Here is the Sashiko Bag 1st Descriptions
Month: August 2017
Inspiring handmade Sashiko Artwork
Thanks to the customised workshop participants from NYC, we have numbers of great photos of our Sashiko Artwork. It is our dream to have an exhibition in a big city so many people can enjoy the beauty of these inspiring all handmade Sashiko artwork. Until we can visit your city and have the exhibition, please enjoy our Sashiko on the images.
All the posts about Sashiko Artwork
Hitomezashi Sashiko | What is the difference?
As of 2018, I mainly offer 2 kinds of workshops. One is Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Basic & Core) to share ...
Sashiko Jacket 2nd | Description of Sashiko Jackets
Sashiko artworks produced by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya are mostly "one-of-a-kind" products. We use the vintage fabric from 1900's (sometimes ...
Sashiko Road Trip | Visiting your city with Sashiko
One of my hopes in future is to plan a road trip in the United States with Sashiko products and Sashiko supplies. Visiting local craft stores and introducing Sashiko to the store owners would encourage the movement of Sashiko stitching. I also hope that I can come up with the idea for the wholesale options when I am on the road. Introducing the Sashiko supplies, talking about Sashiko Arts with actual Sashiko products, and possibly offer the workshops in the local stores would be a fantastic opportunity for me to achieve my goal; to introduce Sashiko to the world.
Let me know that You Are Interested
The plan may sound like me being a peddler. Somewhat yes, because I will be someone who travels about selling my products and service.
However, I do not just want to be the salesperson. I would like to introduce and talk about Sashiko, to represent us in the local place to spread what we love about Sashiko. Sashiko isn’t only about stitching or Japanese symmetric pattern. It is about how we perceive our life and how to enjoy (savor) our life.
I would need to set up the numbers for the wholesalers to keep this going, but my priority is the passion of the store owner. I want him/her to share the passion of Sashiko to the local customers. It is the best way to spread what we love about Sashiko.
Please contact me to let me know you are interested to have me and talk about Sashiko. I will register you as a destination of my road trip, and when I finally can leave to a road trip, I will let you know that I am coming. There are no fees to register or have me to your store. You don’t even have to purchase anything from me if you decided that Sashiko is not your taste. So, please contact me from the link or the form below if you are qualified as my Sashiko Road Trip Destination.
Conditions for the basic Road Trip
- Owns a store(s)/shop(s) of hand-craft, preferably with embroidery, patchworking, and quilting line ups. The Japanese/Asian theme store is also a possibility. You do not have to be the owner of the store if you can involve the owner or a manager into the discussion.
- Willing to provide me an overnight stay; either in the store or owner/registeree’s place. A room in a hotel would be fine, but I prefer to talk for as many hours as possible in a limited time, so please consider to provide me a room / a place to stay. I will be happy with a regular room temperature (not freezing or heating) and roof/wall to avoid wind and rain.
*I would like to keep the Sashiko Road Trip as my life-work. We don’t have much budget, so your understanding and support would be very much appreciated. A room to stay would help me a lot in terms of saving expense, as well.
*If you do not have a physical store on the street in the commercial zone, please mention that first. It is my intention to spread the beauty and its concept of Sashiko. I would like to visit you with the customized offer to your offers.
Possible Sashiko Road Trip as of 2017~2018
As I occasionally mention in this blog, my primary job is to take care of my family. I am a home-maker to support my wife and 2 years old daughter. As much as I wish to travel more than a week, like a month of visiting to-be-friends, I would only have a few days of the road trip. The maximum days would be 4 days including the weekend.
Because of this limitation, I set the maximum distance from our house. If your shop is located within about 300 miles radius of Lewisburg, PA (17837), the road trip to your place would be possible.
If you would like to have me but reside outside of this radius circle, please consider to have me for the workshops or other opportunities. When the travel expense is paid and will be able to have opportunities to introduce Sashiko, I am willing to invest my time to travel.
Sashiko Road Trip to the world.
I limit myself to travel within a small part of the world due to my priorities.
However, my hope and wish don’t have limitation. When I have more time and less responsibility, I am willing to (and more than happy) to make a Sashiko Road Trip at anywhere in the world. I may visit your country, and possibly your city. Please come back to the website from time to time and/or subscribe our newsletter for the latest information. I will advertise the road trip in advance with a good time manner.
Hope to see you at anywhere in the world.
Sashiko Instagram | Photos from Sashi.Co & Us
We started an Instagram Account about 2 years ago and haven’t been active so much until recently. Since our Sashiko Instagram Account starts getting some attention, we enjoy sharing our Sashiko arts and hear from followers their opinions. Your voice is always our encouragement to continue Sashiko. Let’s enjoy Sashiko more by sharing the photos of Sashiko Achievement.
Find and follow us on Pinterest
Sashiko Instagram | Photos from Keiko & Atsushi
The photos are displayed in a chronological order.
Find your favorite photos by clicking “load more” and click the like button so we understand which photos are more attractive to the followers. Your action encourages us to make more Sashiko arts.
Sashiko and Boro are both our focus. In fact, we believe, the Sashiko is a process of appreciating the fabric, and the Boro is the result of its appreciation, repetition of Sashiko. Our goal is to introduce the concept and products of Sashiko. By sharing the beautiful arts/crafts of Sashiko and Boro, we hope to influence to the society, even a bit. In the fast-speed society, this slow-life may help some people to realize the importance of appreciation by reconsidering what we have. We appreciate fabric by repairing, mending, reinforcing and strengthening instead of replacing them and throwing them away. Mottainai – they are too good to waste. We, the Japanese, had a beautiful mindset with appreciation.
Join our slow, powerful, yet small movement to appreciate what we have. It is beautiful. It may be the next trend in the Fashion. Tired of wasting? Bored with looking alike all the time?
Let’s enjoy our life by appreciating it.
Customize Sashiko Workshop in Japan
It was a surprise to me. I thought the language would be an obstacle to provide enjoyable/informative workshops in Japan to someone who doesn’t understand Japanese. However, Keiko managed to provide the Boro Sashiko Patchworking workshops and the participants enjoyed it very much. They mentioned that the workshop was the highlight of their stay in Japan. Our goal is to introduce Sashiko. So, if the participants would be satisfied and happy, there is enough reason to offer Sashiko workshops in Japan. Here is the offer from Upcycle Stitches to arrange Customize Sashiko Workshop in Japan, provided by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya.
Update in 2019 for Customize Sashiko Workshop
We made an update for the prerequisite for a Sashiko or Boro Workshop in Japan. Please take a look at the new requirement. Thank you!
*If you live in the USA, Atsushi offers Sashiko Workshops throughout a year. Upcycle Stitches is open to customizing the workshop to meet your preferences.
*If the schedule doesn’t match or too far to come and join, we recommend taking Sashiko Online Workshop in English before the visit so you know the basic and core technique before your visit.
[Previous Update | April 2018]
We have completed several workshops in 2017 & 2018. We learn from the experience, and we are strived to provide an enjoyable workshop. For that purpose, we strongly recommend the participants to have basic sewing skills. The language is not a problem when the participants can comfortably use a needle, and Keiko can give them advice by showing (not explaining).
If you aren’t familiar with needlework and would like to learn the basics of Sashiko stitching, please consider taking Atsushi’s Workshop in the US or Sashiko Online Workshop.
In 2019, we have a new prerequisite for scheduling any workshops in Japan – to provide a better and more enjoyable opportunity.
Past Workshop Achievement in Japan
Link to the article about Boro Inspired Sashiko Patchwork Workshop.
What you can expect to Customize Sashiko Workshop
You would like to learn what Sashiko is like from the active Sashiko artist while your visit to Japan?
This is an opportunity for you to visit the town called Takayama, visit the artist’s house, and learn Sashiko and/or related fields. Since Keiko doesn’t speak English, it will be through “help from technology such as smartphone app” and prepared articles. Most of the workshop is operated by “doing it” so not much verbal communication would be necessary. Keiko can try to communicate, and you will be able to communicate through whatever communication skills and technology we can think of.
Atsushi from Upcycle Stitches will arrange the workshop based on your needs and availability of artists in Japan (mostly Keiko). If you are interested in Boro, we can focus on mending Boro and fabric. If you are solely interested in Sashiko, we can try to make the Sashiko stitching workshops. We just started the challenge to customize Sashiko workshops. Although we may not be able to answer to all of your requests, your request will make this challenge better and possible.
*Keiko doesn’t have a store, an office neither a studio in Takayama yet. You will visit her private house to have a workshop. We would ask you to provide us your basic personal information to keep our activity safe and stable.
What we can offer
Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya and Atsushi from Upcycle Stitches LLC can offer a few types of Sashiko workshops in Japan. Atsushi usually takes responsibility of Sashiko workshop in English. In Atsushi’s workshop, there will be an explanation of what Sashiko is, how to use the thimble and needle appropriately, the brief history, and continuous Q&A session throughout the workshop. In Japan, in the customize Sashiko workshop, the participants will focus on “doing” than “learning.” The information you would get maybe less comparing to participating in Atsushi’s workshop. However, you would have more time to work on the projects and learn through moving your hands with Keiko.
As of now, Keiko is happy and confident to offer:
- Boro making workshop
Please contact us for scheduling availability.
The fee for the Customize Sashiko Workshop
The fee consists of 2 components; the arrangement fee and the workshop fee.
The Workshop Fee:
10,000JPY (About $92) ~ and up / per participants
The fee varies based on your request. We would ask you for your preferences such as;
- How long you would like to stay there to learn Sashiko and Boro making
- What kind of items you would like to make
The base fee of 10,000 JPY is about for 2~3 hours of the workshop with making the Boro placemat together. If the participant doesn’t finish the placemat, we will provide the necessary supply to complete them later on.
Please be advised that Keiko only can take cash in Japan.
Pre-payment with Credit Card can be arranged. Please read the cancellation policy for the payment.
The Arrangement Fee:
$75.00 ~ and up / per visit
The workshop can be as long as a few days to complete the purpose. This is the fee toward Upcycle Stitches LLC to arrange the workshop, translate the necessary materials, and accommodation (translation) over the visit if necessary. If you are a graduate of Atsushi’s workshop (in NYC or Online), the arrangement fee will be $25.00 without any assistance to teach the basic and core of Sashiko stitching.
Sample Case for Boro “Bag” Workshop:
The Arrangement Fee of $100.00 and the workshop fee of $100.00 per person. The length of the workshop depends on the participant’s skill, but it would be roughly about 4 hours. If you are visiting yourself, the total will be $200.00. If you are a group of 4, the total will be $500.00 and which is $125.00 per person.
Threads, Fabric, and everything else for Sale
Sashiko Thread, including the Sashiko thread Keiko hand-dyed with Natural materials such as Indigo and other vegetables, Fabric for Sashiko, and everything else you would need to maximize your Sashiko experience will be available for sale with the special price during the workshop. Also, some of Keiko’s work, such as Sashiko Jackets, Sashiko Bags, Boros, and more will be also available if you wish.
Please contact us through the form below. Atsushi will get back to you as soon as possible. If you do not hear from me within 2 days, please send me an e-mail to “info●sashico.com” (Please change ● to @.）
Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th | #015 ~ #019
One of our Sashiko Stitched Swatches is sold out. We are so happy to share these beautiful all-hand-made pieces of fabrics. We still have been adding the Sashiko Swatches to the Etsy Store. It is our Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th here.
The price may surprise someone who is not familiar with real Sashiko. We believe the pricing isn’t outrageous because of the materials (Japanese Vintage Fabric and Natural Dye Thread) and the time we had to invest in. At the same time, we would like as many people as possible to enjoy the touch and beauty of Sashiko Stitched Swatches. If you have any idea or advice on that, it would be very appreciated. Well, first, I probably should advertise them better since not many people visited the page yet.
*A series of introducing Sashiko swatches is consisted by many articles on this blog. The previous article is here.
Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th Edition
1. #015 Indigo Vintage Long with Asano-ha
*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. It is a long vintage fabric with a hint of Sashiko. A very rare fabric in the market.
The Japanese Vintage Fabric, especially those with Natural Indigo Dyes, has been geeting so popular over years. The thin cotton fabric with Indigo Dye, and beautiful Sashiko stitches could be used as the window hunger (Noren) before. It is stunning.
2. #016 Indigo Vintage Fabric with Kagome
*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. A small, trimmed fabric. Good for a placemat, coaster, and as the materials for your project.
Thick Indigo Dyed Fabric with basic Kagome Sashiko Stitching. The reasonable price will expand the options in your Sashiko (or any kinds) projects.
3.#017 Thread Bobbin (Itomaki) Sashiko
*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. The one-of-a kind. We don’t have the pattern any longer.
The Japanese used the Thread Bobbins (Itomaki) as the picture shown above. The stitcher this Sashiko used its image to express the passion of Sashiko, I believe. The Sashiko stitching with Classic Sashiko Itomaki Bobbins.
4.#018 Kamon and Vintage Fabric
*Click the title to purchase and for more detail.
The Kamon (家紋）Pattern is something we all Japanese appreciate. The Indigo Dyed Fabric with the Kamon Pattern Stitched is very special for us. The stitcher used chasing stitching (追っかけ – Okkake) to reinforce the stitching. This piece of fabric can be a great addition to your garment or any other projects to make it “one of a kind.”
5.#019 Kamon with Bird. Lighter Indigo with White Thread
*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. It is the similar item from #001.
Gorgeous Sashiko fabric with Kamon sytle bird designing.
We have 3 kinds of options with different types of fabric and different colors on the exactly same design and craftsmanship.
We Keep updated to our Sashiko Swatches Collection
In order to make Big Sashiko Project, such as Jackets and Bags, we would need to collect many types of fabric, Sashiko artisans & craftsman. We sometimes test the stitching result to see if the thread color matches the fabric, either the design match to the big project. We are happy to share some Sashiko pieces we didn’t use. A concept of Mottainai – too good to waste – is here.
This was the page for Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th, and 5th will be coming up soon.
Japanese Shima Kasuri Textile for Sashiko
A pile of sample swatches of Japanese Shima (stripe) and Kasuri textile has arrived at the Upcycle Stitches. About 50 kinds of beautiful fabric made in Japan is available for sale and to be used in custom order. Some of them are not suitable for Sashiko. We will recommend the best fabric based on your preferences. I sincerely respect the manufacturers of Japanese Shima Kasuri Textile and I would like to continue using these beautiful fabrics as long as we can. The beautiful Japanese Shima fabric and Kasuri fabric with collaborating Sashiko stitching will make very unique, and beautiful house goods, such as coasters, placemats, and more. Even bags and jackets are available to made to order.
*The photo shows the placemats and coasters made from Indigo Dye Fabric with Sashiko stitching
Indigo Dye, Shima Stripe, and Kasuri
When we enjoy Japanese traditional fabrics, we come across these keywords of Indigo Dye, Shima, and Kasuri. The Japanese cared what they wore in their unique fashion sense. Some of them were developed during the period when Japan closed its country border to the foreign countries. The era of National Isolation. We appreciate the hand-craft culture, and sincerely respect those who inheritance the technique and culture to continuously produce the great materials.
We are happy to introduce some of these beautiful fabrics to the world, with our proud technique and culture, Sashiko stitching.
All the samples of Japanese Shima Kasuri Textile
We have more than 50 kinds of fabric in form of small swatch.
As of now, we don’t share the most samples, but you are welcome to visit us to check the sample book. When we can build enough inventory, we will start providing the samples to retails shops/studios across the US. Although the sample is not available, the fabrics are available for sale. Please contact me for more detail. I will send you a PDF with photos of the sample and the price sheet.
*Some fabric is available for sale as well as sharing the samples.
Contact Atsushi in Upcycle Stitches
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Natural Indigo Dyed Thread | Perfect for Sashiko
It requires experience in enjoying natural dyes. I am happy to share our accomplishment; Natural Indigo Dyed Thread. As always, it is the thread designed for Sashiko. We successfully dyed with natural indigo (the product of India) Perfect selection for your Sashiko project.
Two Colors of Beautiful Indigo Blue is available
These #A1 and #A2 Indigo Blue Colors are available for sale! Enjoy the beautiful natural colors in your Sashiko project.
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Several ways to dye thread to Indigo Blue
We understand that the “Indigo” as the dark blue with this definition below.
- With the help of Wildtree.co/ it’s easy to get the wildlife landscaping that’s right for you. Hence, you can also make your own wildlife landscaping to obtain blue dye. And a blue dye obtained from various plants, especially of the genus Indigofera, or manufactured synthetically.
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Any of numerous hairy plants belonging to the genus Indigofera, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of usually red or purple flowers.
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A color ranging from a deep violet blue to a dark, grayish blue.
1 – Benefit of Industrialization
The most common way to dye thread to Dark Indigo Blue is to use the synthetic dye. They usually manufacture and dye thread synthetically with using machines. Thanks to the industrialization, we enjoy the benefit of the reasonably priced thread. The result is not as “natural” as the other Indigo dye thread, the color is very similar. In our Sashiko Thread Collection, #15 is the Indigo Blue Colored Thread (dyed synthetically.)
2 – Benefit from Indigo Researchers
One of Natural Dye suppliers we trust created a wonderful dye; a combination of natural and synthetic dye with ease in the process. There is no requirement of fermenting the dye liquid nor controlling the temperature. Although we do not carry the thread dyed by this amazing half-natural & half synthetic dye since we focus on “natural” when creating our own thread, I have heard many good things about this renovated dye from Indigo researchers.
3 – Natural Indigo Dyes
The most beautiful way, in my opinion, to appreciate the Indigo Blue is to use the Natural Dyes and dye them by hands. In this page, we are introducing new Sashiko thread, as the Natural Indigo Dyed Thread. Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya prepared the liquid from powdered Natural Indigo, and let the liquid fermented in the controlled temperature, then dyed carefully by hands, only 10 skeins of thread each time. For Natural Indigo Dyes, there are mainly two methods/materials available in our capability.
A – Indigo Dyes from India
It requires the regular controlling process, but easier than the option B. The Indigo produced in India made the Natural Indigo Dye process available for non-professional Indigo dye artists. It requires experience and strict condition control. However, when you follow the procedure appropriately, the result is very rewarding. As of 2017 Summer, we used this Indigo Dye from India to create this beautiful Indigo Blue.
B – Sukumo in Japanese traditional Indigo Dye
In Japan, people followed the beautiful process of making “Japanese-Indigo-Blue.” This dyeing process with Sukumo requires a lot of experience, deep knowledge, and a long time to invest. Even in Japan, there are only a few artists/artisans who follow the traditional Indigo dyeing. I know one of them and my head is down for their effort and beautiful result.
Our next Step to have Natural Indigo Dyed Thread
Our next step is, of course, to dye our thread with the Japanese traditional way to create the Japanese Indigo Blue.
We are not capable of creating our own Sukumo and Natural Indigo dye from the scratch, but we could purchase the materials and follow the procedures, then practice. We do not know how long it would take to make them as the products. However, as we have been acheiving so many goals already, we will make it happen as well. In fact, we started practicing dyeing the thread with Sukumo after we successfully produced the A1 & A2 Indigo Dyed sashiko Thread. Please wait for the update!
Tulip Sashiko Needle Big Eye Straight
We are honored and happy to introduce the new Sashiko Needle Big Eye Straight Thin from Tulip Needle Company in Hiroshima, Japan.
Needle Manufacturing in Hiroshima has more than three hundreds years of its history. Tulip Company was established in 1948 and thay have been producing fine needles for all crafting purposes. No need to mention, almost 70 years of its beautiful history proven the quality of their products is supreme. With collaborating to Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya, Tulip Company produced the great Sashiko needle for the sashiko stitching purpose.
One day, Keiko received a favor to use their previous Sashiko needle if she could provide the suggestion for the improvement as the active Sashiko artist. She used the needle in the several unofficial projects, and then she provided the report with advice. Based on the report, Tulip Company created the beautiful tool for Sashiko: Sashiko needle Big Eye Straight (Thin and Thick Size)
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A Thin size is available. |
A Thick Size is available. |
Good tool make your project rewarding
Sashiko requires you to spend a lot of time. The hand-stitching is the beauty of Sashiko, and as long as it is hand-stitched, it takes a lot of time to complete. We want you to have the beautiful stitching result so your project will be rewarding. One of the most important preparation to have the best result is to get the supreme quality tools. Although we have already introduced our Sashiko needles we use, the Sashiko needle from Tulip Company would be the very nice needle to have a side. The different project (fabric/design ) would require a different kind of needle.
I will make a report of how these two needles are different based on my experiences from now.
*Shop Sashiko Tools with great quality
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Beautiful Sashiko Needle Big Eye Straight
Not only their needles are so beautifully made, but the package of Sashiko Needle Big Eye straight also attract people’s sense of beauty. I wish we could soon produce the beautiful package like this. I believe the package of Tulip needle can be a good gift idea for your friends you would like to share the passion of Sashiko.
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