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.
Here is a Sashiko Q&A to give you a general understanding of what Sashiko is. Please contact us if you cannot find the answer here. I will update the Q&A periodically to answer questions.
*Revising Ongoing. Send us your questions to enrich the Sashiko Q&A contents.
What is Sashiko? What is Boro? Any difference?
Sashiko is a form of stitching developed in Japan a few hundreds years ago.
In my definition, Sashiko is a process of repairing, mending, reinforcing, strengthing and decorating by hand stitching. Boro is a result of Sashiko or a piece of fabric work in the process of Sashiko. Boro (mean worn fabric in the Japanese language) doesn’t mean the technique or process. Sashiko doesn’t mean the product of Japanese symmetric patterns. Sashiko is a process, and Boro is the result. This is my definition in between them. You may use any kinds of fabrics, threads, or how many layers of fabrics to do Sashiko (typically 1 or 2 layers of fabrics). Boro can be anything unless it is the result of mending or repairing with patches: patching the worn part of the fabric.
I am still on the research to understand what Sashiko and Boro are. Please refer the links below to read more articles about Sashiko and Boros.
Almost every product I list online is for sale. If the price is listed, it is the last product the producer (either me or Keiko) decided the artwork is in the completed shape. If the price is not listed, the artwork is still under the small process to make them better. When the photos are listed, the product is almost ready to be in completed shape. Usually, the price is not listed because we feel “we could do something more.” Please contact us for the further details if you find something interests you. We will send you more information with the price.
Our artwork is “one-of-a-kind” product. Once it is gone, we will not be able to create the exact same one. We may ask you to let us have some time to take photos for the records.
One of my hopes in future is to plan a road trip in the United States with Sashiko products and Sashiko supplies. Visiting local craft stores and introducing Sashiko to the store owners would encourage the movement of Sashiko stitching. I also hope that I can come up with the idea for the wholesale options when I am on the road. Introducing the Sashiko supplies, talking about Sashiko Arts with actual Sashiko products, and possibly offer the workshops in the local stores would be a fantastic opportunity for me to achieve my goal; to introduce Sashiko to the world.
Let me know that You Are Interested
The plan may sound like me being a peddler. Somewhat yes, because I will be someone who travels about selling my products and service.
However, I do not just want to be the salesperson. I would like to introduce and talk about Sashiko, to represent us in the local place to spread what we love about Sashiko. Sashiko isn’t only about stitching or Japanese symmetric pattern. It is about how we perceive our life and how to enjoy (savor) our life.
I would need to set up the numbers for the wholesalers to keep this going, but my priority is the passion of the store owner. I want him/her to share the passion of Sashiko to the local customers. It is the best way to spread what we love about Sashiko.
Please contact me to let me know you are interested to have me and talk about Sashiko. I will register you as a destination of my road trip, and when I finally can leave to a road trip, I will let you know that I am coming. There are no fees to register or have me to your store. You don’t even have to purchase anything from me if you decided that Sashiko is not your taste. So, please contact me from the link or the form below if you are qualified as my Sashiko Road Trip Destination.
Conditions for the basic Road Trip
Owns a store(s)/shop(s) of hand-craft, preferably with embroidery, patchworking, and quilting line ups. The Japanese/Asian theme store is also a possibility. You do not have to be the owner of the store if you can involve the owner or a manager into the discussion.
Willing to provide me an overnight stay; either in the store or owner/registeree’s place. A room in a hotel would be fine, but I prefer to talk for as many hours as possible in a limited time, so please consider to provide me a room / a place to stay. I will be happy with a regular room temperature (not freezing or heating) and roof/wall to avoid wind and rain.
Let’s talk about Sashiko.
*I would like to keep the Sashiko Road Trip as my life-work. We don’t have much budget, so your understanding and support would be very much appreciated. A room to stay would help me a lot in terms of saving expense, as well.
*If you do not have a physical store on the street in the commercial zone, please mention that first. It is my intention to spread the beauty and its concept of Sashiko. I would like to visit you with the customized offer to your offers.
Possible Sashiko Road Trip as of 2017~2018
As I occasionally mention in this blog, my primary job is to take care of my family. I am a home-maker to support my wife and 2 years old daughter. As much as I wish to travel more than a week, like a month of visiting to-be-friends, I would only have a few days of the road trip. The maximum days would be 4 days including the weekend.
Because of this limitation, I set the maximum distance from our house. If your shop is located within about 300 miles radius of Lewisburg, PA (17837), the road trip to your place would be possible.
If you would like to have me but reside outside of this radius circle, please consider to have me for the workshops or other opportunities. When the travel expense is paid and will be able to have opportunities to introduce Sashiko, I am willing to invest my time to travel.
Sashiko Road Trip to the world.
I limit myself to travel within a small part of the world due to my priorities.
However, my hope and wish don’t have limitation. When I have more time and less responsibility, I am willing to (and more than happy) to make a Sashiko Road Trip at anywhere in the world. I may visit your country, and possibly your city. Please come back to the website from time to time and/or subscribe our newsletter for the latest information. I will advertise the road trip in advance with a good time manner.
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?
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.
*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.
*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.
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.”
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.
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.
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
New Denim is difficult to do Sashiko on. Pick a used jeans with soft fabric.
Try to stitch the straight line first. Think of efficiency.
The pattern started coming up. It is very rewarding time. Enjoying it.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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?
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.
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 SashikoBoro 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.
