Category: Sashiko

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.

Sashiko Instagram | Photos from Sashi.Co & Us

08/28/201703/31/2019 atsushijp 1 Comment

We started an Instagram Account about 2 years ago and haven’t been active so much until recently. Since our Sashiko Instagram Account starts getting some attention, we enjoy sharing our Sashiko arts and hear from followers their opinions. Your voice is always our encouragement to continue Sashiko. Let’s enjoy Sashiko more by sharing the photos of Sashiko Achievement.

Find and follow us on Pinterest

Sashiko Instagram | Photos from Keiko & Atsushi

[instagram-feed]

The photos are displayed in a chronological order.

Find your favorite photos by clicking “load more” and click the like button so we understand which photos are more attractive to the followers. Your action encourages us to make more Sashiko arts.

Sashiko and Boro are both our focus. In fact, we believe, the Sashiko is a process of appreciating the fabric, and the Boro is the result of its appreciation, repetition of Sashiko. Our goal is to introduce the concept and products of Sashiko. By sharing the beautiful arts/crafts of Sashiko and Boro, we hope to influence to the society, even a bit. In the fast-speed society, this slow-life may help some people to realize the importance of appreciation by reconsidering what we have. We appreciate fabric by repairing, mending, reinforcing and strengthening instead of replacing them and throwing them away. Mottainai – they are too good to waste. We, the Japanese, had a beautiful mindset with appreciation.

Join our slow, powerful, yet small movement to appreciate what we have. It is beautiful. It may be the next trend in the Fashion. Tired of wasting? Bored with looking alike all the time?

Let’s enjoy our life by appreciating it.

Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th | #015 ~ #019

08/22/201708/22/2017 atsushijp 1 Comment

One of our Sashiko Stitched Swatches is sold out. We are so happy to share these beautiful all-hand-made pieces of fabrics. We still have been adding the Sashiko Swatches to the Etsy Store. It is our Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th here.

The price may surprise someone who is not familiar with real Sashiko. We believe the pricing isn’t outrageous because of the materials (Japanese Vintage Fabric and Natural Dye Thread) and the time we had to invest in. At the same time, we would like as many people as possible to enjoy the touch and beauty of Sashiko Stitched Swatches. If you have any idea or advice on that, it would be very appreciated. Well, first, I probably should advertise them better since not many people visited the page yet.

*A series of introducing Sashiko swatches is consisted by many articles on this blog. The previous article is here.

Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th Edition

1. #015 Indigo Vintage Long with Asano-ha

*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. It is a long vintage fabric with a hint of Sashiko. A very rare fabric in the market.

The Japanese Vintage Fabric, especially those with Natural Indigo Dyes, has been geeting so popular over years. The thin cotton fabric with Indigo Dye, and beautiful Sashiko stitches could be used as the window hunger (Noren) before. It is stunning.

2. #016 Indigo Vintage Fabric with Kagome

*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. A small, trimmed fabric. Good for a placemat, coaster, and as the materials for your project.

Thick Indigo Dyed Fabric with basic Kagome Sashiko Stitching. The reasonable price will expand the options in your Sashiko (or any kinds) projects.

3.#017 Thread Bobbin (Itomaki) Sashiko

*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. The one-of-a kind. We don’t have the pattern any longer.

The Japanese used the Thread Bobbins (Itomaki) as the picture shown above. The stitcher this Sashiko used its image to express the passion of Sashiko, I believe. The Sashiko stitching with Classic Sashiko Itomaki Bobbins.

4.#018 Kamon and Vintage Fabric

*Click the title to purchase and for more detail.

The Kamon (家紋）Pattern is something we all Japanese appreciate. The Indigo Dyed Fabric with the Kamon Pattern Stitched is very special for us. The stitcher used chasing stitching (追っかけ – Okkake) to reinforce the stitching. This piece of fabric can be a great addition to your garment or any other projects to make it “one of a kind.”

5.#019 Kamon with Bird. Lighter Indigo with White Thread

*Click the title to purchase and for more detail. It is the similar item from #001.

Gorgeous Sashiko fabric with Kamon sytle bird designing.

We have 3 kinds of options with different types of fabric and different colors on the exactly same design and craftsmanship.

We Keep updated to our Sashiko Swatches Collection

In order to make Big Sashiko Project, such as Jackets and Bags, we would need to collect many types of fabric, Sashiko artisans & craftsman. We sometimes test the stitching result to see if the thread color matches the fabric, either the design match to the big project. We are happy to share some Sashiko pieces we didn’t use. A concept of Mottainai – too good to waste – is here.

This was the page for Sashiko Swatches Collection 4th, and 5th will be coming up soon.

Japanese Shima Kasuri Textile for Sashiko

08/17/201708/17/2017 atsushijp 2 Comments

A pile of sample swatches of Japanese Shima (stripe) and Kasuri textile has arrived at the Upcycle Stitches. About 50 kinds of beautiful fabric made in Japan is available for sale and to be used in custom order. Some of them are not suitable for Sashiko. We will recommend the best fabric based on your preferences. I sincerely respect the manufacturers of Japanese Shima Kasuri Textile and I would like to continue using these beautiful fabrics as long as we can. The beautiful Japanese Shima fabric and Kasuri fabric with collaborating Sashiko stitching will make very unique, and beautiful house goods, such as coasters, placemats, and more. Even bags and jackets are available to made to order.

*The photo shows the placemats and coasters made from Indigo Dye Fabric with Sashiko stitching

Indigo Dye, Shima Stripe, and Kasuri

When we enjoy Japanese traditional fabrics, we come across these keywords of Indigo Dye, Shima, and Kasuri. The Japanese cared what they wore in their unique fashion sense. Some of them were developed during the period when Japan closed its country border to the foreign countries. The era of National Isolation. We appreciate the hand-craft culture, and sincerely respect those who inheritance the technique and culture to continuously produce the great materials.

We are happy to introduce some of these beautiful fabrics to the world, with our proud technique and culture, Sashiko stitching.

All the samples of Japanese Shima Kasuri Textile

We have more than 50 kinds of fabric in form of small swatch.

As of now, we don’t share the most samples, but you are welcome to visit us to check the sample book. When we can build enough inventory, we will start providing the samples to retails shops/studios across the US. Although the sample is not available, the fabrics are available for sale. Please contact me for more detail. I will send you a PDF with photos of the sample and the price sheet.

*Some fabric is available for sale as well as sharing the samples.

Contact Atsushi in Upcycle Stitches

Hand-Stitched Sashiko Jeans ~ ASANO-HA CO1

07/29/201708/09/2017 atsushijp 2 Comments

A challenge in 2017 of Modern Denim Fashion came out pretty good. It is still in the process of Sashiko, I thought of sharing the beautiful image of the progress. I received an interesting question if I am hand-stitching or not. Yes, everything is done by hand so it is genuine Hand-Stitched Sashiko Jeans. It took about 20 hours to complete the Asano-ha pattern. Here is a step by step image how used jeans turn out “one-of-a-kind” Sashiko Jeans.

Each process of Hand-Stitched Sashiko Jeans

Hand-Stitched Sashiko Jeans 1 — New Denim is difficult to do Sashiko on. Pick a used jeans with soft fabric.

Hand-Stitched Sashiko Jeans 2 — Try to stitch the straight line first. Think of efficiency.

Hand-Stitched Sashiko Jeans — The pattern started coming up. It is very rewarding time. Enjoying it.

Hand-Stitched Sashiko Jeans Final — After filling the final line, we can enjoy the beautiful Asano-ha pattern.

Time-consuming but very rewarding

Since it is hand-stitched, the process of making Sashiko stitching is very time-consuming. Some may say that using the machine would speed up the process and avoid the troubles of spending so much time. In fact, there is a sewing machine to make “Sashiko look stitches” available for sale in the market. However, I believe, the imperfectness of hand stitching make the pattern more beautiful. Even speaking of the speed, when we make a stitched to the tailored jeans or jackets, hand-stitching may be faster and efficient.

My goal is to keep this culture and share the technique

As I keep mentioning in this website, my goal is to keep this Sashiko culture to the next generation by sharing the technique. At the same time, for those who are interested in wearing Sashiko jeans, I will restart accepting the order to perform Sashiko stitching on the customer’s garment. It is a time-consuming process, so I cannot take many orders… so sharing the technique is also very important to achieve my goal.

Regardless. Look at this photo. It is so cool and beautiful.

The hand-stitching with “recycle, upcycle, repurpose” concept in sustainability with Slow Fashion may be your choice. Repair it instead of replacing it. The recycle and sustainable fashion can be fashionable and cool.

Modern Denim Fashion with Japanese Sashiko

07/27/201706/28/2024 atsushijp 3 Comments

The word of Sashiko is getting popular in many industries, even in a field of fashion. As the Sashiko artist, I am happy that people get inspired by the image of Sashiko. Although some seem to misunderstand what Sashiko is, the spreading the concept of Sashiko matters first. As a part of my Sashiko challenge in 2017, I restarted practicing Sashiko on the denim fabric. I hope my sample pieces would influence the modern denim fashion, and contribute to the actual Sashiko culture, “the repurpose, appreciation to the fabric, and sustainability.”

*Please refer to the previous article regarding my understanding to Sashiko and its definition.

The fabric lasting longer by rich stitching

Sashiko is a form of stitching to repair, mend, and strengthening the fabric. The famous Japanese vintage fabric “Boro” is the result of repeated Sashiko stitching. Sashiko is well-known for patching and mending the hole in the fabric and torn fabric. In the modern society, Sashiko transformed its concept a bit and now well-known for decorative stitching from Japan.

In my Modern Denim Fashion projects, I perform both stitching to strengthening the fabric and mending the torn fabric. The fabric gets much stronger by having so many rich stitching. When the fabric is stronger, the denim garment can last longer. The longer we can use the garment, the more appreciation we can have to the fabric. For a touch of enduring style, consider vintage mens watches that reflect timeless craftsmanship.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the garment with Sashiko is even more beautiful (fashionable) with stitching?

The possibility in Sashiko with Modern Denim Fashion

Every stitch is done by hands… Therefore, I cannot produce many samples in the short period of time. However, I hope, these samples with Sashiko stitching will influence the modern denim fashion field and spread the concept of Sashiko. It is very difficult to change the mass-production and mass-consumption society. I do not intend to criticize this beneficial industry. In fact, I get to benefit from mass-production. I just would like to spread the concept of appreciation to the fabric, mending and repairing, and ultimately, “repairing it instead of replacing it.”

Please wait for my update with more samples. I believe we can surprise the world.

*You can purchase the swatches of sashiko fabric to patch (stitch-on) to your garment instead of stitching directly.

A Subtle difference in Sashiko White Thread

07/25/201707/25/2017 atsushijp 1 Comment

Indigo Dyed – dark blue fabric and white thread; it is the most popular fabric-thread combination for a long time. Even in modern society, Sashiko with the dark blue fabric and white thread is unique and beautiful. We have two kinds of Sashiko white thread; Original White (Ecru White) and Bright White (Bleached White).

Sashiko White Thread Difference — Above: Original White #10/ Below: Bright White #12

Comparison in Sashiko White Thread

The thread #10 Original White has an ecru color. In comparison, it is more like the cream color. The thread #12 Bright White is the snow-white color, and it is the white we think of when we say, white. #12 is the brighter white than #10. I named #10 Original White because #12 is dyed (bleached) to make the pure white color.

Both of them are the perfect thread for Sashiko stitching. The color you may choose is up to your preference. Here is a sample Sashiko fabric that I use both #10 and #12 on Indigo Dye Fabric. Interestingly, when you stitch the 2 Sashiko White Thread on the Indigo fabric, #10 looks also pure-white. We choose the thread color AFTER we find the fabric because the stitching on the fabric will decide which thread will result in the color we are imagining.

*This is the reason Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya dye the thread by hands: to create the color we would like to have on top of 22 color selection.

Sashiko White Thread Comparison — Left: #10 Original White / Right: #12 Bright White

Even we aren’t so sure how color of stitching come out

Keiko has almost 35 years of experience in Sashiko. She always says, “We can imagine how the color of stitching will come out. However, it isn’t certain and we cannot promise the color result when we try something new.”

When we start a new project, we often make a small stitching sample to make sure if the fabric and stitching match as we imagine. It is another reason of difficulty in accepting a custom order over the Internet. Although we want to achieve the result is as the customer imagined, the combination sometimes results in difference to the image based on the color chart. We accept an order from the people who understand this difficulty of finding the right thread.

Well, in fact, this difficulty is actually what makes Sashiko more interesting.

We never know what’s gonna happen until we actually start stitching. Isn’t it like a life?

Gradation Color Sashiko Thread with Sample Stitching

07/19/201707/19/2017 atsushijp Leave a comment

Recently, I enjoy making “Thread Bobbins – Itomaki” like the photo below. They are just so cute. Itomaki is a process of preparing to start Sashiko efficiently. However, I kind of enjoy the preparation process than actual stitching for now. Well, both Sashiko Stitching and winding the thread are the great meditation to calm me down. Here are the Itomaki Bobbins I made for gradation color Sashiko Thread.

*I sometimes refer Gradation Color Sashiko Thread to Variegated Color Sashiko Thread

Enjoy the color variegation

Five selection of Gradation Color Sashiko Thread is one of our best selling products on our website. The color variegation adds great charm to the Sashiko project. For example, by using #203 Pink-to-White Color Sashiko thread, you will get the great Sakura (Cherry Blossom) color when you make a flower design pattern on the fabric.

Sample Stitching with Gradation Color Sashiko Thread

I received some requests to untie the Variegated Color Sashiko thread, so I made the sample Sashiko stitching with it. From left to right, #205-#204-#203-#202-#201. I stitched about 3~4 lines for each color. The design of sample stitching is simply the parallel lines with changing the thread by a meter or so. It is beautiful as it is already colorful.

In addition to 5 Gradation Color Selection, we have 15 Solid (Mono) Color Selection, 2 Sashi.Co Original Color Selection, and more than 25 of Natural Dyed (Botanical Dyed) Selection for the Sashiko thread. They are all great for the Sashiko Stitching. As I repeatedly say, I strongly recommend you to get the best Sashiko Thread available for your investment. Sashiko requires you to invest a lot of your time. I want everyone to have a great result, and good quality Sashiko thread will be a good reward.

I will make sample stitching fabric for the other colors I have.

Keep you updated with us. Enjoy Sashiko!

*All of the Sashiko Thread is available in our Etsy Store as well as Amazon Market Place.

Wallet Sashiko Boro Repair Project

07/16/201708/18/2017 atsushijp Leave a comment

Since 2012, I have been using a Sashiko card-holder as a wallet to carry my debit/credit cards. After repeating putting my jeans pocket so many times, even the Sashiko fabric start getting torn. When I share the photo on Instagram, many people reacted to the photo how interested they were to see the process of repairing. It became like a Boro mending, so here is my Wallet Sashiko Boro Repair Project.

Repair it instead of Replace it

My wallet looks like the photo. There are some holes. The edge of wallet started fraying. Soon or later, the wallet will be completely torn and it will not function as the card-holder. Replace it, or repair it to reuse it.

First, the most important step. Preparing the Sashiko fabric to patch. I prepared several kinds of Sashiko fabric to see which one is the most appropriate fabric.s

Choosing the “right” fabric for the project is very fun part. I spend good amount of time to decide the one would be great on Wallet Sashiko Boro Repair Project.

After selecting the fabric, the repairing stitch start. Unlike the Sashiko running stitch, repairing takes more time, one stitch by one stitch. Since the needle go through several layers of fabric, it is so hard to push through the needle. The pain of my finger is the by-product of this beautiful Wallet Sashiko Boro Repair.

Here is the photo of before and after.

The repair for inside wasn’t necessary much. I made a few stitches to reinforce the patch I made outside. The few stitches look pretty unique as well.

The Concept of Wallet Sashiko Boro Repair Project

“Upcycle” and “Repurpose” are the keywords on our projects. When I realize my personal belonging (besides pairs of jeans) requires the Sashiko and Boro mending project, I was excited to repair that. The more I repair the fabric, the more I feel the attachment to the item. Using one item with care instead of replacing them every time you see the damage is the key concept of our activities.

The Wallet looks a bit like a Boro piece. By repeating the repairing, it will be more beautiful like the other famous boros. We, whoever interested in Sashiko and I, are creating the future Boros.

Sashiko Patchwork and its Concept

07/14/201707/14/2017 atsushijp 1 Comment

The Japanese used to say; “When you have a piece of fabric as large as the size you can wrap three soy beans, you should keep it so the piece of fabric may be useful in repairing.” We respect this concept in appreciating the fabric. We repair Boro with the small fabric, and we make a larger fabric as the Sashiko Patchwork.

A way to appreciate fabric: Sashiko Patchwork

The Japanese have an interesting word, which became quite famous outside of Japan, “Mottainai（もったいない）.” This term conveys a sense of regret concerning waste. Personally, I would like to translate this term to “appreciation to the resource” instead of “regretting the waste.” When a person throws away the food, we say “Mottainai.” Although it indeed describes the regretfulness of the waste, I prefer respecting the concept behind the regretfulness of the word, the appreciation for the food as the limited resource.

The same concept applies to the fabric. We try to keep as many small pieces of fabrics as possible. By using them in Sashiko Patchwork or Mending Projects, we intend to give the fabric another purpose. Our main activity is to repurpose something which could be just a piece of garbage. Turning waste to the beautiful & useful things are the basic concept we follow.

Needless to say, it is easier to use a sheet of fabric to make a bag.

Patchworking with small fabrics is a troublesome and time-consuming process. However, we believe the beauty of Sashiko patch working can influence many people who love arts, and contribute to the sustainable society by up-cycling and repurposing the limited resource.

The bag is made by Keiko (Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya).

One of Keiko’s specialty is to find the best small patch from a pile of “To be waste fabric” and create the beautiful piece. Keiko and I share the same goal of bringing the old fabric which people no longer need (use) back to the main stage of fabric. The main stage as the items being used by us.

Another way to appreciate: Repairing and Boro

A process of repairing the fabric with Sashiko and the resulting in Boro is another way to appreciate the fabric. We also repair Boro. Please spare some of your time to read another section of this website. We share many stories and projects of Boros.

Japanese Dressmaker Tracing Paper for Sashiko

07/10/201707/10/2017 atsushijp Leave a comment

I have been introducing the same carbon paper, so-called “Chakopee”, the Japanese Dressmaker Tracing Paper. There is a note written in Japanese on the back of product package. Here is the translation of note on using the Japanese dressmaker tracing paper appropriately. For more information how to use the tracing paper, please refers the video tutorial (listed on the bottom of this article) of “how to transfer the Sashiko pattern”. The package of 5 sheets is available on this website.

The product is available with the Selection of 4 colors is available now. Pick the color which matches to your project.

– White
– Blue
– Yellow
– Pink

Notes on using Japanese Dressmaker Tracing Paper

The Pattern will be erased by washing the fabric with water.

Read it before you use it.

– Please try to use a small piece of fabric (which you plan to use) and the corner of this paper to test if the pattern washed off as you wish, wait until the pattern gets dried thoroughly, and test it.
– When you erase the pattern, please avoid using the Oil-based solvent such as Benzine.
– If you iron the fabric before erasing the pattern, the pattern may stay stronger and get more difficult to be washed away. Please be careful with that.
– If the pattern does not get washed away by just water washing, please try to wash with neutral detergent by hand. Please AVOID DRY CLEANING.
– You may experience the difficulty of transferring the pattern onto the thick and bouncy fabric such as felt. (The thick and bouncy fabric isn’t ideal for Sashiko.)
– After usage, please keep the paper in the bag, and avoid the high-temperature &high-humid condition and direct sunlight. Please reach out from children’s reach.

Personal notes from experience.

– Using a ballpoint pen with good pressure will result in a good transferring
– If you press your hand when you hold the fabric and pattern, the shape of the hand may be transferred as well.