cover image The Ultimate Kogin Collection: Projects and Patterns for Counted Sashiko Embroidery

The Ultimate Kogin Collection: Projects and Patterns for Counted Sashiko Embroidery

Susan Briscoe. Sewandso, $24.99 (128p) ISBN 978-1-4463-0732-8

Textile designer Briscoe (The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook) devotes this beautiful but less than accessible volume to the traditional Japanese needlework art, for which she provides more than 200 patterns and projects. While the book gives an excellent introduction to the history of Kogin , traced back to the late 18th century on the island of Honshu, and plenty of illustrations of the finished designs, it lacks the detailed, step-by-step instructions that would have made it invaluable to neophytes. Kogin, a technique of counting and repeating stitches, was originally used to add embroidery to clothing for added warmth during the winter, and it is now used decoratively as a way to create intricate patterns. Unfortunately, the intricacy of the designs here will be difficult for beginners to follow without more instructions or explanatory photographs. Instead, the book concentrates on the construction of projects that will showcase the finished embroidery, such as greeting cards, coin purses, and table runners. Confirmed Kogin enthusiasts will be pleased with this well-illustrated book, but newcomers to the craft will need to look elsewhere for a more detailed introduction. (July)