam allowance, sew around all four sides.
Leave an opening approximately 5 to 6 cm wide along one side. This opening will be used to turn the coaster right side out.
3. Trim the Corners
Carefully trim a small amount of fabric diagonally from each corner.
Do not cut through the stitching.
This reduces bulk and helps the corners sit more neatly after turning.
4. Turn the Coaster
Turn the coaster right side out through the opening.
Use your fingers or a blunt tool to gently shape each corner. Take care not to push through the fabric.
Fold the raw edges of the opening inward so they align with the sewn edge.
Press the coaster gently.
5. Attach the Tassels
Before closing the opening, position one tassel at each corner.
Using a hand sewing needle and matching sewing thread, sew each tassel securely to the corner. Pass through the corner several times so the tassel stays firmly attached.
Check that all four tassels point outward and sit at a similar angle.
Attaching the tassels after turning makes it easy to adjust their position and keeps them visible at each corner, just like the sample shown.
6. Close the Opening
Close the remaining opening by hand using a ladder stitch or small invisible stitches.
Knot the thread securely and hide the end inside the coaster.
You may also add a line of topstitching around the entire edge if you would like a flatter and more structured finish, but this is optional.
Your Coaster Is Complete
Your Kaki no Hana sashiko coaster is now ready to use!
The simple white fabric keeps the design light and fresh, while the Tanabata thread and matching tassels add cheerful summer colour.
Use it under a favourite cup, place it beside your craft space, or make a second one as a small handmade gift.
The PDF pattern can also be used for other small projects, such as:
- A fabric patch
- A small pouch
- A pincushion
- A pocket
- A framed sashiko sample
- A set of matching coasters
A Small Stitch for July
Kaki no Hana is a simple pattern, but there is something very satisfying about watching its little flowers appear from rows of straight stitches.
Combined with the colourful Tanabata thread, it becomes a joyful July project that connects a traditional motif with a playful, modern finish.
We hope this free pattern brings a little colour, quiet, and creative time to your summer.
→ [Download the Free Kaki no Hana PDF Pattern]
→ Shop Sashiko Thread Card Thin in Tanabata
→ Explore Sashiko Tools and Materials
If you make your own Kaki no Hana coaster, we would love to see how you choose your fabric, colours, and tassels.
Thank you for stitching with us this July!
Itoma
