Sashiko Jackets Collection Keiko Futatsuya

Sashiko Jackets by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya

Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya is not only a name for Keiko’s business but it also represents a group of hand-craft artists who are good friends of Keiko. “.Co” indicates “Community” when we named it together. A group of Sashiko artists, Sashiko directors, Japanese Tailors, and other artisans continue creating beautiful Sashiko Jackets and other Sashiko arts, slowly but surely.

 

Keiko is the leader, and they share the same artisan mind-set

I love the Sashi.Co group.

They are truly artisans. And these types of artisans share the same mindset, “Completeness/integrity to their job.” If they do not satisfy their job, they do not want to release it to the public. They do not receive the money until they truly feel that they performed their job and met expectation.

Keiko is the leader of the group, and Keiko is the significant one with this mindset.

 

Sashiko Jacekts

 

Look at this Jacket. It is a beautiful piece, and for me, it is ready to go on the Sales page. However, Keiko thinks that she has to fix things before I can introduce it on Sashi.Co Website. Therefore she doesn’t give me the sizing and pricing. She takes photos to get reactions from me, friends and other customers. However, she isn’t ready for selling this yet.

 

We have a lot of Jackets like that.

When she makes a Jacket, she imagines who would wear. So the sizing is not suitable for Keiko all the time. This is a bit bigger Jacket for the larger person than Keiko’s sizing.  Although the jacket looks fantastic, it will be introduced after she completed her job.d

 

Sashiko Jackets 3

 

 

One of a kind Sashiko Jackets available for you

It takes a long time to complete one Jackets. We introduced a lot of Sashiko Jackets in 2015 because she worked a lot between the end of 2013 to throughout 2014. After we started Sashiko project, she needs to do other works to make sales, the process of making new Sashiko jackets get a bit slower.

 

However, many of her Sashiko Jackets are available for you to purchase. 

Many Jackets moves off-line when she have an exhibition or a pop-up store. If you found your favorite Jacket online, please contact us. I will be happy to translate all the e-mails to Keiko, so Keiko can adjust the jacket as you wish without changing the concept and design.

 

 

Mylar Paper

Mylar Paper | Best Supply to Transfer Material

In Sashiko stitching, it is very important to learn how to transfer the pattern on the fabric. I repeatedly mention it because the well-transferred pattern on the fabric will result in a good Sashiko stitching. In the process of transferring, using the mylar paper is a key point to avoid mistakes.

Here are the video and the article of how to transfer the pattern.

 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty04Wf9cWnM)

 

We used to use Cello Sheet (with the struggles)

To be honest, we didn’t know about the mylar paper until 2013. We used to transfer the pattern by using thin Cellophane sheet (Poly sheet). We had to discard the cello sheet everytime we used and it was difficult to use them. We kept doing it because we had a professional for the process of drawing and transferring the pattern on Sashiko fabric. She was an artist in that field. It was challenging to transfer pattern accurately even for a person who has a bit of experience, like me.

 

When we decided to share the process and technique of Sashiko, we thought of this troublesome process. We wanted people to learn how to prepare the fabric by themselves. However, the materials and process would be so challenging that some of them may be disappointed by the low quality. We even once decided to Not to provide the D.I.Y Set because of the issue.

 

Then, we found this mylar paper

Then, we found this mylar paper. A supreme quality and good thickness make the transferring process so easy. We are now comfortable to share the process so everyone can enjoy the preparation. It is fun to do Sashiko stitching with your own favorite design.

 

Mylar Paper 2

The Size: 16.5″ x 11.75″

 

It is even printable with a laser printer (Not an ink-jet printer). Enjoy the preparing process, and Enjoy Sashiko even more.

 

Sashiko Dish Towel

Sashiko Dish Towel ~ Practice Sahiko on Sarashi

Sashiko Dish Towel with using Sarashi Cotton Fabric is one of the most popular items in Sashiko stitching. There are many kinds of dish towels with Sashiko. If you are interested, google the keyword of “Sashiko Fukin and execute the online research. You will find many beautiful dish towels with Sashiko. Many books with Sashiko Dish Towels are published in Japanese as well.

 

 

Why Dish Towel with Sashiko stitching?

In past, Sarashi Cotton Fabric was relatively easy to get. The Japanese layered the Sarashi fabric and made dish towels for their everyday needs. It was an era people couldn’t waste anything. Of course, there were no paper towels. They tried to strengthen the fabric so they can use the towels repeatedly. They used the towel to wipe the dishes after rinsing. When the towel gets a bit dirty, they used it for wiping the table and other furniture. When the towel started torn or looks filthy, they used the towel to clean the floor. After these process, when the towel looks completely dirty, then they used it for cleaning toilets. I believe it is another form of Boro (if we can find the filthy dirty dish towel after they cleaned their toilet.)

In the process of shifting purpose for Sarashi towel, Sashiko always stayed there. Sashiko not only repair the fabric but it also strengthens the fabric.

Sarashi fabric absorbs water very efficiently. It is easy to clean. Therefore, the Japanese used the fabric for daily needs with Sashiko stitching.

 

Sashiko Dish Towel 4

Good practice fabric for simple running stitches and overlay stitching

In modern society, the needs for using a towel so many times repeatedly declined. Paper towels are so easy to use. (although we use the Sashiko Dish Towel in our days.) In our experience of producing Sashiko products, we realized that Sarashi fabric is very easy to stitch, soft to hold and loosen enough t0 practice the overlay stitching.

Sashiko Dish Towel

 

Sashiko with Dish Clothes is a form of culture because of reasons.

When you want to experience Sashiko in the traditional way, considering to make dish towel is a good option to enjoy Sashiko more. 

 

 

We prepare the sample set to make Sashiko Dish Towel

I wanted to make it simple. I just wanted you to try the quality of Sarashi fabric and the fun of stitching.

We prepare a set of

  • A dish towel size of Sarashi Fabric (the edge trimmed for less trouble)
  • A small skein of Sashiko thread
  • A Sashiko needle

 

No need to follow our Sashiko techniques to use a unique Sashiko thimble or worried about making overlay stitching. If you could just enjoy the stitching and get interested in Sashiko, that is our pleasure.

 

The set is available on this website as well as our Etsy Store.

 

 

 

Sashiko Starter Set 2

Sashiko Starter Set | Everything you need to Start

The word of Sashiko starts getting popular in 2000’s slowly but surely. I enjoyed Sashiko workshop in the Netherlands in 2012. I had many customers from Australia. Many people from Hawaii with Japanese heritage visited us throughout the years. However, Sashiko is still minor field. Many people wonder how to start it. Although it is simple to start Sashiko and it doesn’t require you to purchase a lot of expensive tools and/or materials, I thought it would be nice to prepare the “Sashiko Starter Set” for those who want to start Sashiko today. I hope this set will motivate Sashiko market to grow bigger.

 

Sashiko Starter Kit

 

Sashiko Starter Set | Everything you need to start Sashiko

 

In order to learn what Sashiko is and how we practice Sashiko stitching, please refer to the overview article about Sashiko.

In this Set, you will have everything you would need to start Sashiko stitching, besides a ballpoint pen or a tracing wheel. A cheap ballpoint pen from a dollar store  (preferably with red ink) would be fine. If you would need a threader, please get it by yourself. Also, some project may require the interface. The interface is not included.

 

The set include;

 

Sashiko Starter Set 5

 

Imagine what you want to make with Sashiko. It’s the start.

After you get the Sashiko Starter Set, it is up to what you make. We will keep updating the website and video tutorials for stimulation and inspiration for your Sashiko. Imagine what you want to do with Sashiko. It is the start of your enjoyable journey with Sashiko.

 

 

Sashiko Tote Bag #004 by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya

We started carrying some of Sashiko Art Pieces as inventory in USA. Sashiko Tote Bag (#004) by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya is one of the bags I love the most. The indigo color and natural pink color dyed with Western Madder looks so beautiful.

Sashiko Tote Bag 1

 

 

 

Japanese Vintage Fabric and Natural Dye (Hand-Dye) Sashiko Thread

Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya focuses on repurposing the fabric.

Kimono, a Japanese traditional garment which many Japanese put on every day, now become special garment to wear for the special occasion. Some Japanese do not wear Kimono at all throughout her/his life. In these transition of culture, Kimono became a treasure no one sees in the dresser.

Keiko focuses on putting the spotlight to Kimono with good quality fabric.

They (In fact, I help so “we”) collect goo Japanese vintage fabric, we dye thread by hand with using natural dyes and stitch it up with Sashiko techniques. These products are one of the kinds product, and it is impossible to make the exactly same product. (We try to make the similar one, but it is impossible to get the exactly same fabric since they are only found in the antique market.)

 

Sashiko makes fabric stronger. Since every process is done by hands, it is relatively easy to mend when it get torn. The more the bag is used, the more bag looks natural, exclusive and beautiful. I hope you will have a chance to get one of these Sashiko bags. It will be your life-long partner.

 

 

Sashiko Tote Bag #004 is available online

The bag is available on our Esty Store.

【Size】
– Height x Width → 30cm x 33cm
– Bottom → 11cm x 27cm (oval shape)
– Handle → 3.5cm width x 43cm length

【Material】
Kofu – Vintage Fabric – Cotton 100%
Botanical dye Sashiko thread – Cotton 100%

 

Sashiko Tote Bag _2
Sashiko Bag Front
Sashiko Tote Bag _3
Sashiko Bag Back
Sashiko Tote Bag _4
Sashiko Bag Side
Sashiko Tote Bag _5
Sashiko Bag Inside

 

 

Sashiko Thimble | Helpful tool when get used to

A round-shaped Sashiko thimble is one of the challenging tools to get used to in practicing Sashiko stitching. However, it is a very helpful tool when you learn how to use appropriately. One of the main topics in my Sashiko Stitching Workshop is to share how to use the thimble (and needle) comfortably. It is a bit difficult to share the details in writing, so please check the Youtube video for more information.

In order to learn how to use the thimble comprehensively, please register you for coming up Sashiko workshops. I will teach you how to use it, step by step, with directing your hands and fingers together.

 

Sashiko Thimble

Push the Needle with Sashiko Thimble while Stitching

The key concept of using the Sashiko Thimble is to push the needle while stitching. In order to push the needle while holding the fabric and stitching simultaneously, a thimble is a necessary tool. I hope the video can give you some understanding of what I am trying to explain by “pushing the needle while stitching.” (The video is NOT about stitching, but you can see the process I am stitching with using Sashiko thimble.)

 

 

“Even Stitches” and “Speedy Stitching” are two good keywords to define a good Sashiko artist. This thimble is necessary to have the best result in Sashiko stitching.

 

 

One fits all. Practicing only makes it easier

Sashiko Thimble 2 Sashiko Thimble 3

 

The ring is adjustable so it should fit most of the finger’s size. Make sure it is nice tight to secure the thimble and keep pushing the Sashiko needle. As the picture above show, the round-shape should be on the palm, not on the finger.

Once you get used to the way I share, making as many as 30 stitches become possible. It is hard for Sashiko beginners, especially if you have good amount of experience from other types of embroidery or hand-sewing experience.

 

I hope you will have a chance to try one of these, and fully enjoy the Sashiko.

 

Sashiko Needle | which to buy for Sashiko?

Sashiko is a simple stitching technique from Japan. It requires a few tools to start without investing a fortune. It will provide the luxury time like meditation. What you need to start Sashiko are, a piece of fabric (or your garment), Sashiko thread, a Sashiko needle and a round dish shaped thimble. Although there is no restriction that you have to use tools for Sashiko, it is important to have good quality tools to get you rewarded

*Here is the article about my recommendation regarding tools

Sashiko requires you to invest a lot of time. We would like you to get the good result by using proper tools and supplies. In this article, I introduce what is a good needle for Sashiko.

Sashiko Needle

Our Needle is available on our web store. It is a package comes with Sashiko thimble. If you use our needle, we strongly recommend using our thimble, as well.

A Good Sashiko Needle among so many choices.

There are many kinds of choices for needles in the market. Even limiting to Sashiko purpose, there are several types of Sashiko needles you can choose from. We are using the needle from a needle company with more than 100 years of its history in Japan, and specially designed for meet our standard to Sashiko stitching. Choosing our needle would be the easiest option, but here is a list of things you need to check when you pick a good Sashiko needle.

  • Is needle sharp enough to stitch through several layers?
  • Is needle strong enough to make many stitches? Sometimes we make more than 20 stitches at once.
  • Is needle soft (flexible) enough to have many stitches at once?
  • Is needle long enough to perform fast running stitch?
  • Is the size of needle eye appropriate? Too small eye will damage the thread and too big eye will damage the fabric.

The size of the eye is one of the most important factors, yet not many people realize until they spend so much time in Sashiko. We recommend about 3 mm length and 1 mm width… just because it is the best suitable size for the Sashiko thread we use.

Sashiko Needle 2

The most frequent question | the length of Sashiko Needle

One of the most frequent questions I get regarding Sashiko is the length of Sashiko needle. Because of many choices in the market, it seems like choosing “right” needle for each project matters a lot. The answer is simple. We, as Upcycle Stitches and Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya, uses one size needle for every project we work on.

Sashiko Needle

This size needle fits perfectly to most of people’s hand I have taught. It seems a long needle, but the length is necessary to use the Sashiko thimble appropriately.

I will introduce our Sashiko thimble in the next article. I hope we answered the concerns people have regarding Sashiko needles. If you have more questions, please feel free to leave the comment so I can follow up.

Natural Dye Sashiko Thread / Beauty of Nature

One of our excellence in Sashiko is the selection of Natural Dye Sashiko thread. Upcycle Stitches LLC and Sashi.Co are groups of Sashiko professionals and we practice Sashiko daily to create more Sashiko pieces. At the same time, we fulfill the need for the best supplies by creating “one of the kind” materials. Natural Dye Sashiko thread, dyed by Keiko’s own hands, is one significant product we are very proud of.

 

We restocked three colors of Natural Dye Sashiko Thread by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya. They are available at our online store, our Etsy-Store, and Amazon. We hope that many people can enjoy the beauty of the nature. They are just so beautiful in Sashiko stitching.

 

Natural Dye Sashiko Thread

 

Why Does Keiko create Natural Dye Sashiko Thread?

We have 22 colors of Sashiko thread in the selection. For most projects, Keiko was happy with using the colors we had. About 10 years ago, we significantly started focusing on Japanese vintage fabric, so called Kofu. Ever since, Keiko and I have been wondering if there are other colors available in the market which matches the color of vintage fabric, which is “faded color / the color only time can make”.

 

Natural Dye Sashiko thread was our answer.

No matter how strict we control the condition, some of the colors are almost impossible to recreate. Every time Keiko dyed, she got different color by the same natural dyes. And these “One Time Color” matched the vintage fabric very well.

 

A couple of years ago, Keiko succeeded in stabilizing the process and color of thread. Then, we started providing the Natural Dye Sashiko thread to our customers. Some colors are still challenging for Keiko to create the same results, and therefore, there is a limited number of stocks every time they become available online. Keiko now can restock some colors when she focuses on creating the thread.

 

Beauty from Nature. Beauty in Nature.

Sashiko piece with vintage fabric and Natural Dye Sashiko thread stands up in the sunlight. It is so beautiful to see the reflection of bright sunlight on the Indigo color fabric and natural dye color.

I hope you can find the natural color you like and apply it to your project.

Natural Dye Sashiko Thread in Sashiko Bag

 

Sashiko Pattern Transfer Practice Kit

One of the most important preparations for Sashiko stitching is transferring Sashiko pattern onto the fabric. I wrote the article about it and made a tutorial video on youtube. However, it is a bit troublesome to get every materials and supply ready since some of them are imported from Japan. I made a kit (Sashiko Pattern Transfer Practice Kit) for those who would like to try and practice how the Sashiko pattern transferring process would work.

 

 

I believe this tutorial explains the steps well. Here is a list of what you need to prepare and what you can expect in the practice kit package. Every supply and materials in the video will be available online soon (some are already available).

 

What you need to start transferring the Sashiko pattern

Sashiko Pattern transfer

 

Before purchasing the kit, please make sure you have basic tools below.

  • Red Ballpoint pen
  • Ruler(s)
  • Safety pins / Dressmaker Pins
  • Working mat (optional / to avoid the damage to the table)

 

Sashiko Pattern Transfer Practice Kit

 

In the Practice Kit, you can expect to get

  • Fine quality Indigo Dyed Fabric / one of the best reasonable priced fabrics for Sashiko practice.
  • Half-sized (about 1/2 of letter size) transferring carbon paper
  • Half-sized (about letter size) Mylar Paper
  • Half-sized (about 1/2 of letter size) pattern paper with 4 Japanese traditional patterns.

 

The kit is available on Amazon, too.

Upcycle Stitches LLC has the Amazon Store Front. You can get the kit from there with Prime benefit.

 

It will expand the possibilities. Sashiko on anything.

There are some Sashiko Kit with a pattern pre-printed on. Sometimes, the pattern has the stitches on it. It looks very thoughtful. I am thinking to make one of these “pre-printed pattern” Sashiko kits.

However, before I release the kit, I wanted to share this kit to share the idea of how to transfer the pattern onto the fabric. It is very important to learn how to follow the steps in order to enjoy Sashiko continuously. By learning this steps, you will be able to work on any fabrics with whatever pattern you would like to try Sashiko with.

 

I hope this kit will satisfy your first step needs and will expand the possibilities of Sashiko.

With materials I introduced, you can make anything Sashiko!