Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop Making Space

Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop | Making Space

We are very excited to announce that Atsushi will offer the Sashiko Stitching Workshop at the “Making Space“, which is operated by a well-known Fashion Brand, Eileen Fisher. Yes. This is an announcement of Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop by Atsushi Futatsuya.

 

The participants will learn all the basic to enjoy Sashiko Stitching and will be able to use some Eileen Fisher Fabric swatches to enjoy Sashiko on. The participants may bring their own Eileen Fisher Garments to add Sashiko stitching or Sashiko Stitched Swatch on.

The concept of Making Space is to create a community where people can gather. It is my honor to be part of this movement, and we sincerely appreciate the generosity of Eileen Fisher to let me offer the workshop with the reasonable pricing. It will be a great opportunity for you to learn Sashiko, in a beautiful location in Brooklyn, with surrounded by their beautiful products.

 

Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop Fabric

*Please refer to the blog post to understand what Sashiko is.

 

Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop in October

 

Please purchase the ticket through their “Making Space Eventbrite” Page.

 

Location: MAKING SPACE – BROOKLYN

47 Bergen Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

 

 

Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop Location Brooklyn

 

Reuse the Garment. Synchronize the Sashiko we respect.

After I received an invitation to offer the Sashiko Workshop at Making Space, I studied about Eileen Fisher as a Fashion Brand. Well, as a male from Japan, I didn’t know of Eileen Fisher before. The first message I learned from their website is “to Care”, in which I value the most in a process of sharing the culture of Sashiko.

Eileen Fisher Renew

https://www.eileenfisher.com/renew

 

Sashiko was originally developed in a survival purpose. They had to use the needle and thread to survive through the severe winter. In modern society, in the developed countries, almost no one need to use the needle and thread to survive the winter. In fact, the social issue rises from the other side of mending: wasting.

The reason Keiko and I started a project called Sashi.Co is to “bring a life back to the beautiful yet not-used Japanese (vintage) fabric.” By doing Sashiko stitching, the vintage fabric gets stronger and more durable with interesting patterns. Patchworking (=connecting) these unique individual vintage fabric give the fabric another life. Keiko tells fabric, “We will bring you back to the main stage, again.” We define the main stage as the “ordinary days”. The stage we have in our mind is not a fashion stage with many spotlights. It is merely an ordinary day where a person can wear.

 

Resuing the garment to produce something new.

Using the needle and thread, making Sashiko stitching to repurpose the garment.

Upcycling what we already have with appreciation.

 

I am happy that I can offer what I am proud of (Sashiko) in such a great space.

 

 

More information Coming. More stories I would like to tell.

 

When I started my own Sashiko project, Upcycle Stitches, I had a great opportunity to talk to the students at FIT. Since I wasn’t ready to face to the future fashion stars, I probably gave them strange answers, which probably include some of the disappointment. Well… I wasn’t really ready to share my opinion about the fashion waste and potential pollution. It was (and probably still is) too big to answer.

 

However, I met many people who “Care” as I do.

It is another reason I started our Youtube Channel to share what we do. The event of “Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop” is a beginning of another journey to me. I will study more about their concepts, and I will connect and synchronize what we believe in. More stories are coming up. The “Eileen Fisher x Sashiko Workshop” continues.

 

 

Japan Society NYC x Sashiko Workshop

Japan Society NYC x Sashiko Workshop | follow Up

Thank you very much for being a part of a great evening, Japan Society NYC x Sashiko Workshop by Atsushi Futatsuya. It is our very first challenge to share Sashiko stitching to so many people. We usually have a workshop for the size of 6 to 12 participants… so yes, it was something great for me. I hope you had received a message for my passion of Sashiko, and introductory technique of beautiful Sashiko stitching.

For those who signed up with your email for the follow-up email, please expect to receive the email from Atsushi by 10/5. If you do not receive anything from Atsushi, the email may be in your spam box, or I misread the email itself. In that case, please contact me from here.

 

Missed Japan Society NYC x Sashiko Workshop ?

 

I have received several emails that they, unfortunately, couldn’t participate in this Japan Society NYC x Sashiko Workshop.

Do not worry. With increasing of the demand, I am planning to have another Online Sashiko Workshop (Core & Basic) as well as creating a downloadable video of “how to make Sashiko Coaster” which I covered in this Sashiko Workshop at Japan Society NYC.

In order to accomplish my goal, I still feel that “On Live Workshop” is a necessary step to teach how to do Sashiko with the specific thimble and the Sashiko needle. I understand that the needs for “Video – which you can watch and learn anytime” is huge. However, the key to learning the appropriate posture is me continuously checking (not judging) your posture and position of needle and thimble.

If you are interested in this Live – Small grouped Online Workshop, please fill out the form below. Once I find the similar preference and request, I will contact you to set up the workshop.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_FhpQGLrkh1wZInl4e-uz_uu0GDJrQKPG952TR2UYL_XB7g/viewform?usp=sf_link

 

 

Sashiko is not about being Right or Wrong

 

I hope I delivered this message in the workshop: There is no such a thing as Right Sashiko and Wrong Sashiko. Meanwhile, I make another video of how to make the coaster, and/or how to do Sashiko, please watch other “Live Streaming” and previous Tutorials on our Youtube Channel. Try to learn what you would like to learn. It is not a rule or regulations you need to follow. I simply share the technique and concept which may enrich your Sashiko experience.

I will also keep sharing “Stories” about Sashiko. The subscribers of the channel made me realize that “I have a lot of stories to tell.”

 

 

 

Following Sashiko Workshop

Upcycle Stitches LLC offers “Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Core & Basic)” with collaborating to respected organizations which share the similar concepts and values. Since “introducing Sashiko” is my current goal, most of the workshop I offer in 2018 are the basic and core workshop.

 

In Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Core & Basic), I cover the similar materials to the introductory workshop at Japan Society.

I will teach:

  • How to use the thimble and the needle
  • How to move the needle and making Sashiko running stitches
  • Using the similar Asano-ha pattern to make a tote bag (I do not teach how to make a tote bag.)
  • Introductory of Sashiko & its concept

Sashiko Workshop Tote

The biggest difference is that I will make sure that the participant “get comfortable to” the running stitch including how to hold the needle, fabric, and using the thimble. I will stand next to the participant, touch her/his hands if necessary, reposition the hands and posture. I will not give up even the participant gives up. From my experience, it takes about 2~3 hours to get used to the Sashiko running stitch.

If you aren’t 100% sure how to use the thimble and needle, these basic & core workshops should be a great workshop to make sure what you have learned. The class size is about 6 to 9. A lot of individual attention for every participant in the workshop.
Also, I will cover the following:
  • How to prepare the fabric (transferring patterns / how to draw patterns)
  • Sashiko running stitch with rhythm.
  • What kind of materials are the best
  • Upcycling the fabric with Sashiko | Especially with Eileen Fisher garment if you have one
  • Difference between Sashik0 and Boro | which I covered a bit in Japan Society Workshop.
  • How to stitch different patterns | brief explanation.
  • Unlimited questions within 4 hours and you will get enough answers because of the class size of 9 maximum.
If the participant is comfortable with using thimble and needle as I instructed at the introductory workshop, I can accept him/her for the advanced workshop AFTER checking his/her stitching over the video. Please send me a video of stitching so I can decide if you follow the instruction. However, unfortunately, without my permission after watching the video, the “introductory workshop” will not satisfy the prerequisite to the other (advanced) workshop I offer.  It is simply because I need to make sure that everyone is comfortable and understood how to use them when I do advanced workshops. I cannot confirm it in the introductory workshop because of the class size, so the person would need to show me if they got the information appropriately and practice it, or need to take the basic & core workshop to “master” the Sashiko Stitching.
I hope the explanation above is clear for the future Sashiko Workshops.
Sashiko Updates Fall 2018

Sashiko Updates Fall 2018 | New Project & Workshops

I cannot believe it is almost the end of September already. It has been quite eventful early autumn for us. Here is a quick Sashiko Updates Fall 2018 to share what is going on with us. Remember, the best way to connect with us is through Instagram & Youtube Channel. I will share more “Stories” based on your request.

 

New Project!| Sashiko Updates Fall 2018 Vol.1

My passion for Sashiko got certain when I started enjoying Sashiko Mending. I have done quite many Sashiko Denim Mending and found myself without any denim jeans to mend. I didn’t touch the denim for a long time. Then, I realize, I would like to work on the denim. It is not my first choice to cut the fabric out of necessity, for the “repurposing” purpose instead of “mending”, I decided to try the new project. Cut and Patch back the denim with Sashiko Stitching all over.

It is my main project on Instagram & Youtube Live streaming. I hope I can complete the project by the end of October… It will be something new, and hopefully something to inspire some of you.

 

Sashiko Updates Fall 2018

 

Sashiko Workshop| Sashiko Updates Fall 2018 Vol.2

Thanks to many supporters, I can continue offering the Sashiko Workshops. Here is the overview of my workshop schedules.

(Updated: September 27th)

 

September

 

November

 

December

 

Online Sashiko Workshop

I am working on scheduling with the preferences from potential participants. Your feedback with preference will help me to schedule it in October or November.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_FhpQGLrkh1wZInl4e-uz_uu0GDJrQKPG952TR2UYL_XB7g/viewform?usp=sf_link

 

 

 

Sashiko Stories| Sashiko Updates Fall 2018 Vol.3

 

It was a nice surprise that people are interested in my stories regarding Sashiko. An interesting childhood with Sashiko, I kind of had a barrier that not many people wouldn’t like to listen to my stories related to Sashiko. If someone is waiting for me, I will enjoy updating my stories on Youtube Channel. If you have any topics you would like me to cover, please leave the comment here so I can talk about it as a “Sashiko Story”.

 

Sashiko Follow Up Cover JS

Sashiko Follow Up | For Sashiko Workshop Graduates

In 2018, I offer Sashiko Workshops in different locations by collaborating with honorable organizations and groups of beautiful people. If you have taken one of Atsushi’s Sashiko Workshops (Full Length of more than 3 hours – maybe named Core, Basic, and/or traditional), and have not received an email for the Sashiko Follow Up within 5 business days, please contact me from here. I will send you the Sashiko Follow Up email with many follow up materials accordingly.

If you haven’t received any emails within a few business days after the workshop, something went wrong on my side like a typo in the email address in such. For those who take the workshop in TriBeCa, organized and programmed by Upcycle Stitches, you should get the “Sashiko Follow Up email” the next day (or even the same day).

 

Thank you for coming to the Sashiko Workshop!

 

Sashiko Follow Up

The follow-up email consists of very useful information including one-time free shipping coupon. I want you to be informed. So please do not miss the opportunity if you have taken our full-length Sashiko Workshop.

If you are a graduate of “introductory Sashiko Workshop” like the one I offered at the Japan Society in September 2018, you will also receive the same follow-up emails with follow-up materials. However, please be advised that the these introductory Sashiko workshop will not fulfill the prerequisite for our advanced Workshops. We offer & run our advanced workshops based on the fact that every participant is capable of using the round-shape thimble and the Sashiko long needle.

To learn (master) more of Sashiko stitching, please consider taking in our full-length Sashiko Workshop.

Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Core & Basic)

Alternatively, you can send me a video of your Sashiko stitching so I may give you the qualification (fulfillment of prerequisite) prior to the other workshops. Please refer to this blog post to understand the difference between the Full-Time Sashiko Workshop & Introductory Sashiko WOrkshop.

 

We want you to continue Sashiko

 

As I mentioned in the workshop, my goal is to keep encouraging you to continue this enjoyable journey. A Sashiko follow up email is a great introduction & summary of what we had shared. I would love to be connected with you who learned not only the technique of Sashiko but also the appreciative culture behind it.

Keep in touch, and let me know if there is anything we can do for your Sashiko life.

 

 

Share your photos

Please share photos of your Sashiko accomplishment over the email. I would love to share the alumni’s work online so the new learner will learn what they can expect. Also, if you have photos from the workshop, please share them with me, too. As you may have noticed, I barely stop moving during the workshop. I always try to take photos and end up with forgetting about it. It would be very appreciated if you could share your good memory with me as well as the others who are interested in Sashiko.

For the Instagram, please use the hashtag of #azussashikoworkshop

 

 

See you soon online & somewhere in the world

 

It would be lovely to see you again, somewhere in the world, or simply online. I have an Instagram account and Youtube Channel, which both share some live-streaming. It is our sincere hope that you will continue the Sashiko stitching, or apply Sashiko stitching to your hand-stitching (hand-sewing) life.

 

Enjoy Sashiko!

Atsushi Futatsuya

 

Support Sashiko Cover

Support Sashiko | Not only technique but Mindset

Sashiko is a form of simple stitching developed in Japan. The technique itself is pretty simple. Sashiko become popular because of its simplicity. However, what I want to share as a Sashiko Artisan, who is native Japanese born in the surviving Sashiko family, is not only the stitching of Sashiko, but it is the mindset of Japanese people so-called “Japanese culture”. While I was talking to the supporters who keep encouraging me, we came up with one word I wouldn’t come up with by myself. “I would like to educate the society by sharing the culture of Sashiko”. We offer Sashiko art, supplies, workshop, and much more. Thanks to the many Support, Sashiko can be alive in 2018. This is a blog post, asking for your “Support Sashiko” contribution to our activities.

I moved to the USA in 2014. In 2017, I started a business named Upcycle Stitches and started sharing Sashiko.

Upcycle Stitches LLC is here thanks to many people who supported me. The business activities hugely depend on the people’s goodwill of “Support Sashiko & Atsushi”. The company is a for-profit legal entity to provide Sashiko art, items, supplies, workshops, and much more, but the support would be very much appreciated to continue our activities.

For example, the Sashiko Workshops we offer in NYC, we wouldn’t be able to offer the workshops with the same pricing & the small class sizing (About 6 participants for each 3+α workshop) without support from our dear friend, Sharon & her family. I live far from NYC and I would like to share the top quality supplies from Japan. In order to achieve our dream in NYC, the support I get from her was the necessary piece of the puzzle.

There are many ways you may support Sashiko & our activities as Upcycle Stitches. Please let me share the methods you may support Sashiko by. We would like to focus on creating more Sashiko items (Arts & Crafts) to inspire the world. Education is another part we would like to focus. We would like to teach and share the technique and culture of beautiful Sashiko. When we need to focus on “Creation and Education”, there are not much left for business activities such as price negotiation or dispute resolution… When I offer the workshop, I always focus on the participants’ satisfaction, yet some people prefer the price over the contents they get.

One day, when we have enough support, I would like to disclose everything we do online. It hugely depends on the wish of supporters, but to make Sashiko “open-source” is another dream I have. Your support moves us toward the goals. I sincerely appreciate your time and your goodwill.

Share articles (videos) and tell people about us.

This is the most important support that I would ask. Please share our activities via Upcycle Stitches & Keiko’s work, Sashi.Co.

You can share the blog posts you liked on SNS. Or you may share the video with your quilting guild where people share a similar passion. You may talk about Sashiko & our activities when you are stitching with your friends. Our goal is to share the beauty & mindset of Sashiko. The more people know about what we do, the closer we are reaching our dream.

Please feel free to use the logo to introduce us.

Purchase Sashiko Supply & Art from us

Sashiko is getting popular in the world. When something becomes popular, many “dealers” jump into the market and start providing the related products. As I wrote a blog post before, I want you to be a “Smart Customer | Know who you are buying from” to support Sashiko. Most of the shops & stores respect Sashiko and I respect them. However, I see the number increasing those who sell just Sashiko item without the deep understanding of Sashiko and its culture.

We carefully choose the suppliers in Japan, which hugely contribute to the Sashiko culture. The quality of our supplies and items are the supreme. We guarantee the best and good satisfaction. When you have a choice, please consider using our stores or parter’s websites.

[In the USA | Domestic Shipping]

Upcycle Stitches Online Store

Upcycle Stitches Etsy Store

[Respected Partners for Non-USA orders]

Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya

Indigo Niche Australia

Provide Atsushi a place to do the Workshop or talking

*As of 2019, thanks to many supporters in 2018, we would like to focus on creative activities. Therefore, we may not be able to answer your offer. We will accept the offer to be a lecturer in your workshop, class or event. Regardless, your offer for a place toward the future is very much appreciated. Thank you so so much.

Meeting new friends with a passion for Sashiko is the best way to share what Sashiko is.

Please consider providing me and Upcycle Stitches a place to have Sashiko Workshops and/or Sashiko talking. When you offer me a place to do so for a free of charge, Upcycle Stitches will take care of arranging the workshop & creating the registration pages. We may ask you for helping us by advertising mouth to mouth or newsletters, but we will take care of most of the part. It would be so great if you could provide me with a place to stay if the location is far from Central PA. A room under a roof would be just enough.

If you or your organization would like to have me for your business. meetings, events, and other commercial activities, please read the article regarding the fees and condition here. I am happy to adjust my workshop to your need. However, please respect the Sashiko culture.

Some individuals and organizations have provided me a place to do so for free of charge, like Sharon I introduced above. If sharing your goodwill to the public help to increase your brand name, I am happy to spend some of my time. I would like to return the support to the precious support I received.

Private Sashiko Workshop | Bring Sashiko to your group.

Be a Patron via Patreon Website

As you know, Sashiko is a hand-stitching craft.

Yes. Everything is hand-stitched and it takes so much time. As much as we would like to spend all of the time stitching & educating, we sometimes need to work for the instant cash to pay the bills. Our first goal is to spend all of our available time in Sashiko instead of working at a part-time job to go through life.

We would like to make more Sashiko arts & craft, film ourselves in the camera to share more stories about Sashiko, establish the tutorial materials to share & educate people. Your support, as low as $1.00 per month, can help us out to spend more time in Sashiko.

https://www.patreon.com/sashiko

Send Upcycle Stitches a Donation

Although it isn’t my intention to ask this in the first place, money (or fabric when we are in need) Donation to our business, Upcycle Stitches, would be very much appreciated. Any form of one-time and/or recurrent donation (Paypal, Check, anything) will be used toward the donator’s will. For example, If a person would like me to use the money toward live-streaming in English, I would purchase the better Webcam for better video filming and such.

Please contact me for the donation here.


Support Sashiko as the Art

Because of a few reasons, mainly the concept of “Sashiko was an ordinary technique for the ordinary Japanese”, I didn’t consider Sashiko as the Art. Therefore, asking for the support (including donation) was very challenging for me. Recently, I start realizing Sashiko as the Art, especially in the current society. I would need to write another blog post on how I “define” Art. It may not be Art, maybe Art.

My point is that there are people who get influenced by what we make, what we talk, and what we do. I would probably call it “Art” and if so, I would like to continue focusing on the people (wealth in emotion) rather than money (wealth in tangible good). Please help us out to balance it. This society isn’t easy to focus on just one part, especially on the Art side.

I sincerely believe, by Your Support Sashiko, we can positively impact society.

Thank you for your time to read this blog post of Support Sashiko.

Support Sashiko Keiko


Upcycle Stitches: Atsushi Futatsuya

Sashi.Co: Keiko Futatsuya

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin Cover

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin | How to Sashiko in Order

Sashiko Fukin (刺し子ふきん)is one of the most popular Sashiko items in Japan. Fukin means a sampler or a dish-cloth. The Japanese use this square piece of white cloth to cover the food, wipe the dishes, and other many kitchen activities. Here is a sample of How to Sashiko Asanoha Fukin with video of me stitching and the photos of each step. There is no “right” way to proceed the stitching. It is merely a sample but would be useful when you work on the Sashiko Stitching with Asano-ha pattern.

 

 

Preparation |  Sashiko Asanoha Fukin

Sarashi (晒)is a Japanese thin cotton fabric. (I plan to have them in stock soon).

We prefer to make Sashiko with the double layers. After drawing (transferring) the pattern, secure the two layers with safety pins or such.

 

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin 1

 

Steps of How to Sashiko Asanoha Fukin

The core concept of making a good Sashiko Fukin is to have the “one-stroke” stitching. The optimal (the most efficient) way to stitch vary from a pattern to pattern.

 

Step.1 | Around of Sashiko Asanoha Fukin

Stitch around the corner. Then, the safety pins can be removed.

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin 0

 

Step.2 | Diagonal Lines

Find the longest line, which happens to be the diagonal lines. Enjoy running stitch without cutting the thread until the thread runs out.

 

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin 2

 

Use “Kasane” to continue.

 

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin 4

 

Step.3 | Small Zigzag Lines

After enjoying the long diagonal lines, then move to the small zigzag lines.

 

Step.4 | In-between Lines

Fill the leftovers with using Kasane.

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin 6

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin 5

 

Step Extra | Enjoy addition

The Fukin Project complete with the step.4

However, I decided to continue the process by adding another color to make the double stitches to enjoy the difference between dark Indigo & Light Indigo.

 

Sashiko Asanoha Fukin 7    

 

 

Join our community by taking our Workshops

Sashiko is a process of simple stitching. However, without proper basics, it could be confusing and difficult to enjoy. Upcycle Stitches LLC & Atsushi offer the Sashiko Workshop in NYC and Online. Please consider joining our community where you can learn not only how to stitch these beautiful Japanese geometric pattern but also connect to a community where people share the same great passion to Sashiko.

 

  1. Sashiko Stitching Workshops in NYC
  2. Sashiko Online Workshops 

 

Sashiko Workshops September 2018

 

Some of the tutorials are available online, Youtube.

Sashiko Workshops September 2018

Sashiko Workshops September 2018 |Quick Update

I had the month of August as a “Workshop Free month” to focus on my Sashiko Projects. It was a very good opportunity and now it is about time to start another series of Sashiko Workshops. Here is a quick update of Sashiko Workshops September 2018.

 

Although I was about to advertise on this website before they are sold out, some of the workshops are already full, and some even have a waiting list. I feel very fortunate to have many people interested in Sashiko. I am looking forward to meeting you there, at each location.

 

A quick look for the Sashiko Workshops September 2018

 

Sashiko Workshop @ NJMQG

I offer the Sashiko Stitching workshop as the part of NJMQG workshop program. It was designed mostly for the member of NJMQG, and all the seats are sold out. If you are a part of Quilt Guild or other organization interested in Sashiko, please contact me for the “custom-adjusted yet traditional” workshop opportunity.

You may find the sample fee and structures on this blog post.

Private Sashiko Workshop | Bring Sashiko to your group.

 

Sashiko Workshop @ Purl Soho

I offer the well-organized Sashiko Workshop at the beautiful crafting store in Soho neighborhood.

Purl Soho is one of a very few stores that carry our Natural Dye Sashiko Thread. I am so happy to share my experience and technique in the well-known store for craft lovers. (I received a new that the workshop is full and has a waiting list now. Please contact Purl Soho for the details.)

 

Also, check the beautiful thread that Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya exclusively dyed for them with Indigo.

https://www.purlsoho.com/hand-dyed-sashiko-embroidery-thread.html

 

 

Sashiko (Introductory) Workshop @ Japan Society

Our goal is to share the beautiful culture of Sashiko. Yes, ideally, I would need at least 3 hours to teach you the technique to enjoy Sashiko as much as we do, I am very happy to share the introductory Sashiko and its culture to the many people who are related to Japan Society NYC, which has been a symbol of mutual understandings between the USA and Japan.

It is my honor to serve as a teacher to share some of the Japanese cultures.

(I found out that the workshop is full at this point and no waiting list…)

 

https://www.japansociety.org/event/sashiko-japanese-embroidery

 

 

Sashiko Workshop & Stitching on Denim Workshop @ Tatter Blue Library

The last, but not the least workshop I have in September is with Tatter Blue Library. In this workshop, we focus on the Sashiko Stitching on the Denim. In the morning section, the participant will learn the basic and core of Sashiko Stitching. After a quick break, we all will work on the denim pants or jackets the participants bring.

It is strongly recommended to participate in both workshops in one day. 7 hours of intensive stitching experience will level you up to enjoy the Sashiko Denim Stitching on your own garment. Would you like to make a denim like a photo below? It is the workshop for you.

 

Sashiko Workshops September 2018

 

Registration Link: Please ask Tatter Blue Library for the detail

https://www.tatter.org/sashiko-stitching/

https://www.tatter.org/sashiko-on-denim/

 

*The “Sashiko on Denim Workshop” has a prerequisite of “Traditional Sashiko Workshop” or Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Core & Basic) offered fully by Atsushi Futatsuya.

 

 

After Sashiko Workshops September 2018

Even after Sashiko Workshops September 2018, the workshop in 2018 continues. We are working on scheduling one Sashiko Workshop in October (Probably 10/13 & 10/14) in Brooklyn. One weekend of Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Core & Basic) in TriBeCa, NYC, November 17th and 18th.

 

Once we know the detail, we will introduce it first on Instagram, then a newsletter, then a blog post. Please follow our SNS account and subscribe the newsletter from the sidebar.

 

Sashiko Workshop
I am looking forward to meeting & seeing you!

 

Difference Sashiko and Boro

Difference Sashiko and Boro | Sashiko Story Vol 2

I am happy to continue this journey of making the Video Log with Sashiko Stories. Here is Sashiko Video Log Story Vol 2 | I am talking about the Difference Sashiko and Boro.

 

Below, you can find the script I used for this video. Please leave your comment if you have any questions.

 

Personal Opinion | What Difference Sashiko and Boro

The word of Boro became so famous among those who enjoy Japanese vintage fabrics in the last few years. Some art dealers found the beauty of Sashiko, and it is getting the name value on them. The authentic Japanese Boro, especially the large pieces, acquired many recognitions and frequently got good pricing.

 

At the same time, hand-stitchers like us enjoy the beauty of Sashiko and Boro as the creators (makers). One of the most frequent questions I get in the Sashiko workshop I offer is today’s topic. What is the Boro? What is Sashiko? And What is the difference Sashiko and Boro?

 

It is a bit of challenging to clearly define what Sashiko and Boro are because they were for the ordinary Japanese people and they didn’t leave many documents. It was too ordinary to make it official. Therefore, not many valid documents are found to make the universal definition. I have tried to explain the meaning, understandings, and stories regarding Sashiko and Boro on my website as the blog post. (Please check them when you have time. Upcycle Stitches .com)

Here, let me share my basic understanding of Sashiko and Boro. Again, since there are no official documents found regarding the definition, it is merely my understanding of the words based on our experience in Sashiko.

My understanding is.

Sashiko is a form of stitching, a process of needlework. The Boro is the result of continuous & ultimate repetition of Sashiko.

In other words, Sashiko can be a verb in Japanese. We occasionally say that we “do Sashiko”. In contrast, Boro doesn’t become a verb in the Japanese language. We do not say that we do Boro. Boro in Japanese originally means merely the piece of torn & dirty fabric.

Does it make sense? It is more like a terminology explanation.

 

Stories of Difference Sashiko and Boro

 

Let me share some of the stories about Boro.

As you may have learned already, Sashiko and Boro are developed in poverty, a poor community in Japan.

Here is a story.
One farmer wears a Jacket every day. When it gets a hole or tear, his wife mends the jacket with hand-stitching “so-called Sashiko”. They did not have a choice. They had to repair it with the fabric they kept from the past because they didn’t have enough money or asset to purchase the new fabric. The man’s wife kept repeating the mending throughout his entire life, and when his son is old enough to take over the man’s job, the jacket was passed down to the next generation. The result of this repetition became a Boro Jacket, in which you may be able to see in a museum or a gallery.

It was, therefore, purely for the practical purposes for retaining the warmth, protecting the skin from the sun-shine or scratch from farming work and pretty much for surviving.

Because of this “purpose oriented beauty”, some people call Boro as the random beauty. It could be true. It is not the same as the patchwork or decorative stitching in which the artist (or creator or stitcher) can choose the materials from a variety of choices.

I respect those who implement the concept of Japanese Sashiko and Boro and make the patchworks looks like that. I also respect those who mend denim or Jacket with a hint of Boro’s design. You may wonder if I call them Boro or even authentic Boro?

Well, with the sincere respect, I would call them either “Boro-inspired Art” or “Boro Inspired Mending.” Please do not get me wrong. I respect them as much as I respect to the Boro from the past, but there is a bit of difference. It is not right or wrong, or better or worse. They are just a bit different.

 

Is it really Random?

 

So, let me talk about the “Randomness” of Boro.
Is it really at Random? I do not believe so. It is true that they didn’t have enough materials to be artistic. They didn’t have enough materials to choose from.

 

 

 

However, I feel that they had a pride… or basic human desire to make things more beautiful. The Boro pieces I admire have their emotions, including joy, anger, sadness, and happiness from their ordinary days. Because of this emotion behind the Boro, they look so beautiful and artistic, I believe.
It is our nature to be fashionable and pursue the beauty, even when we are in the severe condition like not being able to get the new fabric.

 

We, Sashi.Co & Keiko, and also my project, Upcycle Stitches, try to follow the route of this Boro. Interestingly, it is kind of difficult to find the vintage fabric from the same era. It is very similar to the Japanese in the past who couldn’t get enough fabric.

When we collect the enough “Boro-to-be-fabric” we try to be as creative as possible. We also try to synchronize our “feeling” to the Japanese who probably did Sashiko as we do now.

Most importantly, we try to “think of” others when we make the Boro. The Boro has a story, and even when we make a piece of Boro, we add the stories to the fabric. The process of stitching, by adding the stories (so-called emotion) to the fabric is called Sashiko, and the result of “caring” someone, including ourselves, is called Boro.

I hope my understanding of Boro and Sashiko help you to understand yours. This is a very big topic to cover. I will come back with other stories to share.

 

Related Articles for Difference Sashiko and Boro

Introduction of Sashiko

How to Start Sashiko | A tutorial from Sashiko Artists

BORO | Textile Art from Ancient Japan

Sashiko and Boro | Translation from Sashi.Co Article