Recently, I’ve been getting back into doing sashiko as a way to relax in the evenings. I love the simple, repetitive motion that gives a beautiful, handmade result. There are many patterns, some regional, some represented throughout Japan.
If you’re not familiar with sashiko, it’s a running stitch style embroidery from Japan. Sashiko means “little stabs” and I feel aptly describes the stitches. It started as a way to repair fabrics, make them more durable, and add layers for warmth. A craft of the common people. In time it turned into an artform and traditional craft. In historic items, you’ll see white stitches on blue fabrics. Indigo was a dye available to the lower classes and cotton could be spun at home.
Patterns often have symbolic meanings for well wishes and protection for the wearer. Wives and enterprising crafters would make the pieces - from fancy jackets to humble cleaning cloths. Sadly, the makers names are often lost to history. We just have the surviving historic textiles.
The coat below is a gorgeous example of what can be done with sashiko.
Image above is public domain, photo donated by Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Hitomezashi means “one-stitch”. It’s a style stitched on a grid and has one stitch per grid space. Below are a few coasters I was working on. Left is the grid alone, and right is one I finished stitching. With this style, you can create an amazing number of patterns.
.5mm grid drawn in white chalk on navy cotton fabric.
Grid drawn in water erasable ink. Stitches made the size of the grid spaces.
I follow The Green Wrapper on YouTube. (I think the channel name comes from her videos on using a furoshiki - a reusable wrapping cloth.) Her coaster project videos inspired me to make my own and learn the hitomezashi technique. So I’m working through each coaster tutorial. (Link to Coaster #1 video.) I hope to use them as gifts throughout the year.
Here’s my first set. (Finished them just in time for a friend’s birthday.)
Diamond done in white sashiko with colored stitches for the crosses on repurposed cloth napkins.
The second set uses a pattern called Dan-tsunagi. (Link to Coaster #2 video.)
Stairstep style pattern on preprinted fabric. (Ink is water soluble though you have to soak it for a good 1/2 hour or more.)
