Materials & Tools
Stitching thread
Although some are commercially available as threads for kogin, you can use embroidery thread No. 25 as a substitute. In addition, it may be used as a stitching thread by adjusting the volume and color tone of yarn by using other yarns and lame threads or winding the yarn to increase or decrease the number of single yarns.
Cloth
You can use any cloth as long as it is a plain weave cloth with roughness that can read grids of the cloths. The embroidery cloth called “Congress” that is produced by Olympus seems to be mainstream in Japan. Linen, which consists of 10 warps per square centimeter and 7-8 weft threads, is used in traditional Kogin-zashi. And, since the density of the weft yarn of the cloth is low, the pattern becomes a little longer than the design. Attention must be paid to the difference in the completed image.
Needle
Use a needle with a rounded tip that allows you to pick up the fabric smoothly.
The needle for kogin is longer than ordinary sewing needles, so it may be difficult to use for those with small hands or those who are new to it. For beginners, we recommend the yarn binding needle for knitting. Because it is thick and the needle tip is not sharp, it can be firmly gripped without getting caught in the fabric, so you can pick up the fabric more accurately and make a pattern.
Other, it is also good if you choose it with sweden embroidery needle, cross stitching needle etc., with your own useable length.
Sewing thimbles
When sewing with a long needle, it is very convenient to hold the needle with a counter thimble on the middle finger to support the advancing needle.
Use the middle finger of the hand holding the needle as shown below, with the plate on the palm side.
Hold the needle so that the bottom of the needle hits the plate.
Sew like pressing the needle with the plate.
When stitching with a long needle it is very convenient to use a thimble. It is support the advancing needle.
Besides, please prepare scissors, marked chakopen and ruler, grid paper for drawing, etc. as appropriate.