Nippon Colors vs Sashiko

Nippon Colors is a carefully curated collection of traditional Japanese colors that have been used across centuries in literature, kimono textiles, painting, and a wide range of traditional crafts. These colors reflect the aesthetic sensitivity and seasonal awareness deeply embedded in Japanese culture. Many of the color names are derived from the natural world—plants, flowers, minerals, and animals—whose tones or symbolic meanings inspired their use. Some hues and dyeing techniques can be traced as far back as the Asuka and Heian periods, while others were refined or introduced during the Edo and Meiji periods with the rise of synthetic dyes. Due to the long and diverse history of these color traditions, slight variations in hue and naming may exist across eras and regions. A number of the names also have roots in classical Chinese culture, whose sophisticated hierarchical color system influenced Japan’s own aesthetic developments. In addition to exploring color history, Nippon Colors now includes Saizō, a creative atelier feature powered by AI. Saizō allows you to transform your personal photos into Japanese-style digital artworks using only authentic traditional colors. Each image is securely processed, with all original and generated data deleted after the generation session ends. Note: ■ Swipe left or right to switch colors. ■ Double tap to add a color to the Palette. ■ Swipe up or long press on the main screen to access the main menu, where you can explore all Nippon Colors, manage your Palettes, and enter the Color Atelier.

Turn a photo or idea into a project you can stitch. Sashiko brings embroidery patterns, knitting charts, fabric and thread choices, animated needle guides and printable designs together on your iPhone. FROM PHOTO TO PATTERN Import a photo or illustration, choose the subject and review the result. Create a running-stitch outline, colour-fill embroidery design or knitting chart. Refine the design, match threads or yarns and preview the stitches. On supported devices, you can prepare artwork in Image Playground before converting it. DESIGN YOUR OWN Create grid patterns, edit stitch routes and adjust dimensions, spacing and colours. Paint and refine knitting charts, set the gauge and repeats, and carry your edits through to previews, guides and exports. CHOOSE YOUR MATERIALS Browse branded fabric, embroidery thread and yarn collections by colour family, shade code and material details. Record your own supplies with a name and colour, then add fibre, measurements and notes. Choose materials for a swatch and carry them into a new pattern. Keep those selections in saved designs and exported material lists. FIND A PATTERN TO START Explore 20 free sashiko patterns. An optional one-time Sashiko pattern book purchase unlocks 50 more, including nine original geometric designs. Browse before buying and use the bundled patterns offline. Selected patterns include background stories and source links. FOLLOW THE NEEDLE Watch animated stitch routes, compare the front and back, and mark your progress. Try the first three stitch lessons free. The optional Complete stitch course provides step-by-step films with playback speed and subtitle controls. Downloaded films can be watched offline. PRINT AND SHARE Export actual-size transfer charts for A4 or US Letter, needle steps and pattern specifications. Share knitting charts, material lists, previews and editable designs. Print at 100% and check the scale before transferring to fabric. Export PES files for compatible Brother embroidery machines, check the selected hoop size and include a thread list. Convert knitting swatches to cross-stitch embroidery using your gauge and repeat settings. KEEP YOUR PLACE Save projects, reference photos, notes and stitching progress on your device. Keep reusable designs in My patterns. Saved patterns, attached reference images and favourites sync through your private iCloud account when available. No app account is required. Core design and export tools work offline. Image Playground requires a supported device. Video downloads and iCloud syncing require an internet connection. The Sashiko pattern book, each themed book and the full stitch course are separate in-app purchases. Available in English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese and Thai. THEMED EMBROIDERY BOOKS Choose Flowers, Plants, Animals & Insects, Food, Objects or Decorative Motifs: six books with 73 different patterns. Each book is a separate one-time purchase and includes previews, transfer diagrams and written stitch references. Browse, buy and read purchased books in Shop, including offline access after installation. FREE CREATION PLANS Explore four free wave studies under Advanced, with finished references, stitched swatches, guides and printable transfers. Find the free Cat Christmas Tree starter kit in My patterns, with a palette, practice sampler and editable design. The wave studies are suggested plans and have not been physically stitch-tested. YOUR PERSONAL LIBRARY Save 10 personal patterns and 20 swatches free. Separate one-time purchases unlock unlimited saved patterns or unlimited saved swatches. You can always open, edit and export existing saved work.