Author: atsushijp

“Story” isn’t only for entertainment – it often comes with wisdom. Stories carry the reasons for what we continuously have today. In other words, something long-lasting always has a “Story” to share. I shared the importance of the needle on @UpcycleStitches . A story tells why I use our needles.
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I saw a discussion of “Good Needle for Sashiko” saying “I like this needle because it has a large eye”. Sure, easiness can be one reason to pick, but I want them to think why then not all the needles have large eyes. Sashiko was a form of stitchery for survival – stitching in harsh conditions with limited resources. The Japanese stitched to make fabric stronger & more durable. This philosophy continues even when we have more “choice” – so our Sashiko is based on the idea of making fabric stronger. See? This short summary already tells the reason for our needle with extremely small eyes (almost the same thickness of the threads). A needle with a large eye “could” end up with damaging the fabric more instead of making the fabric stronger. Therefore, the needle has the eye size of the thickness of the thread & needle body. “Easiness” is an important aspect to keep culture. However, it doesn’t explain the whole. There is a huge difference between “Can’t” and “Don’t”. I want you (them) to have choices rather than limiting their choices by focusing on easiness.
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Stories are important – and therefore, the name matters. There are people behind the words. Freedom of individual choice is very important. I agree. I just would like to ask, though. Is it really a choice among many stories behind the culture, or just the only choice we have? All I do is to offer “choices” so we do not need to suffer from “No more choices” in the future.
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刺し子の原点は「布の補強＆保温」だと思っています。布が簡単に手に入らなかった時代、限られた布を大切に使う為に発展してきた針仕事を刺し子という通り名で読んでいるんだろうと思っています。当時は布を手に入れることすら難しかったわけで、現代のように素敵で使いやすい道具が手に入らなかったと想像します。ただそれは、現代に生きる私達が「どんな材料でも道具でも良いや」というのはまた違います。選択肢がある私達だからこそ、その当時の人々の思いに想像を広げながら、改良改善を繰り返してきた道具や材料の「物語（とその理由）」を知ることが大切なんだろうなと思っています。「改善」は日本の文化であり、英語にすらなっています。KAIZENが当たり前の人達なんて、素晴らしいじゃないですか。
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #Japanesesashiko #日本人の刺し子

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Sashiko amplifies the significance of “current moment” – and therefore, Sashiko can represent who the stitcher is. One of my hopes in sharing Sashiko is to be like a “mirror”. Instead of offering (or even imposing) you the “Correct Answers”, I want them to face the “answers” they already have. In today’s society where we do not have to worry about “surviving for tomorrow” much, “choices” are the key to find who we are.
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Well. A choice is challenging as we all look for the “Right Choice”. When we worry about the “future”, we simultaneously make the past with satisfaction or regret. Again, in today’s society, it is quite difficult to focus on the moment we have now – but Sashiko often enables us to do so.
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We all have our value: If you are reading this in English, you probably have “Western Value” or have an ability to understand it. In my teaching, “I” learned how different Sashiko can be from Western values. I am very happy that I can offer something different – so please keep learning. One day, you will find a mirror for yourself.
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長年私達のアカウントをフォロー下さっている方であれば、この投稿をみて、「ん？」と思われたかもしれません。そう、ななさん (@na.na_45) の刺し子です。結構前に頂いた写真です。ななさんのReelをみながら、昔を思い出して実際に針目をみて楽しんでいました。手仕事だから当たり前のことなのかもしれませんが、刺し子は「刺す人」によって全く違う表情を見せてくれます。もっと言うと、刺している人の深層心理というか、鏡というか、自分でも気がつかないことを気がつかせてくれたり、はたまた刺し子の時間の本音の部分を引き出してくれたり…と、なかなかに面白いのです。
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「刺し子と生きる」と覚悟を決めた時から、なんとなく自分の立ち位置というのは「鏡」的な役割を果たす事にあるんじゃないだろうかと思っています。完全に推測のお話なのですが、基本的に「生存」が満たされた現代社会では、「選択」することで明日が変わってきます。でも、何が正しい選択かは悩んでしまう。未来について悩むと、後悔する過去も生成されるわけで、結果的に苦しかったりしてしまう。でも、なんだかんだで、生存が満たされている時点で、もう「正解」は持っているんじゃないかと。ただ、その自分の正解が承認されることへの欲求が強すぎて、正解を正解として見つめられないんじゃないかと。
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大きな話とたかが刺し子ですが、私が刺し子で伝えたいのは、「今瞬間の答え」なのかもしれません。刺し子をする事により自分を見つめ直すことができる…そんな立ち位置を見つけられたら嬉しいです。ま、「何も考えない刺し子」という王道も存在するんですけどね。ほら、私は面倒臭いことで知られている人間なので（考えちゃうのです）。
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#Sashiko #JapaneseSashiko #刺し子 #日本人の刺し子

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The lecture in Quiltcon 2023 was one big challenge for me. You could probably tell my challenge from the title: [Japanese Sashiko Today as Cultural Sustainability]. One possible way of composing the lecture is based on “Show & Tell”. I believe it would have been one good lecture as well. However, I decided to focus on “Delivering the message via Sashiko” on top of sharing the basic information of what Sashiko is. I hope that the message was somewhat delivered – and I will keep offering the similar lecture online & whenever I am asked to do so.
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At the end of the lecture, I hinted at my recent idea for the difference between “Quilting” and “Sashiko”. From a stitchery point of view, there aren’t many differences – however, I found one significant difference from a cultural (and historial) perspective. I shared my tentative idea toward the end of the lecture, and I will do so on the Youtube Live Streaming next week (March.10th at 9 pm EST).
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It is quite interesting that the message I wanted to deliver & the idea toward the difference between Quilting and Sashiko correspond to each other. The fundamental difference may be rooted in our belief, philosophy, or even “religions” that I try not to talk about here, yet influence can be significant. Therefore, I would like (need) to keep sharing the stories besides those who share instant & easy answers that sounds so comfortable to anyone regardless of the differences – I love Sushi without raw-fish in States, but the culture of Sushi won’t be whole when one ignore the stories of raw-fish – if one titles them as specialist (in Sushi), they need to eat it even if it makes them uncomfortable.
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Well. Enough with analogy. I hope this will become “mind food” for you to enjoy “thinking”. I will try to talk about it in the next Live Streaming.
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「西洋のキルトと日本の刺し子」。様々な先生方がキルトも刺し子もご紹介されているので、詳細は省きますが、ふと「文化的」な観点から考えて、一つ決定的な違いがあるのかもしれないなと思うようになりました。この違いは一方しか持てないという極端なものではなく、その中間にどれだけでも形がある違いです。その違い、来週の配信で少しお話ができたらと思っています。もう話したかもですが、改めて、頭を整理しながら。次回の講演を頂けるとしたら、この話がしたいんですよねぇ。
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#Sashiko #Quilt #刺し子 #キルト

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As you may know, I set a limit on the number of workshops I offer every year. It is my sincere pleasure to be invited to many places & I wish I could go… but I prioritize being a “Sashiko Practitioner” rather than being a “Sashiko Teacher”. There are tons of things I learn from teaching, but again, my teaching will not be valid when I do not stitch in my ordinary… Well, more honestly speaking, I just want my time to stitch for myself. I like Sashiko after all.
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For the year of 2023, I have 2 more workshops planned as of now. One in Stuart, FL, in April (Apr. 1-3) with @ayafiberstudio , and another in Auburn, NY (Oct. 6-8) with @schweinfurthart . Our Sashiko workshops are often fully booked in advance, but I learned that there are a few seats available for the one in Florida. For the workshop registration in FL, please visit Aya Fiber Studio (www.ayafiberstudio.com) & read the details. It is about a month from now.
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After challenging years in Covid with developing the Online Sashiko Class to keep sharing the Sashiko we practice, I am now confident that I can offer the same experience both In-Person & Online. One of the things I cannot do in Online, unfortunately, is the opportunity for them to touch what we make. Our Sashiko “talks” – and many feel “something” in it. I know it is just a piece of fabric & garment… but I am very proud of what we make via sharing the stories & “something” in it.
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When we have a chance, I invite Online Sashiko Class students to meet, either in my city (Lewisburg), or anywhere I go. They are always available for them. So, you/they will not miss anything by taking the Online Sashiko Class. I offer throughout support (and therefore I also set a limit on the numbers of participants). I just find the experience of sharing “something” together is one big treat for In-Person Workshop. I am looking forward to meeting you in FL, in NY, and also somewhere at some points via Online. Thank you.
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「恵子さん＆運針会の皆様」の展示会において開催予定のワークショップ、段々と形になってきました。なんだかんだ言って恵子さんがワークショップをすることは珍しいのです。というのも、本人があまり教えることに自信を持っていないから。それでも「好きなように刺し子を楽しむのが一番」という恵子さんの思いが伝わる時間になったら良いなと思っています。詳細は予約ページができてからご紹介差し上げますね！
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#Sashiko #刺し子 #SashikoWorkshop #刺し子ワークショップ

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I understand “Culture” as “A Big River” nearby us. Everyone nearby gets benefits from the River to maintain their ordinary. No one owns the River, but the River is for the people & community nearby. It is up to them to think for others, especially those who use the Same River in DownStream. SDGs may be explained as taking care of our River for the people in DownStream.
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It is important to be mindful about the River nearby. Also, it is very important to acknowledge where the River Comes from. No matter how we take care of the River nearby, when the upstream is ruined, the whole River can be contaminated. I believe this analogy with River is easy to imagine. The Culture is the same – when we ignore the upstream, the culture nearby, and the culture our children receive will be something different. In culture, it is very important to acknowledge “whom” staking their lives as upstream.
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When you learn, please be mindful of whom you are learning from – a good teacher “always” shares their upstream. Even a ‘Self taught’ teacher has upstream they used as resources. It is learners’ responsibility to ask. If you are a Sashiko teacher here, specify the upstream you learned Sashiko from. From the Internet? Youtube? That’s fine. Just clarify what. If you learned Sashiko from our Youtube, then teaching Sashiko & making money, no need to change. Just clarify the upstream. I will NOT ask to pay or stop teaching- my priority is to share the upstream – not control the River nearby. The worst case scenario is the ignorance to the upstream… and it is happening & I can speak up because of “English” by luck.
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Our life exists in a flow – past, present and future. It is connected, and I am speaking out on the importance of the “past” so that we can enjoy the “present”, and you can be the “future”.
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「刺し子、（私の代わりに）教えて良いと思うよー」と言い続けて早5年。なかなか一歩を踏み出す人は多くないのですが、5年経ってちらほらと「私頑張ってみる」という方が増えてきました。不思議なもので、同時に。様々な葛藤があったのは認めた上で、「自由に教えれば良いよ」と思っています。別にお金も要らない。許可も要らない。運針会に出なくても大丈夫。ただ、私の動画や文章を元に教材を作り教えているのであれば「どこからきた知恵（刺し子）か」を明記して頂ければと思っているだけです。また金曜日の配信でお話しますが、私の活動は「川の上流の守人」のようなものです。上流が変わらなければ、目の前の流れが変わっても、本質は変わりません。ま、文化において上流を守るということの難しさは歴史が証明していますが、できる限りはやってみたいのです。
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After the lecture, I got a very good question: [What is your dream in Sashiko?]. Is it to be famous in the textile field? Having Fancy Studio & Production? Making Good Money? Publications? Recognition as an Artist? Fame? I had to think about this for a bit – and I said my goal is that I can keep the Same Sashiko 10 years, and 30 years from now in the way I enjoy today. Everything else I mentioned above (like money & fame) are all means to make my dream come true. Even a small dream of having my own studio (or a space) for Sashiko is a vehicle – my dream is that I can do the exact same thing in the future – therefore, I want to share the Stories.
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A “Craft” culture doesn’t end when a craftsman or an artisan decides to quit their activities. Here, in the same logic, Sashiko Culture does NOT end when I (or we) decide to quit Sashiko. However, I can say for sure that the Sashiko Culture I practice will end when the artisans who indirectly support me become the Sashiko Artisan (like makers of threads, needles, thimble, and fabric who are also the artisans). To support them back somehow is the indirect dream to make my direct dream (of keeping my Sashiko as is) for the long-going future.
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One may say they don’t need a thimble. It is a true statement for them. However, for me, keeping the stories & technique how significant “the thimble” is will support the artisans & the Sashiko in my future. I guess I am pretty self-centered and I am very particular in what I want. I just want to keep stitching the way I do today – and I would like to have the same tools, supplies and mindset that I have today. Unfortunately, the Sashiko introduced in English is optimized for Western Teaching & Audience. They aren’t wrong, but not enough. I will keep sharing the Stories as well as our Sashiko so that we can have the same “Addictive Fun” in 10 years & 100 years.
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何百人という方にお話をする機会を頂いた後に、とても純粋な感じで「淳の刺し子の夢は何ですか？」と。有名になること？本を出すこと？お金持ちになること？認められること？…何が夢ですか、と。少し考えて出た言葉が「刺し子を続けていたい」でした。不思議な顔をされたので、「刺し子を続ける為には、その道具や材料を作ってくれる人も必要だから」と説明しながら、結局はそうなんだろうなと。30年後も今日と同じように刺し子をする為に、今頑張ってるんだなと。一番になりたいとか特別になりたいという野望は強くありません。ただただ、自分の核にある刺し子を、大切に思う友人達とずーっと続けていけたらと願っています。
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Until the year of 2011, I wanted to “end” the Sashiko I was with. For me, it was a chain of negativity back then. After 12 years, I had an honor to present the Sashiko I have received – as the culture I am so proud of. I really appreciate the kind & warm audience today. I was so nervous that I don’t remember what I said in the lecture (The script I prepared & practiced was kind of meaningless…). However, I hope I could communicate the significance of “Acceptance” in Japanese culture & Sashiko. I plan to offer the same(?) lecture online in May. Please wait for an update for this.
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The title of the lecture was [Cultural Sustainability] – I specifically used this word. I asked if anyone thought of the [Cultural Appropriation] by finding this title. A majority of people raised their hand… yet they came to listen to my lecture. It is the biggest pleasure that they care although it could be something uncomfortable to hear for non-Japanese.
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Long-story short. You know my summary when you follow this account long enough. I “encourage” you to call your stitching Sashiko (only if you want) under one condition – “acknowledgement (of the stories behind the word of Sashiko)”. I sincerely hope that we can keep communicating to find out “our” – “my” – and “your” Sashiko together.
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I studied so much to come to the States to college – the motivation was to “evacuate” from Sashiko. Now, in order to preserve the Sashiko we practice, I am using English. English itself is a great power – if I weren’t speaking English, this lecture wouldn’t be happening. It may look like a big detour – but it is true that there is nothing “waste” in our lives – the importance of acceptance. DM me or tag me if you had changce to say hello after the lecture – As much as this is “Instagram”, I would like to be connected & would like to keep in touch!
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Big thanks to my family for allowing me to do this – and using them in some jokes. Next time, (I hope) I will not reuse the same jokes!!
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えー。想定を超えてました。はい。「レクチャーやったらいいやん！」というお誘いに乗ったは良いのですが、会場の広さは聞いてませんでした。人前で話すことが苦手な訳ではないんですが…少し想定の斜め上でした。吐きそうでした。何かが伝わっていれば嬉しいなぁ（カンペ見る余裕もなく、覚えた台本なんか全部吹っ飛び…これはもう練習が必要です）。
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I get nervous when I have a workshop/lecture. It doesn’t matter the size, duration, to whom, and even Online or In-person. Everytime I face people who are eager to learn, I get so nervous that I cannot eat anything while (and before) teaching. One cause of this nervousness is “fear to fail”. I am afraid of failing it – here, I guess it is to meet their expectation.
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Many encourage me that I will do well. I appreciate that. As I have been teaching Sashiko for 5 years to almost 1K people, I know what I am doing, but I get nervous. For me, a workshop/a lecture may be one of many opportunities to share the Sashiko – however, for the person there, it can be “the opportunity”. I always ask them to keep in touch, wishing & encouraging them to keep Sashiko. However, when I fail to communicate, then the workshop may be their last (for that, their only one) opportunity to stitch. Unfortunately, I don’t know other Japanese Sashiko teachers teaching in a conference setting in English – so, I cannot say that someone will cover for my lousy job (I am wishing someone from my workshops to be a teacher, too). So, I get one shot to make my hope come true. That’s why I get nervous, and I think it is a good thing. I feel the strong responsibility in sharing the Sashiko.
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Sashiko has become something “different” in English. It is too late to share what Sashiko is without any discomfort. I write/tell something uncomfortable for those who think they know about Sashiko already. However, it is never too late to share. I really appreciate the number of organizations that arrange a workshop/lecture for me. I limit myself to offer 4~7 in-person workshops per year (The next one is in FL, 4/1 to 4/3). Today another Workshop. Tomorrow, the very first Lecture, in #QuiltCon2023.
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Until tomorrow, I am extremely intense for the reasons above. I may look inaccessible… so, if you see me in the afternoon tomorrow on QuiltShow, please say hi to me! I maybe braindead by that, but I am happy to meet new “stitching crazy” friends!
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このデニム、あまり配信等では紹介していないのですが、毎回のワークショップのお供をしてくれているデニムです…→→→久々に投稿の文字上限に引っかかったので、日本語はコメント欄に記載します！普段推敲で文字数を減らしているのですが、今日は頭が働かん（笑！）
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Ever since Sashiko became my “ordinary”, traveling hasn’t been a boring time. We cannot bring a pair of scissors in the airplane. However, it seems it is okay to have a needle, thimble, and fabric. Japanese stitched Sashiko in their own ordinary to make their life somewhat better. They would probably have found something “meaningful” in their simple, mediocre, yet important time. 

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Ever since I decided to “teach” Sashiko, the biggest joy I receive is a sense of community. In my childhood, I always felt lonely as if I was the only one (child) who (had to) stitch. It was the same when I was responsible for Sashiko Business in my youth. About 20 years ago, the society I was looking at was so small that I made it kind of hostile – I felt as if “the society” is telling me that the world no longer needed Sashiko – what my family did with staking their entire lives.

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It wasn’t true, fortunately. I have met & will meet so many people who enjoy what I can share. However, I didn’t realize it until very recently – I thought what I received was so boring & mediocre. An event like #QuiltCon is a great opportunity for me to “try”. Believe it or not, I am an introvert. I try my best to be as “difficult” as possible here to preserve my messages & stories – but I believe many who have met me in-person find it quite different – and strange. I don’t talk this much in my “real” self. 

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Very fortunately & honor to be part of the great community again where “Fabric/Textile Enthusiasts” are going to be in the same place. I feel that they are all my friends – as we all share the craziness that someone does not understand well (like my wife says “How can you keep stitching so long hours…)”. Again, I will do my best to share the Sashiko we have been practicing for our lives.

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移動中に刺し子をするようになり、昔の「やることなくて暇だー」という感覚はあまり感じなくなりました。もう若くないということもあるかとは思うのですが、同時につまりはそれだけ刺し子を日常にできているんだろうと思います。重い腰をあげて針を持っていた昔ではなく、気がついたら針を持っているような状態なのかもしれません。昔は当たり前に見ていた風景で、私はそこまで行かないだろうと思っていたのですが、ようやく私もここにきたんだなぁと。

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またキルトコンに参加してきます。光栄なことです。「それだけ何回も教えていれば余裕でしょ？」と言われることもあるのですが、私には数ある一つのワークショップでも、参加下さる方にとっては一回です。人生を賭ける気持ちで刺し子を伝えてきます。

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In 2017, I decided to Stop buying new clothes. Instead of purchasing a new one, I decided to “fix (mend)” it. More importantly, in order to avoid the mending (which isn’t the best joy to me), I am trying to add Sashiko stitching everywhere I can feel. Many say that I am doing a good thing for the environment & SDGs. Yes, probably so, but to be honest, Materialistic Sustainability (Care to Environment) is secondary. The primary reason is to see if Sashiko really makes the fabric strong – I knew it before as many Sashiko Artisans around me proved it to me, yet I just wanted to do it by myself, with my own stitching, throughout my entire life.
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That’s the reason I wear almost the same clothes in events. In last 6 years, in most of the events like #QuiltCon, I have been wearing the same Denim shirt & Pants – the difference is the “weight” as I added quite a lot of stitching & mending. I wash them as “regular cloth” (not ideally but I put it in the washing machine… and even tumble dry… with detergent – which does NOT do so with Natural Dye). So, it shouldn’t be dirty at all! I am happy to share(?), let them touch the fabric itself as the Sashiko Stitched Fabric has a very unique texture. I will keep wearing them with more stitching & patches… oh, by the way, you know the word when I keep doing it & wear them in 20XX? It can be called “Boro” – or for sure “Boro Boro” as it is kind of the status at this moment. We can make an authentic Boro – Boro isn’t only from the past – we can make it for the future when we learn what we are doing.
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「刺し子は引き算じゃね？（ただ量を刺すだけじゃなくて”どこを刺さないか”を見極める）」とかカッコつけておきながら、「まぁ今は好きじゃなくても、刺し続ければ良くなる時もあるから」と、自分勝手というかなんというか二重基準のお見本みたいなことを言いながら刺し子をし、配信をしておりました。そんなデニムのシャツ。まだ「好き」という所までは行っていないので、これからも引き続き刺し続けるのですが、皆様からの助言を頂き、なんとか先が見えるところまでは来れたのではと思っています。
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2017年に服を買うことを止めて見ました。完全消耗品＆清潔さを保つ為に下着類は買い換えるようにしているのですが、それ以外はもう服を購入することはなく、ひたすらあるものを直して使うようにしています。それでもプレゼントで服を頂いたり、あるいはデニムの寄付を頂いたりと、なんだかんだで服は増えていくのですが、「それでも使い続けて刺し子をする」という原則は守り続けようと思っています。実感として、やっぱり刺し子をすると布は強くなります。なかなか破れない。破れても刺し子で止まるから補修も比較的簡単。どこまで続けれるかわかりませんが、自分の持ち物に刺し子をすることが好きなので、行けるところまで行ってみようと思っています。「なんか毎回同じ服じゃね？」と思われるのは、上記の理由です。しっかりガシガシ洗ってるので汚くはない…はず…です。
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#Sashiko #​刺し子 #quiltcon2023

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