I love your shop and intention even more. Thank you for sharing this history and your experience. Beginning Sashiko is how I found you and learning this skill is aptly timed.
I am delighted to have found you here! The wider world is starting to grasp the secret that all hand stitchers know instinctively. It’s what what keeps us grounded as it has done since the beginning of stitching time.
This was a very interesting read! Thank you for sharing - immediately subscribing.
Question - have you ever taught, or would you ever teach, an online workshop or practice space for sashiko?
I’ve never done it, but I’m deeply interested, as my own ancestral practices include stitching and weaving and my grandmother just can’t do it anymore to show me.
Thank you so much Jess. I do occasionally teach Sashiko classes online via Zoom. I am taking a break from teaching at the moment, but if I resume teaching classes I will be sure to put the information out. Thank you for asking.
I’ve never heard of this technique before. Thank you for educating me. I recently took up quilting (by machine) and while I’m loving it, my hands always itch to stitch. I always fit embroidery or cross stitch somewhere into my day. Now I need to explore this further. Also, I’m sewing these days as if my life depends on it, it’s keeping me calm and sane, my light in the dark. Thanks for the reminder that I’m not alone!
I am right there with you Cheryl. Stitching helps me make it through the days. I was a very avid quilter for many, many years and find myself slowly meandering back towards it, although I am much more interested in hand quilting this time around :)
Thank you for sharing! I love sashiko and am glad to hear that with practice the stitch become more consistent. I've been doing it for a number of years now and my stitch still feels quite random.
I have found that practice definitely helps. I also did a lot of pre-printed samplers when I was starting out. I feel like that really helped me build muscle memory in my hand and made it easier to get the rhythm of regular stitch length when I started to branch out on my own without the pre-printed patterns.
Do men do this? I mean I know there is no law preventing it but in my stage of life it’s drawing me in and I wondered about your experience teaching guys
Yes, absolutely. One of the better known modern practitioners of Sashiko in Japan is a man and I've had several men in my classes over the years. My advice when someone is looking to get started is to find a pattern that you are drawn to since hand stitching is a slow process and you will be looking at it for a long time. The more you feel connected to the design you are working on the greater sense of satisfaction as you watch it come to life with your stitches.
Claudia, thank you for sharing this history with us! I admire your stitching. It means even more now that I know something of your background and the history of Sashiko. Best wishes, Martha
I love your shop and intention even more. Thank you for sharing this history and your experience. Beginning Sashiko is how I found you and learning this skill is aptly timed.
Thank you Sandi
I am delighted to have found you here! The wider world is starting to grasp the secret that all hand stitchers know instinctively. It’s what what keeps us grounded as it has done since the beginning of stitching time.
Very well said Mary!
This is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. Thank you for sharing. I want to know so much more!
This was a very interesting read! Thank you for sharing - immediately subscribing.
Question - have you ever taught, or would you ever teach, an online workshop or practice space for sashiko?
I’ve never done it, but I’m deeply interested, as my own ancestral practices include stitching and weaving and my grandmother just can’t do it anymore to show me.
Thank you so much Jess. I do occasionally teach Sashiko classes online via Zoom. I am taking a break from teaching at the moment, but if I resume teaching classes I will be sure to put the information out. Thank you for asking.
I can't wait to read this. I recently got a hole in my favorite denim shirt and wanted to mend it with this technique!
Thank you for this! Your article both resonates with my use and intentions in practicing Sashiko as well as adds to my knowledge of its origins.
I am so glad you enjoyed it.
I’ve never heard of this technique before. Thank you for educating me. I recently took up quilting (by machine) and while I’m loving it, my hands always itch to stitch. I always fit embroidery or cross stitch somewhere into my day. Now I need to explore this further. Also, I’m sewing these days as if my life depends on it, it’s keeping me calm and sane, my light in the dark. Thanks for the reminder that I’m not alone!
I am right there with you Cheryl. Stitching helps me make it through the days. I was a very avid quilter for many, many years and find myself slowly meandering back towards it, although I am much more interested in hand quilting this time around :)
Thank you for sharing! I love sashiko and am glad to hear that with practice the stitch become more consistent. I've been doing it for a number of years now and my stitch still feels quite random.
I have found that practice definitely helps. I also did a lot of pre-printed samplers when I was starting out. I feel like that really helped me build muscle memory in my hand and made it easier to get the rhythm of regular stitch length when I started to branch out on my own without the pre-printed patterns.
Do men do this? I mean I know there is no law preventing it but in my stage of life it’s drawing me in and I wondered about your experience teaching guys
Yes, absolutely. One of the better known modern practitioners of Sashiko in Japan is a man and I've had several men in my classes over the years. My advice when someone is looking to get started is to find a pattern that you are drawn to since hand stitching is a slow process and you will be looking at it for a long time. The more you feel connected to the design you are working on the greater sense of satisfaction as you watch it come to life with your stitches.
Thank you Claudia!
So interesting!
Thank you for this.
Fascinating that all this creativity came out of restrictive policies. Thank you for this.
That's so great, I just started my first sashiko piece.
Thanks Pauline! I hope you enjoy stitching up your first piece.
Thank you for telling this history of Sashiko. Very interesting to know the roots of the practice.
Claudia, thank you for sharing this history with us! I admire your stitching. It means even more now that I know something of your background and the history of Sashiko. Best wishes, Martha
I need to take a class and learn this technique, so beautiful. Loved learning some of its history too!