The soft color from the natural dyes is significantly different from the vivid color with chemical dyes. We enjoy the color of Natural Dye Sashiko thread, especially in a process of making “Boro” so that both fabric and thread can age – change color – together with overtime. We repeatedly tested the color stability, either if the color fades out by washing, before introducing them online. However, the Natural Dyed & Hand Dyed Sashiko thread & fabric require some attention and understanding of how to handle. The color will not be washed away by regular care for the natural dye. However, we do not recommend to throw them to the washing machine with detergent (which may have kind of “bleach” in it). Here, we introduce how to handle Natural Dye Thread and Fabric.
“Don’t” do list | Handle Natural Dye Thread with care.
First of all, please never use “Bleach” in washing and to handle Natural Dye thread. One wash with bleach may (and most likely “will”) completely wash away the natural color and make it bright white. The bleach is strong enough to do its job – to make it bright white.
The point we have to pay attention here is that some of “regular detergent” may contain the same chemical as the bleach in it. For example, if a detergent say “stain removal”, then the detergent may be too strong for the Natural Dye color.
Also, putting the Natural Dye thread and fabric in the water with detergent for a long time is not a good idea. The more time the color touches the detergent, the more color may be washed away.
Do list | How to well Handle Natural Dye Thread
Generally speaking, the natural dye doesn’t go well with the chemical detergent. In need of using the detergent, please choose the “Neutral Detergent”. Although it is quite easy to find them in Japan, I do not find the neutral detergent easily in the US (we can find them but quite expensive). In that case, please try to find the “gentle” or “soft” detergent and make sure to test the thread and fabric if the color will be washed out or not. In my experience, most of the color will stay on unless the detergent is “gentle” and washed gently. However, as a baseline, please handle Natural Dye thread with maximum Care.
Summary of Do and Don’t
Do:
- Hand-wash with no detergent. Or gentle wash with Neutral Detergent.
Don’t:
- Using Bleach, or strong detergent which may contain Bleach.
- Machine wash with long-cycle (or extra wash cycle).
- Leave the thread or fabric in water (with detergent) for a long time.
Understand the reaction process
It is probably difficult to find a “Natural Dye” items in the mass-produced market. It is because the process of natural-dye requires a lot of attention and care. The color from nature will not stay on the thread or fabric by dipping them into a vat. It isn’t like a watercolor, putting paint on the paper.
The natural color stays on the thread and fabric by chemical reaction with a catalyst. We usually use the metal, such as iron or copper, to make the reaction happen. In another example, the Authentic Japanese Indigo Dye (Hon-Aizome), they use the oxidation process to create such a beautiful blue. The fabric and thread right after dipped in the vat looks somewhat “gray” or “brown”. In a process of oxidation (touching the air that contains oxygen), the beautiful Japanese blue comes out.
The chemical reaction doesn’t mean using chemical materials. Here, chemical reaction equals to Oxidation and Reduction. Vinegar will make the liquid more acidic and ash (such as wood ash) make the water more alkalinity. Either of acidic and alkalinity affects the balance of Natural Dye and could end up with washing out the color or changing the color.
Therefore, we strongly recommend using natural detergent, or just water.
The natural dye before the Industrial Revolution
One of the big reasons we use the Natural Dye thread is to recreate the beauty of Japan in hundreds of years ago – before the industrial revolution. Back then, in Japan, they did not have the chemical (artificial) detergent or bleach to wash the fabric. They did not have a washing machine either.
Instead, they washed the fabric and thread by hands with care (attention). I hope you would do the same when you handle Natural Dye thread and fabric.
By the way, this is my personal endnote (which may contradict what I had written so far). Anyhow, I DO wash my Sashiko Stitched Denim with the gentle detergent in a washing machine… I had washed probably more than 100 times over 1~2 years, but I can still see the thread color. The yellow from mountain peach looks more like white, but it still has yellowish color (I believe). I always wash it separately, with a gentle cycle of the washing machine, with a small amount of detergent as I feel. I sometimes do not add the detergent, but at some point, the jeans get smelly that we need some detergent… I hope you can find your own way to handle Natural Dye thread and fabric.
Shop our Natural Dye Sashiko Thread
Customized Traditional Sashiko on your Denim Jeans
Sashiko Up-cycle Artist, Atsushi, will perform the traditional Sashiko Stitching on your denim jeans. You may choose the pattern by yourself, and as of now, I have 2 patterns available.
The stitches will be done by hands. You may choose the color of thread from our Sashiko Thread collection. Please expect 30+ hours to complete the work.
How the order works
- Make an order to suit your need based on how much Sashiko you would like to have on your jeans. Please contact me if you have any questions for the pattern combination. I will try my best to accomodate your preferences. For example, you may want to have Asano-ha pattern on the front and the Shippou on the back. I will adjust the price for your need.
- Atsushi will make sure that we are on the same page. We will talk about the size of the pattern, the thread color, and the term I can have for the work. For now, all of the stitches will be single thread. If you prefer to have double thread for the bigger stitches, the additional fee for the thread will be charged.
- Atsushi ask you to mail your jean to me. Please read the "condition" before your shipment. We strongly prefer to do Sashiko on the used denim (not the new raw denim, please).
- Atsushi will update the process periodically, and then send you back when every process is completed.
The Available Patterns:
Asano-ha Pattern = Hemp Leaf Pattern: The Japanese believed that the Asano-ha pattern protect people (especially babies) from evil spirits.
Shippou Pattern: The pattern represents the 7 treasures in Buddhism. The Japanese used the Shippou pattern to wish the welfare.
A logo, A simple, or some letters may be available for the additional fee. Please contact me for the estimate and availability.
Sample Photos
More photos can be found in our website.
http://upcyclestitches.com/sashiko-denim-repair-se...
Terms and Condition for the service:
- I will inform you how long it would take to get service done. It is NOT promised time frame. Please understand that it is just an estimate.
- Please send me the jeans AFTER washing it. I understand that some people do not wish to wash the jeans, but doing Sashiko on dirty jeans is very difficult.
- Please send me the USED jeans, that you wore for some period of time. It is for the purpose of Sashiko & debility of Sashiko. It is almost impossible to make Sashiko stitching on New and/or Raw Denim. If the condition doesn't meet, I may return the jean with a refund with appropriate deduction.
- Please allow me to work your project on Youtube/Instagram Live Streaming.
- Atsushi can have only 1 project per month or 2 months. If I receive the several orders, the rule of first come first serve will be applied (An order without discount will be processed in priority.)
Discount & Agreement for the Discount
When you agree to the condition below, I offer 30% discount for the any project. It is my first year to share this Sashiko stitching. It is much more important for me to get opportunities than making a profit for this time.
Thank you for your understating.
Discount Code: SASHIKO&DENIM30
Agreement:
- Permission to Atsushi to use photos/videos of the mending project on our SNS & Youtube Live before, in the process, and after the project.
- A Review from you on your website and/or our review page.
- Post photos on your SNS account to share & tag the finished project to advertise what we completed as Sashiko Mending Project.
- Read and be aware of my understanding to Sashiko and Boro
- Promise that you wear the jeans I serviced continuously. I believe Sashiko shines the most in the daily usage.
We strive to serve your preferences in mending your precious denim jeans or jacket to make it one-of-a- kind as well as wearable.