Tortoise Shell Sashiko Template

Tortoise Shell Sashiko Template will give you the confidence to draw the tortoise shell (Kikko) sashiko pattern with accuracy and ease.

This stencil will allow you to mark the perfect stitch length for tortoiseshell onto fabric—simply mark your fabric with a bohin pencil or fine point chalk pencil in the spaces provided. You’ll never again need to guess the number of stitches required for the best outcome.

Tortoise Shell Sashiko Template is available in the following sizes

• 4½” square (11.45cm²)
• 8½” square (21.6cm²)

The template is thick enough to use as a ruler, allowing you to cut perfectly square sashiko blocks. It’s so easy to get creative and draw any number of tortoise shell pattern variations—create your own kikko design unique to you.  If you need to refresh the design, just place your stencil back over the fabric and re-do.

Measurement markers are displayed on the template so you can enlarge the pattern to suit your project.

About the pattern

Tortoise Shell, or ‘kikko’, is a traditional Japanese geometric pattern, and you’ll find many variations of the kikko pattern in sashiko and one stitch sashiko. Sashiko designs date back to Edo period Japan, and tend to be symbolic, drawn from nature, or a combination of the two.

Read more about the history of sashiko patterns here.