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.
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.
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?
It was a surprise to me. I thought the language would be an obstacle to provide enjoyable/informative workshops in Japan to someone who doesn’t understand Japanese. However, Keiko managed to provide the Boro Sashiko Patchworking workshops and the participants enjoyed it very much. They mentioned that the workshop was the highlight of their stay in Japan. Our goal is to introduce Sashiko. So, if the participants would be satisfied and happy, there is enough reason to offer Sashiko workshops in Japan. Here is the offer from Upcycle Stitches to arrange Customize Sashiko Workshop in Japan, provided by Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya.
Update in 2019 for Customize Sashiko Workshop
We made an update for the prerequisite for a Sashiko or Boro Workshop in Japan. Please take a look at the new requirement. Thank you!
*If you live in the USA, Atsushi offers Sashiko Workshops throughout a year. Upcycle Stitches is open to customizing the workshop to meet your preferences.
*If the schedule doesn’t match or too far to come and join, we recommend taking Sashiko Online Workshop in English before the visit so you know the basic and core technique before your visit.
Keiko explains what Japanese Rice Bag is. Thank you, Arielle, for sharing the great smile!
[Previous Update | April 2018]
We have completed several workshops in 2017 & 2018. We learn from the experience, and we are strived to provide an enjoyable workshop. For that purpose, we strongly recommend the participants to have basic sewing skills. The language is not a problem when the participants can comfortably use a needle, and Keiko can give them advice by showing (not explaining).
If you aren’t familiar with needlework and would like to learn the basics of Sashiko stitching, please consider takingAtsushi’s Workshop in the US or Sashiko Online Workshop.
In 2019, we have a new prerequisite for scheduling any workshops in Japan – to provide a better and more enjoyable opportunity.
You would like to learn what Sashiko is like from the active Sashiko artist while your visit to Japan?
This is an opportunity for you to visit the town called Takayama, visit the artist’s house, and learn Sashiko and/or related fields. Since Keiko doesn’t speak English, it will be through “help from technology such as smartphone app” and prepared articles. Most of the workshop is operated by “doing it” so not much verbal communication would be necessary. Keiko can try to communicate, and you will be able to communicate through whatever communication skills and technology we can think of.
Atsushi from Upcycle Stitches will arrange the workshop based on your needs and availability of artists in Japan (mostly Keiko). If you are interested in Boro, we can focus on mending Boro and fabric. If you are solely interested in Sashiko, we can try to make the Sashiko stitching workshops. We just started the challenge to customize Sashiko workshops. Although we may not be able to answer to all of your requests, your request will make this challenge better and possible.
We will follow the basic Sashiko rules, of course. Workshop focus on having fun by DOING it.
*Keiko doesn’t have a store, an office neither a studio in Takayama yet. You will visit her private house to have a workshop. We would ask you to provide us your basic personal information to keep our activity safe and stable.
What we can offer
Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya and Atsushi from Upcycle Stitches LLC can offer a few types of Sashiko workshops in Japan. Atsushi usually takes responsibility of Sashiko workshop in English. In Atsushi’s workshop, there will be an explanation of what Sashiko is, how to use the thimble and needle appropriately, the brief history, and continuous Q&A session throughout the workshop. In Japan, in the customize Sashiko workshop, the participants will focus on “doing” than “learning.” The information you would get maybe less comparing to participating in Atsushi’s workshop. However, you would have more time to work on the projects and learn through moving your hands with Keiko.
As of now, Keiko is happy and confident to offer:
Boro making workshop
From a pile of Japanese Vintage Fabric, which Keiko collect, you will make the one of a kind Bag for you.
The fee consists of 2 components; the arrangement fee and the workshop fee.
The Workshop Fee:
10,000JPY (About $92) ~ and up / per participants
The fee varies based on your request. We would ask you for your preferences such as;
How long you would like to stay there to learn Sashiko and Boro making
What kind of items you would like to make
The base fee of 10,000 JPY is about for 2~3 hours of the workshop with making the Boro placemat together. If the participant doesn’t finish the placemat, we will provide the necessary supply to complete them later on.
Please be advised that Keiko only can take cash in Japan.
Pre-payment with Credit Card can be arranged. Please read the cancellation policy for the payment.
The Arrangement Fee:
$75.00 ~ and up / per visit
The workshop can be as long as a few days to complete the purpose. This is the fee toward Upcycle Stitches LLC to arrange the workshop, translate the necessary materials, and accommodation (translation) over the visit if necessary. If you are a graduate of Atsushi’s workshop (in NYC or Online), the arrangement fee will be $25.00 without any assistance to teach the basic and core of Sashiko stitching.
Sample Case for Boro “Bag” Workshop:
The Arrangement Fee of $100.00 and the workshop fee of $100.00 per person. The length of the workshop depends on the participant’s skill, but it would be roughly about 4 hours. If you are visiting yourself, the total will be $200.00. If you are a group of 4, the total will be $500.00 and which is $125.00 per person.
Threads, Fabric, and everything else for Sale
Sashiko Thread, including the Sashiko thread Keiko hand-dyed with Natural materials such as Indigo and other vegetables, Fabric for Sashiko, and everything else you would need to maximize your Sashiko experience will be available for sale with the special price during the workshop. Also, some of Keiko’s work, such as Sashiko Jackets, Sashiko Bags, Boros, and more will be also available if you wish.
Please contact us through the form below. Atsushi will get back to you as soon as possible. If you do not hear from me within 2 days, please send me an e-mail to “info●sashico.com” (Please change ● to @.）
We are honored and happy to introduce the new Sashiko Needle Big Eye Straight Thin from Tulip Needle Company in Hiroshima, Japan.
Needle Manufacturing in Hiroshima has more than three hundreds years of its history. Tulip Company was established in 1948 and thay have been producing fine needles for all crafting purposes. No need to mention, almost 70 years of its beautiful history proven the quality of their products is supreme. With collaborating to Sashi.Co & Keiko Futatsuya, Tulip Company produced the great Sashiko needle for the sashiko stitching purpose.
One day, Keiko received a favor to use their previous Sashiko needle if she could provide the suggestion for the improvement as the active Sashiko artist. She used the needle in the several unofficial projects, and then she provided the report with advice. Based on the report, Tulip Company created the beautiful tool for Sashiko: Sashiko needle Big Eye Straight (Thin and Thick Size)
A Thin size is available.
A Thick Size is available.
Good tool make your project rewarding
Sashiko requires you to spend a lot of time. The hand-stitching is the beauty of Sashiko, and as long as it is hand-stitched, it takes a lot of time to complete. We want you to have the beautiful stitching result so your project will be rewarding. One of the most important preparation to have the best result is to get the supreme quality tools. Although we have already introduced our Sashiko needles we use, the Sashiko needle from Tulip Company would be the very nice needle to have a side. The different project (fabric/design ) would require a different kind of needle.
I will make a report of how these two needles are different based on my experiences from now.
Not only their needles are so beautifully made, but the package of Sashiko Needle Big Eye straight also attract people’s sense of beauty. I wish we could soon produce the beautiful package like this. I believe the package of Tulip needle can be a good gift idea for your friends you would like to share the passion of Sashiko.
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.
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.
My goal, through Upcycle Stitches LLC, is to introduce what Sashiko is to the world. In other words, I would share the Sashiko techniques so everyone can enjoy Sashiko stitching and its culture behind it. “Make Sashiko as open-sourced information” is the key phrase I came up with. Not everyone has to be like me or Keiko. I want each craftsman/artist to use the technique and culture I use to expand their possibility in their own project/art.
If I could meet a fashion designer who appreciates what I have been sharing through Sashiko, it would be a great return for me. Well, how about my dream? I suppose I should also mention about my Sashiko Dream, and why I am investing so much money and time into Sashiko. Aside from sewing, some also turn to link alternatif sip777 games a form of hobby.
A Sashiko Studio where people can gather
My immediate Sashiko Dream is to have a Sashiko Studio where people can gather for their Sashiko needs. I would host various kinds of Sashiko workshops regularly. People could come and ask questions about their Sashiko project. Good Sashiko materials and supplies such as threads, fabric, and tools would be available for sale after touching the actual samples. Visitors can share their projects and get/give inspiration to/from others. The studio can be a small place, but I would like to update my “virtual studio” in my house to the actual shop on the street.
Days we can fully focus on Sashiko and its operation
Most of the profits from our online stores, workshops, and advertisement on our media are accumulated for the dream above, to have the studio. It is a bit of my personal story, but my full-time job was (still is) to maintain my family. I am a home-maker father. Cleaning, Cooking, and other house chores come first to me in a daily basis. Thanks to my partner who provide the bread to the family, I can continue what I think I should, Sashiko.
Even Keiko, who is a great Sashiko artist, occasionally work part time as a cafe-waitress to get some extra cash for her expenses. It isn’t easy to maintain the life with engaging in “all-hand-made crafts” industry. Regardless of our personal situation, Keiko and I believe that someone would need to pass Sashiko to the next generation, to the future, and I believe that “someone” would be us and our friends in Japan, and all over the world.
One day, we would be able to just focus on Sashiko. Hosting many customers who are interested in Sashiko and provide the appropriate answers and solutions.
That is my, and our Sashiko Dream for coming a few years.
Sashiko as a form of culture
How about a mid-term dream? From now, my personal understanding kicks in a lot. So please read it as my opinion.
Sashiko is now a form of “hobby.” I am not saying the Sashiko artists are creating their products unprofessionally. I am saying it is difficult to make Sashiko as an industry in this society. I do not know a person who lives by doing only Sashiko. In other words, I don’t know anyone who lives without the additional income resources (or other financial support like me).
Although there were small Sashiko industries in some towns in Japan, Sashiko used to be merely a daily chore. In snowy towns surrounded by mountains, women stitched to repair or strengthen the fabric for men over the winter when they didn’t have farming jobs.
Chore, Hobby or Industry. I don’t know what is the right form of Sashiko to be passed down. However, I would like to keep the culture of Sashiko including its history and concepts behinds it.
Culture is something we intend to leave for
Some people say that things or concepts survived for a long time and remained its form is so called culture. Personally, I think culture is something we purposefully try to leave for the society. If everyone on the earth agreed that we no longer need the concept of Sashiko, then, what I am trying to do may be a waste of time. However, by meeting many people who are interested in the concepts of “sustainability, repurpose, and recycle,” Sashiko will remain in the future by receiving a lot of supports from many people. We would like to be the part of the movement, and moreover, we would like to protect what we have.
It is much easier to preserve what we have than researching and discovering what we had.
Being famous is a process to make Sashiko Dream come true, not the goal.
Very nice people who met us and who saw our Sashiko arts tell us that they want Keiko and I be famous. We are very honored to recieve these compliment, and we would like to be famous if there is a chance. However, being famous is neither our goal nor dream. It is a process of acheving the Sashiko Dream I described above.
Places where we Upcycle what we have.
The more I meet people who appreciate the culture of sustainability, the more I feel I would need to learn about not only Sashiko but also the concept itself.
Even limited to Sashiko, I know only the one aspect of Sashiko technique and the history in one small region. Other than Sashiko, the learning materials is unlimited.
One day, I would like to have places where we share the culture, technique, and passion to upcycle what we have.
One afternoon, I refurbished my 5 years old Sashiko Wallet by patching and Sashiko Stitching. I enjoyed the process, and the result was even more enjoyable. I felt that I followed the path of Boro: when Japanese kept mending their fabric with needle and thread. Then, I realize… why don’t I mend and repair everything I put on? Here is a statement of my silly challenges; I purchase No More New Cloth.
The outline of the challenge is quite simple. I don’t purchase the new cloth such as Jackets and Jeans. I will keep wearing what I have now, and I will keep mending and repairing the garment when it get torn or hole. I have been enjoying the denim mending with Sashiko. On top of my interest, this challenge may investigate the possibility of recycling the cloth and fashion. The core concept is: Repair it instead of Replace it.
I will purchase the fabric to mend and repair. Every time I repaired my garment instead of replaced it, I will update the website to make the challenge progress report. This should be a fun challenge since I always tried to purchase the good quality cloth instead of cheap fast fashion cloth (of course, some of them are from fast fashion brand…) I hope this challenge can influence the society even a bit.
A few exception
Please understand these categories are the exception of this challenge. Only because I don’t want to make the others uncomfortable more than necessary. Original Boro is pretty dirty and stinky, but my challenge should focus on clean recycling and repurposing.
New underwear, pairs of socks and towels
Formal cloth such as the business suit and tuxedo
Gifts and Presents from others
The biggest obstacle for this silly challenge
Well… on big obstacle for this challenge is my body shape. Since I became the father, I gained more than 20 pounds… Some pairs of jeans is too tight to wear. So I will watch my weight and keep repairing what I love.
People may have an image of Sashiko as the careful slow hand-stitching work; carefully making one stitch by one stitch. It is very important to concentrate on every stitch. However, I believe the Speed of Sashiko stitching is also very important when you enjoy Sashiko. The faster the person can stitch, the more project he/she can work on. The more projects he/she can finish, the better the Sashiko technique will be.
Take a look at the video I took for Japanese Running Stitch. No tutorials or descriptions are available on the video, but it will show you the concept of “running” stitch. It isn’t as fast as the machine stitching, but stitching the pattern one stitch by one stitch will take too long to “enjoy” Sashiko.
Another reason I occasionally mention about the speed of Sashiko is the rhythm of running stitch. As you can see on the video, I make about 3~5 stitches in one pushing and make the total of 20~30 stitches before pulling the needle through. This rhythm is very calming. I feel like it has the similar efficacy to meditation. When I am in the rhythm, I lost the sense of time.
I would like to introduce the other side of Sashiko efficacies besides making the beautiful patterns and it makes fabric stronger/repair the fabric. In order to share the aspect of Sashiko I am enjoying, the speed of Sashiko stitching is quite important to explain first.
The Speed of Sashiko I can perform now
It took about 90 minutes to do Sashiko from the photo_1 to photo_2. Once you learn how to use thimble and needle appropriately, achieving the speed on the video is the matter of practice, absolutely NOT impossible. The faster people can stitch, the more they can enjoy Sashiko. The more they enjoy Sashiko, the better up-cycle and re-purpose culture would be. I hope you would have a chance to learn how to use thimble and needles to achieve the Speed of Sashiko.
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.
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.
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.
