Sewing Adventures – Sashiko Kinchaku or Rice Bag

For some time now ‘ve been enjoying the meditative quality of sashiko stitching. It’s enjoyable and fun to embrace the joy of stitching with the knowledge that it doesn’t have to be perfect to work. Mostly I use pre printed panels to stitch on as they make it even easier to be a project you can take with you anywhere. Upside is ease, downside is what to do with the panels once they have been stitched?

So far I’ve turned panels into placemats, coasters and now I’ve combined pre printed panels and boro stitching together to make a kinchaku or rice bag.

The original pattern is from BeBeBold and meant to be quite a bit smaller than the one here. But I didn’t want to cut down my pre printed panels so I supersized the pattern to create this.

Construction wise it’s a square bottom and 4 rectangular sides (same for the lining) all sewn together and pulled through an opening in the lining to end up fully lined. After closing the internal opening up these nifty little plastic hooks were added to the outside. The plastic has a U shape that slides down over the top edge of the fabric. A metal nail is then inserted into the hole of the plastic hook, through the fabric, through another hole on the other side of the plastic hook and out again. Bashing it down and flat with a mallet ensured it stays in place and there is no pointy bit to scratch your hands as you enter and exit the bag.

Waxed cotton cord is then thread through from either end to create a double sided drawcord. It really was a super simple make and I love the final shape it’s so lovely. I can’t wait to make some more!

Pattern: from BeBe Bold

Fabrics: Sashiko panels and mixed indigo pack, waxed cord and plastic loops from BeBe Bold. Japanese cat fabric (internal) from Pitt Trading

Alterations: this is a super big bag and I think I’d like to make one in a smaller size too?