I have been feeling a boom in Sashiko stitching recently. Especially in 2018, there are more search in terms of Sashiko, and increase in inquiries and questions. Other retail stores online started offering our Coron Sashiko Thread as well. Although the competition in popular products is a healthy economic activity, let me share the reason why you want to buy Sashiko Thread, or any other Sashiko related materials, from us, Upcycle Stitches.
Learn about our Sashiko Thread
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Buy Sashiko Thread = Be part of our Sashiko Community
I am a single member LLC to offer Sashiko tutorials, Sashiko services, and merchandise sales in the United States. As of now, I am able to answer all the questions within a day or so, but when the demands increase, I will have to prioritize in answering the questions and inquiries. Since I do not know anyone who is as knowledgeable as I am regarding Sashiko AND can speak/write English, the process of following up to the Sashiko questions is the job only I can do. It is not a job I can outsource.
At the same time, I have a goal of sharing the concept & technique of Sashiko to as many people as possible.
One of the process to achieve these goals is to offer “free online video tutorials” and “Sashiko articles to answer the possible questions. ” Although I have a pile of free information available, it is, of course, assuring to have someone answering the questions. I am here for that, and I probably need to prioritize the questions in future.
I would like to know my customers.
When I receive the order on this website (https://upcyclestitches.com/store), I will know you. That is a very important process for me. I remember who you are, and I will try my best to follow-up with your needs in Sashiko. The customer of our store will be prioritized in receiving my answers. It is fair, right?
I have a shop at this website, Etsy, and Amazon.
Either of these is fine to buy Sashiko Thread. This website is the easiest for me to remember you, then Etsy. In order to understand who is buying Sashiko thread on Amazon, you would need to tell me that you had purchased it from our store by confirming with your order number. I believe I am setting the price competitive and reasonable. (Please let me know if you find a store offering the same product with much cheaper price, like 40% cheaper than the price on either store above.)
Make sure that YOU know who you are buying Sashiko thread from.
If you understand you buy Sashiko thread from Sashiko professionals or crafting store, then I am not worried. They will answer your questions when you need a help. In this society with the Internet, anyone can be a seller of any kinds of products. I can foresee some sellers joining the Sashiko Thread market when they learn that Sashiko thread is popular. When it happens, please try to understand who you are buying from.
Not only you may not get a support after purchase, your action may be discouraging the Sashiko culture.
Sashiko thread is not only a product for us
It is kind of strange to mention, but we believe that Sashiko thread is a way to connect with the potential Sashiko practitioner. We do not consider it as a mere product to sell. We need to make a living out of Sashiko, so the price is competitive, but again, we believe the pricing is reasonable.
We also respect the long-established and traditional manufacturers in Japan, especially those who have been trying to pass down their hand-crafting culture to the next generation. When you purchase our items including Sashiko thread, you are supporting these manufacturers we respect. As a result, my customers are supporting the traditional craft/manufactures in Japan.
Buy Sashiko = Support Sashiko as Culture
Again. It may be strange since the goal of “business” is ultimately making a profit.
I have been there and I have done that. If I would like to focus on profit (money), Sashiko is not the best conclusion to work on… all hand-made. How can this be profitable like other capitalistic business?
My mother and I talked about it when we “re-start” our Sashiko life.
“When we can make a living with what we like to do, we don’t need millions of dollars to be happy.”
We are pretty happy by doing the enjoyable Sashiko we suggest here and there. Now, we would like to protect this beaeutiful culture, including everyone who is in the process of making them. Thread manufactures, textile manufactures, and all the unknown artisans in Japan.
By knowing who you are buying items from, you can support these people instead of spending a 1 penny less on some random sellers.
Continuous Support & Customer Experience Improvement
Asking customers to buy Sashiko thread based on our reasoning is just our side of stories.
We understand it is very important to continuously improve the customer experience. I have been planning to install the “customer loyalty service” so you can get benefit of keep using our store. We are a very small store to share Sashiko items. We remember you as cutomers and we would like to welcome you to our Sashiko Community.
Enjoy Sashiko!
You website is inspiring.
I have been searching for a teacher and was excited to see you hold workshops.
You have one in NYC in April. That city is too busy for me.
Do you plan any workshops in Pennsylvania?
Please let me know.
I have been interested in Sashiko since a beautiful exhibit at UCLA’S Fowler Museum on ” Vintage Fishermen Coats.
I am excited to learn
Hi Elena,
Thank you for your comment here. I am glad you found me.
If you can make a trip to Central PA, (Zip Code 17837), I am happy to offer a private workshop in our place. As of now, I do not have any workshops planned besides the one in NYC.
For scheduling, please contact to info @ upcyclestitches.com (Please delete the space when you actually send the email.)
Best Regards,
Atsushi
Are the darker color threads colorfast? I want to use a dark color thread on a light color fabric but I’m worried the dark color will bleed onto the fabric.
In regular usage (no bleach or chemical), most of the threads are colorfast.
For the natural dye threads, the color may gradually fade over time but will not transfer to the other fabric.
For the chemical dye thread, I have not experienced the color bleeding in our experience, so colorfast, we believe.
We believe our thread is colorfast based on our experiment. However, just in case, I would recommend using a piece of threads for the trial.
In regular usage, the thread will keep the color and mostly colorfast as I mentioned above.
Thank you for your question.