Kogin Circle 2025[11]

◆ Kogin Circle 2025 [11] June Activity Introduction I'm feeling anxious that the club activities will end before I can update, so I'll quickly take a look back at June! I apologize to all members for the late update, as there are many of you who don't use Instagram on a daily basis.

◆Items shared on circle accounts in June As more and more members join in on co-posting (a system where the same posts appear on both your own Instagram account and your circle's account), I believe that with each new member, it gives members a sense of security, and as the number of photos shared with members increases, it makes you feel like "maybe I'll try holding a pin" (this is just my opinion). I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to the circle members who were the first to join in on co-posting. Co-posting also helped liven up our accounts in June.

[018] Questions from members (June 2nd)
What do you do when you stitch with different colors of thread? I've been experimenting with the order of stitching and how to handle the thread...
▶ We were blessed with members who shared their experiences, such as "changing the color for each modoko..." and "when matching colors on vertical modoko, it's easier to manage the thread on the back if you don't care about the horizontal..." and it was a joyous sight for me as an administrator to see them communicate with each other after sharing their current situation and saying "I'll try again." I also commented, "Imagine stitching in one stroke," but it would be nice to be able to explain these things with a photo. This is where running a circle on Instagram can be a bit difficult, but the desire to somehow communicate in words is also fun.

[019] Questions from members (June 11th)
I keep making mistakes and my problem is that the design never turns out as planned. I'd like to know if there are any tips to avoid making mistakes.
▶This comment was met with many sympathetic comments. Someone also suggested looking at the back. I also commented that "it's easier to notice mistakes if you look at it from the back." This point about noticing mistakes was something I talked about in a previous workshop, and we got excited talking about it. While it's impossible to avoid making mistakes, it's good to find ways to notice them early on! Haha. Personally, I thought this could be explained using the brain or visually, so I asked an AI. Of course, the AI's answers aren't guaranteed to be correct, but I thought it would be interesting to share some of them.

1. The brain's "pattern completion"
The human brain automatically tries to complete familiar patterns.
The front side of Kogin embroidery has a clear "pattern," so even if there is a slight misalignment, the brain interprets it as the "correct pattern." On the other hand, the back side has an uneven pattern, so it is difficult for the brain to complete the difference, and even a slight misalignment stands out as "discomfort."
▶ Kogin embroidery has a matching pattern on the back as well, but since most of the time spent on Kogin is spent looking at the front, I personally agree with the idea of ​​"complementing." It's similar to when you come to a new city and look carefully at everything, and I thought that when you look at the back, it would be like waking up.

2. Visual "contrast effect"
In Kogin embroidery, the regularity of the threads arranged along the grain of the fabric is emphasized as a pattern on the front, and stands out as a disruption of the regularity on the back.

3. How to direct your attention
When looking at the front, your attention is drawn to the "pattern as a whole." When looking at the back, your attention is drawn to "each individual thread," making it easier to spot small mistakes.

4. "Check balance" unique to handcrafted work
When it comes to sashiko and weaving, artisans sometimes check for imperfections by looking at the back. Because there is no room for lies on the back, it serves as a checkpoint for measuring the accuracy of the finished product.

To summarise:
Table → The brain automatically completes the pattern → It is difficult to notice the mistake
Back → Simple thread flow → Misalignment is noticeable and it is easy to feel uncomfortable

I think it's important to look behind the scenes so you don't notice your mistakes later! At the same time, I sometimes feel lazy and think that if my brain can complete the pattern for me, it's okay to make a few mistakes. Lol. Thank you to all the members who asked questions and answered, for giving me a fun experience of thinking.

Share the answer to question [017] (June 11th)
(I want to stitch softly, but I don't know how much tension to apply to the thread. Also, I'm using too much pressure, and when I keep stitching, the part where I hold the needle hurts. I'd like to learn the correct way to thread, and how to use a thimble. Is there anything I do to ensure the thread doesn't get distorted or twisted and creates a nice stitch?)
▶︎She gave practical advice and shared her experiences. Her easy-to-understand expression, "I stitch as if I'm placing the thread on the fabric," was very easy to understand!

[020] Questions from members (June 17th)
Up until now, I have used kits with pre-designed patterns in workshops, so it is difficult to come up with my own design, but it is fun.
(Additional information from the administrator below) I would be happy if you could give me any comments or tips on how to come up with original designs!
▶Thank you for sharing your assignments from the Kogin embroidery class, sharing kits, and giving concrete actionable advice and experiences. The members who commented this time are always generous in sharing their information and experiences, and their contributions to the circle's question posts are immense. Thank you as always. I look forward to your continued support. And thank you to everyone who responded to each question with a "Like!" The more communication there is, the denser and more active the circle becomes, and the more people ask and answer questions they want to know, the more value it gains. I hope that by December, we'll be a circle that doesn't want to disband.

[021] Questions from members (June 30th)
I'd be curious to know everyone's preferences about thread/needles/fabric. I'm always amazed at the variety of objects available in Japan while I have very little choice in France (even though I see that a lot of people use DMC threads, but it can get expensive !).
And also, how to turn pieces into usable accessories, I've put some small patterns on pins and I found it fascinanting how some people can make purses, bags, or clothes like obi belts using kogin fabric.

(Japanese translation)
I'd love to hear about what kind of threads, needles, and fabrics you normally use. I'm always amazed at the sheer number of different tools available in Japan. On the other hand, in France, there aren't as many options... Many people use DMC thread, but it's a bit pricey.
I'm also interested in how the works are made into practical accessories. I have tried making small designs into pin badges, but when I see people using Kogin-zashi fabric to make bags, clasps, obi sashes and other clothing items, I am truly impressed and impressed by how wonderful it is.
▶ This was a question from a member living in France. We have a certain number of members living outside of Japan, and securing materials is one of the major issues. A member living in Toronto shared his experiences and shared comments about materials available overseas and the works he has made, as well as comments from members living in Japan. As I myself live abroad, I would like to tackle this issue in 2026.

Due to the administrator's vacation schedule, there were fewer questions posted in July and August, but we plan to share them here as soon as possible.

◆How to join the circle・If you have an Instagram account: @koginsurukai2025
Follow the circle account ▶︎Account here ※This account is private to ensure safety and security. If any suspicious behavior is observed, you will be blocked immediately.
・If you do not have an Instagram account/if you are participating without using Instagram:
Please send the following information to the email address below: 1) Your name (last name or first name), 2) Your favorite mod, 3) What you would like to challenge, 4) Any questions or concerns (optional if none).
Satonobo email address: satonobou0515@gmail.com

For safety reasons, please be sure to introduce yourself beforehand.

◆Related articles
Enjoying Kogin Embroidery Patterns 1

◆Reference materials (PDF materials)
Aomori Prefectural Museum's 1976 "Sashikogin and Diamond Embroidery" PDF page → Click here for PDF page
Please check the PDF in a computer or other environment where you can read it.

▶️Materials Research Blog
▶️Shop (currently being adjusted)
▶︎Digital data sales of PDF kit designs and instructions
・Hinamatsuri 2022 minne sales page
・Gentle-faced goldfish Nebuta minne sales page
・Bold-faced Goldfish Nebuta minne sales page
▶︎Goldfish Nebuta Kit (Full Set) koginbank Online Shop
▶️Instagram (We share the simplicity and fun of Kogin embroidery through videos, etc.)
 
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