Sashiko is a form of hand- stitching the Japanese had developed hundreds of years ago. I strive to leave this culture to the next generation by sharing the stitching technique and stories behind its history.
I believe the Sashiko is the process of mending, repairing, strengthening the fabric with putting thoughts of the family. Also, it was the Fashion the Japanese tried to enjoy in the limited resource and regulation. There are many “Sshiko looks” fabric available in the market. I hope people start enjoying their own Sashiko by appreciating the fabric they are already in Love.
If you are interested in any keywords below, the information in this website may be beneficial.
Upcycle / Repurpose / Sustainability / Janaese Traditional Stitching / Boro / Nogari / Mingei / Mending / Japanese Hand Made/
Recycle (Upcycle) what you love instead of Replacing it. You will love the item more if you repair it by yourself, with your hands.
A few hours to the second soccer match of the Japanese National Soccer Team. Do you know, in the World Cup 2018, they designed Sashiko Japanese National Soccer Uniform? Some of my friends who are into Sashiko asked me if that is actually Sashiko (and it is not actually Sashiko since it is merely printing). The design itself is simple line and looks like a series of dots.
However, I am very happy and honored that the designer for the Japanese National Soccer Uniform decided to mention the culture of Sashiko. The more people hear the words of Sashiko, the bigger interest we get. It is a very important step to introduce Sashiko to the world.
To be frank, when I heard the news of this uniform, I got a mixed feeling of, “What in the world…?” and “Wow, Sashiko is getting so popular”. I am a big fan of Soccer, and I never thought of Sashiko being featured in soccer uniform.
(https://goo.gl/H37Z9A)
I, of course, prefer the hand-stitching. However, it isn’t the point here.
In order to pass down the Sashiko culture to the next generation, I sincerely believe that the spreading the concept of Sashiko is the best way to do so. If anyone gets interested in the design, then look for information about Sashiko, it is so wonderful thing through the world-wide event.
One day. Sashiko for the actual uniform.
It is very unrealistic to have the hand-stitched soccer uniform. It wouldn’t be as functional as it should be to win the soccer match. However, the dream is there. The Sashiko implemented to the modern cloth.
I will enjoy the Japanese National Soccer match with enjoying Sashiko with looking for the day I can make stitches for the national team.
This is a story how we come up with the offer of No-numbered, Muban Sashiko Thread, to provide the color which could be once in a lifetime. In 2018, we started providing the No-numbered, Muban Sashiko Thread deal online. Also, very unique uneven colors derived from the concept of Muban Sashiko Thread.
“A failure” to be the product
Since we dye our thread with Natural Dye by hands, a very small amount per dye pot, we often end up with creating the color we didn’t expect. We have created about 30 colors of Natural Dye Sashiko Thread. While some of the colors got discontinued, many beautiful colors remain as regular items with specific numbers.
We can make a suggestion based on the customer’s preference. Let’s say If you would like to get beautiful pink, #013, #014 or #015 with Madders is the recommendation.
When we happened to create the color we didn’t anticipate or didn’t meet the quality line for the evenness of color, we label them as “a failure” and we didn’t put them online for sale. Since we make a lot of stitching, Keiko used them in her Sashiko projects, and I used them in the Sashiko Livestreaming in Instagram and Youtube.
One day, a viewer of the Sashiko Live streaming in Japan commented if she can get the similar thread that I was using. I explained that it is a product by accident and we do not plan to put the number on it and sell. Then, she claimed that she would like to get it anyway, even if the color is not the much the similar and uneven.
After I exchanged the opinions about what is “failure” and “success”, I learned that the uneven and not-reproducible color can be in someone’s best interest. This is how a failure became the Color of Miracle Green.
No Numbered | Muban Sashiko Thread
Although we are getting much better in dyeing, we have made some “uneven” colors and unexpected colors.
The color can be any similar color to the 30 colors, 2 indigo Colors, and 4 Persimmon Tannin Colors. Since it is very difficult to control the inventory (only one color available for each “mistake = success = unevenness”. I will pick the 3 skeins (or 5 skeins) of No Numbered Muban Sashiko Thread for you.
For those who would like to know what kind of colors you can expect, I made 4 packages of 3 skeins of thread. When you order the pre-packaged No numbered Sashiko thread, it will tell you which color of thread you will get.
Enjoy the beauty by accident.
Whenever we make an unexpected color, we examine why it happened to make it better next time. However, the reason for the result can be varied by a lot. The humidity, the temperature, the water quality, Sun-light strength, pretty much every environmental difference can make the different color. Keiko is now good enough to create the similar colors regarding the environment, but she still makes some uneven and unexpected colors since she dyes them by her hands.
This Muban Sashiko Thread has been the best selling item in Japan. I am very happy to carry some of Keiko’s “failure”. The colors are beautiful.
Here is our 5th Collection of Sashiko Swatches for sale. Memorable #50 are so-called “Boro Inspired” Sashiko stitched Fabric. They are listed on our Etsy Store. Thanks to those who purchased our beautiful, one of a kind, sashiko swatches, we can continue introducing the more Sashiko fabrics.
Every swatch is hand-stitched, of course. We respect a story in the Japanese farmer’s history, “soybeans – patchwork” and appreciated very small Japanese fabrics. Enjoy the beauty of patchworking with Boro Inspired concept.
*A series of introducing our Sashiko swatches has consisted of many articles on this website.
Ultimately speaking, I would say that Boro Inspired fabric is “to be Boro” fabric.
There is not a significant line that we distinguish which is Boro or Not. However, in our understanding, Boro is the result of “repetitive Sashiko mending & stitching.” The single patchworking doesn’t make the fabric Boro. However, any kinds of patchworking and mending projects with respecting the concept of “Mottainai” and appreciating the fabric, we respect it.
It is just for us to distinguish what we make.
One is Boro Inspired beautiful sashiko swatch, and the one is Boro we would like to recreate after continuous stitching.
A Sample of Boro Inspired Fabric. Patchworking with vintage Japanese fabric
A Sample of Boro we revived. Check the repetitive of Sashiko to form the fabric.
A note from Etsy Description for Boro Inspired Fabric
Each of the Boro Inspired fabric is all hand-stitched and patched small fabrics here and there. It is not “quite” Boro yet by our standards, but it is absolutely beautiful and “one-of-a-kind” Sashiko swatches. They can be used as is, or to your Sashiko project. The edge is not trimmed. However, it can be used for the placemat when the friction isn’t that significant.
In a process of making Sashiko items, we collect many small swatches that we cannot even provide as the swatch. I would not prefer to list a fabric of 2-inch square. We do not throw away the beautiful fabric even if it is small. Our goal is to follow the Japanese mindset that a story tells us.
Thank you for visiting Upcycle Stitches Website. We have been adding more blog posts to enrich the contents of Sashiko and Boro. This is a Sashiko Guide to navigate you through the website.
This website, Upcycle Stitches, is a place where Atsushi shares his experience and knowledge regarding Sashiko stitching & other Japanese handcrafting culture. We collaborate with the other Sashiko and other hand-crafting artists in Japan and strive to enrich the contents to share the beauty of Sashiko and needlework (Unshin). We hope this post can walk you through as Sashiko Guide.
We provide the best & authentic Sashiko supplies
In order to answer the demand in the market, we provide the Sashiko supplies, such as thread, fabric, needle and thimble, with the great quality. We believe what we introduce on this website is the best in its quality and experience. Everything is made in Japan with respect to the original traditions and the surviving artisans’ comments to maximize the Sashiko Experience. Most of the supplies are available in our Sashiko Store within USA domestic & some international order.
Natural Indigo Dye Sashiko Thread | All hand-dyed by Keiko Futatsuya
Sashiko Needle & Sashiko Thimble. The must have items for the good Sashiko Stitching.
Sashiko Workshops to learn the traditions
In order to share the traditional Sashiko technique, we offer the Sashiko Workshop. The best way (the most efficient and confirmed way) is to take part in the on-site, Sashiko Stitching Workshop (Core & Basic), that we offer in TriBeCa Area, NYC, every 2 months or so.
Upon the requests for those who cannot travel to NYC, we have been developing the Sashiko Online Workshop.
We have just offered the first workshop in June 2018 and doing our best to continue offering it. Please check the detail here, and register your seat when you find a good time to join it.
Free and Enjoyable opportunity to feel Sashiko
We also offer a Live Streaming on Youtube, every Wednesday at 9 pm in EST (New York Time) to share the actual Sashiko Stitching.
The Live Streaming is for an opportunity to look at how the Sashiko practitioner like Atsushi makes stitching, not a workshop. We would rather talk about the history of Sashiko, Boro and other related things, why we do Sashiko and such rather than how to do Sashiko. You will find some very useful Sashiko Tutorials on our Youtube Channel for those who would teach themselves.
Your requests, questions, and feedbacks are very important for us. We may not be able to accomplish everything we receive, but we will try our best to come up with a reaction. We sincerely believe that the reactions with cares are the core of Sashiko stitching and hand-crafting.
“What is Sashiko exactly?” This is probably the question in your mind. A question of “Am I doing correctly?” would tire you out when you would like to follow the traditional Sashiko style. Well, unfortunately, even we as Sashiko artists do not have the exact answer for What Sashiko really is. Regardless of my writing about what Sashiko is, the conclusion I come up with for now is to give you the analogy which helps me to explain what Sashiko is. So here is my Sashiko Analogy.
Sashiko is like a Pizza in the USA.
There are many styles of Pizza such as Neapolitan, California style, Chicago Deep Dish, and more. Can you define which is the Pizza and not Pizza? There are good pizzas and bad pizzas, but no such a thing as the right pizza and the wrong pizza. After all, it is all about the preferences.
Sashiko is very similar. There are many styles of Sashiko developed in Japan. It is about preferences, not rules.
Origin of this Sashiko Analogy
I initially come up with the Sashiko Analogy with Japanese Miso-Soup (Misoshiru) while I broadcasted my stitching on Instagram. Japanese Misoshiru is so ordinary for the Japanese and most of the household in Japan have their own style of Misoshiru.
Sashiko is(was) also too ordinary to make it like an art form over the history. Many Japanese who lived in a poor society performed Sashiko in necessity, and therefore we have many kinds of Sashiko left: some survived, some vanished.
A Sashiko Analogy with Misoshiru is a fantastic way to explain what Sashiko is to the Japanese since Misoshiru is so close to their lifestyle. I thought of what would be an equivalent to the Misoshiru and come up with the Pizza.
It can be anything.
Applesauce that your own family made for you and your family? Sauerkraut your family fermented in your family house?
The point is a sense of “ordinary things to do = nothing special.”
With a few concepts of Sashiko behind its history and the sense of ordinary process will lead you to a good understanding of what Sashiko is.
So Where do I start Sashiko?
Sashiko is ordinary things to do. Alright.
How about now? Is it ordinary?
After the economic growth in Japan, and globalization, Sashiko is not an ordinary thing to do anymore. Therefore, many people look for information and tutorials.
I am here for that. I provide “how to do Sashiko” on my Youtube Channel and Online/Onsite Sashiko Workshops, and I talk about “why I do Sashiko” in my Live streaming on Youtube.
You can learn the basic technique of Sashiko and long-established wisdom of how beautiful Sashiko can be. I also talk how beneficial Sashiko can be for the mental, mindfulness and slow switching. By learning the history of Sashiko, I strongly believe that we can enrich our life.
Sashiko is (was) a form of needlework to achieve…
Reinforcing the fabric for the warmth
Strengthening the fabric for the durability
Mending the fabric for the repurpose and recycle (upcycle)
Decorating the fabric in the limited supply and government regulations.
When your project can follow either of these “concepts based on the purpose,” I would say you are doing fantastic Sashiko.
Of course, as you can find a good pizza and horrible pizza, there are good looking Sashiko and not so much good looking Sashiko. I am here for the better looking Sashiko. I just want you to learn not only “how” to do Sashiko, but “why” to do Sashiko throughout my website.
You may read some writing archives below. The answer to the question of “What is Sashiko?” is still on my list of things to achieve. Your feedback and request will help me to seek more!
It has been almost 7 years since I had encountered this beautiful project: Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project. I sometimes refer this project as “Otsuchi Sashiko”. The official name for the project is Otsuchi Recovery (Fukko) Sashiko Project (大槌復興刺し子プロジェクト）.
After the earthquake followed by Tsunami on March 11th, 2011, the five volunteers established the project to support the people in Otsuchi, especially those who had nothing to do but sitting in the evacuation shelter. The men had a lot of things to require the muscle power after the disaster. The young generation also had many tasks to revive the infrastructure such as distributing the support goods and clean. However, those who wouldn’t be able to move, mostly elderly women, did not have things to do and had to wait for nothing in the non-private shelter.
Not only the fish (support goods such as food and blankets) but also a fishing rod (a method to make a living).
The project tries to create jobs for those who couldn’t do hard labor outside.
They have been trying to create the community where anyone can gather for the purpose of stitching.
We all then hope that the stitching can be a part of the purposes of their new life after the earthquake.
I, Atsushi, first join the project in June 2011.
Then, visited Otsuchi for an advice on creating a business (creating jobs) in November, then two months in February and March in 2012. Ever since the first day I met the project, I have been thinking what I and Sashiko can do for them.
I had written many articles and reports regarding the Otsuchi Sashiko in English, but I had to give them up when my father passed away and the stakeholders decided to shut down the website. Well, even after the sad reality of me leaving Sashiko behind for while, my mother, Keiko Futatsuya, kept in touch with them. Now, she is the advisor of Sashiko technique and designing in Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project.
I do not find many articles about Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project online in English.
It is my mission to write it down what this amazing and remarkable recovery project is. This is a story of Otsuchi Sashiko throughout my eyes and emotions. The story may be biased a bit, but I believe I am introducing the fact as sincerely and accurately as I can.
Brief History of Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project (OSP)
Otsuchi town was badly damaged by the earthquake followed by Tsunami, including the loss of town hall and the mayor and more than 1,280 of people’s life. The survivors how needed an evacuation shelter by losing their house were more than 9,000 people.
A role for “mothers” and “grandmothers”
In the evacuation shelter, mothers and grandmothers, who were very much hard worker in their own house as a house-maker, didn’t have anything to do. There were no kitchen to cook, no living room to clean, no dishes to wash. Men and young generation could work for the cleaning debris, but the job required a lot of muscle power. Mothers and Grandmothers couldn’t help them even if they wanted to.
No car to commute. No place to work when a big part of the town is damaged by the Tsunami. The days of ladies in Otsuchi, well known for the hard-workers, had changed drastically.
The answers they had come up with was Sashiko, in which requires only a needle, thread, and piece of fabric. The Sashiko was doable in a limited space of the evacuation shelter. The mothers and grandmothers wanted to do “something” instead of just waiting.
One stitch by one stitch with hopes
An elder woman who lied down all the day in the evacuation shelter. A hard-working mother who lost her house-making job. A young woman who lost their job opportunity. Everyone in Otsuchi moved the needle with hoping the recovery of Otsuchi.
Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko project is their first step to the recovery by women in Otsuchi since June 2011.
The Earthquake destroyed the houses and jobs and took away our previous people. We, as Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project, would like to re-establish the town of Otsuch throughout Sashiko by strengthening, mending, and making it more beautiful.
*Sashiko is a needlework to reinforce, to repair, to mend, and to decorate the fabric.
A vision of OSP
*Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project = OSP
Toward high-spirited Otsuchi
OSP strives to cheer up people in Otsuchi and related to Otcushi throughout the Sashiko Project.
When a mother, who enjoy Sashiko, is happy, the household will be filled with smiles. If the household is filled with smiles, the town of Otsuchi will be energetic. When the town of Otsuchi become energetic, everyone in the town and related to the town will be happy.
Our goal is to contribute to the recovery of the town of Otsuchi.
Tell the value of Hand-made culture
We strongly respect the value of hand-made craft culture with spending so much time and putting the good-heart in it in the era of “speed” and “efficiency (productivity)” with mass-production and mass-information. “Hand-Made Craft” provide us “Care” and “Mindfulness (Mental Wellness)” by thinking of other, and using our own hands.
We actually perform the handmade craft in every day and tell how previous they are throughout the project
We also value these 5 categories throughout the OSP activities
Locality (respect to Otsuchi)
OSP rooted the town of Otsuchi, and try out best to contribute to Otsuchi throughout the project.
Particularity about Hand-Stitching
We are particular about providing the hand-stitching items for those who respect the culture of hand-made crafting. We care of customers and try our best to tell the value of hand-made culture.
Encourage the Self Esteem of artisans
We encourage our artisans (Sashiko-san) to build self-esteem of what they do by providing the opportunity to improve their skill and understandings. We also respect each other who enjoy the hand-made crafting (Sashiko)
Aiming the best continuously
We continuously try our best to improve our technique and product, and we strive to provide the best Sashiko product.
Place & Community
We respect the concept of “community”, the place everyone can gather and socialize. We provide the place where Sashiko-san (the artisans) can gagther, even without any purposes, and then the customer would like to visit to meet them.
OSP Facts
Coming soon. (Confirming the lastest numbers with Otsuchi Sashiko for their 10th anniversary)
Purchase / Support the OSP
Purchase Sashiko Items from OSP
You may purchase Sashiko items, such as workman jacket and bags, that OSP provides at the Sashiko Exhibition including the one in the major department stores. You may contact me (Atsushi) if you have a specific item (or an idea of what you would like to purchase) for the detail. I am happy to provide as much information as possible. Not many products are listed online, but I believe I can provide the good amount of information for an online order.
For example, the bag below is about $350.00 in Total. ($300.00 for the bag plus shipping and handling of $50)
You will receive a card signed by the artisan (Sashiko san) who made the bag. Since everything is hand-made by the individual artisans, each item is completely one-of-a-kind.
Support by Donation to Non-Profit Organization
The OSP is managed by the certified Non-Profit Organization, Terra Renaissance.
If you wish to make a donation to the Otsuchi Sashiko, please contact me (Atsushi) for more detail. I will try to translate and connect you to the appropriate individual in the certified NPO Terra Renaissance.
Support by purchasing the thread for OSP
Keiko and Atsushi Futatsuya have been supporting the Otsuchi Recovery Sashiko Project by providing the thread (initially free then specially discounted price for the continuously).
Needless to say, Sashiko thread is the key material to make Sashiko products. We have the campaign to ask the general public to purchase the thread for OSP naming “supporting thread” to connect Otsuchi and Takayama (where Keiko is located). If you are interested in this campaign, please contact Atsushi for the detail. (Working on the page for this now.)
We have been enjoying to have many visitors to our very first Sashiko Exhibition in Tokyo 2018. Keiko, the Sashiko artist, stayed in the gallery on May 8th. She is very happy to meet many people with a passion for Sashiko. The Sashiko Exhibition continues until the Saturday, May 12th, 2018. With many photos which I received from my friends who visited, here is the Sashiko Exhibition Report.
So many “One of a Kind” Sashiko
One of a factor that makes us an artist is the speed of Sashiko stitching we can make. Every Sashiko is hand-stitched, of course. Every item is One of a kind, and we will not be able to create the exactly the same one. (We will try our best to create the similar one if a customer requested custom order items based on the sold item.)
Patchworked Sashiko and Vintage Fabric into one unique and beautiful bags. It is breathtaking to look at so much Sashiko stitching at once.
Traditional, Contemporary Sashiko and even Boro.
We also displayed some of Keiko’s latest Jackets, from traditional Sashiko, Contemporary Design with Sashiko, and even Boro pieces. We believe some of them are museum quality, but they are all purchasable by a customer. It is because we believe that a Sashiko item will look more beautiful when it is used in the ordinary life. It is very honored to be displayed in a museum, but at the same time, we would like to see our Sashiko items in our human’s life.
Visitors to the Sashiko Exhibition can, of course, touch, feel, and try them on to feel the stitching and its warmth.
Keiko combines many japanese traditional geometric patterns into one unique pattern. This is very traditional Sashiko jacket with keiko’s design.
When we get a good quality and size of Japanese vintage fabric, we always appreciate the people who kept these fabrics. The fabric wasn’t strong enough and had holes to make it one Jacket, but we performed Sashiko and patches to be another Jacket. This is core of Sashiko Stitching
Boro is the ultimate result of Sashiko stitching. Keiko collected all torn and worn fabrics from the past, and made it one beautiful Jacket. Boro tend to be dirty and smelly, but we try to “recreating the Boro” with following the process that the Japanese a hundred year ago did.
Every Sashiko Jacket, one stitch by one stitch. We are proud of each Sashiko items. They are simply awesome 🙂
It is a recovery project from Northeastern Earthquake in 2011 to support the Tsunami victims throughout Sashiko. Keiko and Atushi has been supporting the project since June 2011. I am planning to write an article about the Otsuchi Sashiko Project with more detail, so please wait for an update.
Over the last 6~7 years, the Sashiko skill in Otsuchi Sashiko Project imroved significantly. We are so happy to share their beautiful Sashiko works with our Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya Sashiko works.
The Sashiko Jacket that Otsuchi Sashiko made with Keiko’s advise. This became a representable Sashiko art of Otsuchi Sashiko
Each person (Artisans) in Otsuchi is in charge of completing one drawstring bag. It means, every bags has different stitching size, space, and therefore they are all unique. Knowing who makes the bag is something we would like to pass down
Share this Sashiko Exhibition Report
I am honored to receive many comments that they wish they could visit the show. An international travel isn’t easy to make. However, our goal is to share our Sashiko with as many people as possible. We may be able to visit your country, city, town if someone there could invite us to have Sashiko Exhibition there (also, Sashiko workshop is an option, too)
Please share this Sashiko Exhibition Report, and let’s hope that someday we can visit your place. We sincerely would like to share these beautiful works in person. We want you to touch, feel, and enjoy what we create & what we are proud of.
Thank you for your time to read this Sashiko Exhibition Report. Keiko and Atsushi are looking forward to meeting you one day.
*We keep all the copyrights for the photos and text on this website. Please contact me if you would like to use a photo of Sashiko items on your website, SNS, and printing materials. We are happy to provide with better quality.
*I plan to update the Sashiko Exhibition Report as needed. This is version as of May 10th 2018.
I believe you have come to our website to look for the Sashiko Information. The Sashiko information you would like can be an advice on how to do Sashiko appropriately or what is the “right” way to do Sashiko Stitching. I have been receiving many questions regarding “How to do Sashiko”, and I am happy that I have been sharing what I do on Youtube, on this website, and SNS such as Instagram. The comment I made on Youtube Live Streaming on 5/2 was somewhat memorable, and here is my writing about what I truly would like to share throughout Sashiko. No more Judging your Sashiko, and No More Judging what you do.
Answers are Important, but no Judging Your Sashiko
I understand that the comprehensive direction (Answers to your questions) in crafting are very important information. Most of the questions start with either “Should I…” or “Is that okay…” for my answers. I try my best to explain what I share is merely an advise but not the answers. However, I also understand that the audience prefers the solid answers than freedom such as “you can do whatever you want.”
The website and Youtube videos are for you to find the answers to your questions instead of me giving you the solid answer full of my preferences. Once you get the solid answer, you will start judging your Sashiko with saying “This isn’t beautiful enough….” and “What am I doing wrong….”. The judging yourself is a very critical process to get better in most of the art and crafting. However, I sincerely would like to share that the Sashiko is a process of needlework with caring others, not the process of judging your Sashiko Stitching.
A machine does the perfect job. We are human, though
If I only would like to have the perfect Sashiko Stitchings, I may use a machine to make the completely even stitches. Some of the sewing machines have a computer programing built in it, so the result will be perfectly accurate. However, many people enjoy the hand-stitching Sashiko. Why? It is because that the people enjoy not only the result with human-like imperfection but also the process itself.
Since we enjoy the actual stitching, I would like you to focus on the caring part than the judging part. I understand that you cannot stop doing it, but I would like you to try that. Instead of judging how uneven the stitches are, I want you to just observe the stitching and move the next line or next project. The result will be great if you keep doing it with appreciating the process.
The process of Judging is based on the problem-solving society. It is very important to have a critical-thinking-skill to be “successful” in this society. The successful business person will analyze the situation, find the problem to be improved, then solve it. It is the necessary skill to have in business, but not in Sashiko.
Instead of trying to “fix” the problem, I want you to try “observe” it. In fact, I want you to “keep” observing it. One day, you find that not only your stitching but your mind are pretty well-ordered. This is the mindfulness of “Sashiko” and the “Slow-stitching” I call. The stitching itself doesn’t have to be slow. It is silly to just try to be slow on everything. I just want your right brain (very critical skill) to be slow a bit. At least, when you enjoy Sashiko.
When you seek answers, then you will not be mindful.
There isn’t much information you need in Sashiko. Most of them, I already provided in Youtube videos and here. You will find your own answers by being mindful, and that is the Sashiko I would like to develop from the history of Japanese and share in this world.
Grey in the middle of Black and White
Sashiko is(was) a very ordinary needlework for Japanese for the ordinary Japanese people. Therefore, culture of Sashiko is strongly related to the Japanese culture and philosophy. I would like to share many similarities of Sashiko and the Japanese culture.
The people in the 21st century, including myself, would like to categorize the “color” either black or white. After categorizing the difference, we tend to label them. In most cases, these categorization ends in dualism, pretty much “Right (Correct)” or “Wrong (Inaccurate)”.
The Japanese didn’t have the strong influence from the dualism. We believe in something in-between, so like “Grey”, to blur the conclusion. Although it isn’t the best attribute in terms of business, I find it very interesting in Sashiko stitching. Most of the questions regarding “Right Sashiko and Wrong Sashiko” comes from Western culture, not from the Japanese.
I am not saying you have to follow the Japanese philosophy. What I am trying to say here is that Sashiko is not only about stitching, but also the culture behind it. By introducing the Sashiko’s concept, I believe I can contribute to the Japanese culture, and it is the best thing I can do as a Japanese.
*I can think of many other interesting story of Sashiko & Japanese philosophy relationship. I will keep updating this entry. It will be a long one 😀
We are happy to announce the Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018 with Keiko Futatsuya (Sashi.Co) and Otsuchi Sashiko Project. This is their 2nd Sashiko Exhibition in 2018, followed by the exhibition in Gifu. They will have numbers of Sashiko Jackets, Sashiko Bags, and Natural Dye Sashiko Thread for purchase. If you happen to be in Japan near Tokyo Area, please enjoy our authentic Sashiko works!
This is our first year to offer Sashiko exhibition. Following after the Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018, Keiko and I sincerely hope that we can visit other cities to have our Sashiko exhibition to share what we love, what we are proud of, and what we would like to share.
The Detail of Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018
Date: May 8th to May 12th in 2018
[5/8 (Tuesday) to 5/12 (Saturday) in 2018]
Location: GALLERY AI in Kugayama, Tokyo.
Please contact me if you would be able to visit the gallery. I am happy to share the exact location. Everything displayed in the exhibition is subject to purchase. We want a customer to use (wear, carry, display in any daily usage) the Sashiko items, and Sashiko items become more beautiful by being used in the daily life.
Some Photos of Sashiko Items
These are only a few samples of what Keiko & Otsuchi Sashiko will display. You may be able to touch the most of our Sashiko Items. For the jacket, you should try it on if you are interested. Again, Sashiko is a form of very “ordinary” stitching developed in Japan. We do not want to make it so fancy, we just would like to enjoy the power of authentic Sashiko.
This is one of the most popular Sashiko Jackets/Ponchos in Keiko’s Collection. We, Keiko, myself, and Otsuchi Sashiko, are the group of Sashiko Professionals. I hope visiters can have a chance to enjoy the master pieces.
Not only the traditional Sashiko, Keiko will display some of her modern Sashiko Jacket. This jacket is the collaboration of Katazome vintage Fabric with her “free-style” Sashiko Stitching.
Keiko will be in Tokyo on 5/7, with wearing something very contemporary & Sashiko Stitches. This best is with Denim fabric and some Sashiko Stitching. Pretty Fashionable, I think.
I will write a report of two beautiful Sashiko Exhibitions in 2018 1st half. The Sashiko Exhibition Tokyo 2018 will be something we will be something very remarkable. Keiko is very nervous to show up as Sashiko artist in front of visitors since this is her first time! (She was not allowed to mention her name before 2014.) Exciting!!
Are you looking for Sashiko Thread? You got to the perfect place to Shop Sashiko Thread. We offer a variety of Sashiko thread including variegated colored and natural dyed.
All of the thread is made in Japan, from cotton 100%, with some unique twist for the best result of Sashiko Stitching. These are the best Sashiko stitching, and we can say out loud based on our 30+ years of experience in Sashiko field. We use these thread for our Sashiko practice.
Coron is a long-established company specialized in thread manufacture in Japan. We have been enjoying their thread more than 30 years. We are in love with their thread, and we strive to contribute to their thread manufacturing. Introducing their thread is one of my activities to “pass down” Sashiko to the next generation. Without good Sashiko thread, the Sashiko cannot be as beautiful as it is right now.
We also try natural colors from Botanical Dyes.
Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya has been successfully producing many natural colors with Madders, Logwood, and other botanical dye materials. It has the same quality of materials and the same great twist for the Sashiko stitching.
Please give a shot to use these Sashiko threads.
I guarantee that you will be in love with these threads. They will make your Sashiko stitching more beautiful, more rewarding.
Shop Sashiko Thread wisely
Since Sashiko is getting popular, you can find many Sashiko threads available in the market. Make sure to be a smart customer there. You can shop Sashiko thread wisely in two perspectives.
1. Choose the best quality and purpose
The core concept of Sashiko is to mend, repair, and repurpose the fabric. Therefore, if you have a thread already, you do not need to buy the new one. However, if you are ready to purchase the new skein of thread, make sure that you get “Sashiko” thread. The Sashiko thread with the best quality will make your stitching last longer and will improve your stitching. Some of the thread is cheap, and some are the other sides. For example, our thread price range is from $12.00 to $30.00. Sounds a bit expensive? Some of the threads are expensive because of Natural Dye such as Indigo or Kakishibu.
However, the thread length is 145 meter. Yes. 145 meter.
I didn’t use up the whole skein even after stitching the entire denim jeans pants. It is how big of an amount for the skein of thread,
2. Know who you are buying from
Since Sashiko is getting popular, many dealers are jumping into the market regardless of its small size.
Let’s say, if you purchase a skein of Sashiko thread from a non-Sashiko related dealer, you may save a few quarters. There are many markets places that the many kinds of dealers are competing for the attention. However, these non-Sashiko related dealers will not provide you the advice or information regarding Sashiko. They are merely moving a product from left to right.
If this is a market in mass production and mass consumption, then I would understand that the principal of capitalism and fair business rules: the cheaper the better.
I would say, for Sashiko, it is more like “how to preserve culture” aspect instead of making the profit for the capitalists.
Please be part of the upcycling movement by choosing the good products from a seller who sells not only the product but also the culture behind it.
Related Articles regarding Sashiko Thread
Sashiko Thread is the VERY important factor to make the beautiful Sashiko stitching.
I had had some inquiries about my tutorials that it didn’t work out. The problem can be solved by getting the thread I introduce. Sometimes, the non-Sashiko thread will not do what I share like Kasane or running stitching.
I will keep writing about the benefit of using Sashiko Thread.
Meanwhile, please let me know if you have any questions in Shop Sashiko Thread here.
