Japanese Crafting with Mari: Sashiko

 

Sashiko embroidery is one of my favorite crafts.  It's easy to master and the process is very meditative and relaxing.  Sashiko is a type of Japanese embroidery that was traditionally used to reinforce clothing.  The typical colors used were indigo cloth with white thread.  Today, sashiko is used a decorative technique on every kind of textile product imaginable.

I made the Sashiko sample above using one of our pre-printed Sashiko kits. To learn how to make one yourself, visit my Sashiko Tutorial.  Enjoy! --Mari

Comments

[Cristina]

And the finished product is a joy forever everytime your get a glimpse of it. Thanks for reminding why I loved working those stitches, too.

[Amy]

such beautiful handwork.

[Jen]

Oh my goodness! I was just thinking about trying Sashiko! In researching cross stitch patterns (my mini obsession of the moment) I found some beautiful examples of Sashiko and wondered how to get started. You are reading my mind! (Or my blog? LOL) Thank you so much for the tutorial. Your tutorials and patterns are always awesome.

[Tif]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I was thinking of trying Sashiko for a while, but needed the great inspiration!

[Make and Takes]

Oh, that is something I am going to have to try. I love embroidery and that is beautiful. Thanks for the tutorial.

[Karin]

How beautiful! That's one more thing to add to my ever-growing list of crafts to learn. :)

[handknit168]

Oh, it is very beautiful, but I don't have such a patient to craft this.

[mia]

you need a lot of patient to do that. congrats.

[Else]

This is lovely work. What comes in the kit? Does purl also sell the thread, needle and thimble? I couldn't find it on your site. Thanks!

[purl bee]

Dear Else,
We do have all of the material required to make this sampler. You will need to buy the printed sashiko sampler, thread, needles and thimble separately. You can find a link to the sampler above, it says "sashiko kits" in red text, just click on it and you will find the kits. You can find links to all of the other products in Mari's Sashiko tutorial "materials" entry (linked below) All of the items that are red text will link you directly to the products you are seeking.
http://www.purlbee.com/sashiko-tutorial/2008/1/19/sashiko-tutorial-materials.html

[Angela]

just wanted to ask is it necessary to use a backing with sashiko? i tried pellon to give the stitiching more depth and the fabric more stability, but the fibres pull through with the needle. I am going to try whisper weft next, which should provide fabric stability but hopefully will not pull through to the front of the work. What do you think?

[purl bee]

Hi Angela,
It is not necessary to use a backing with Sashiko. If you want more depth it might be more effective to use very thin cotton batting. You can find our thin cotton batting here:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/battinglist/loft,1

[veliasquiltstudies@gmail.com]

Is there a Japanese traditional way to QUILT a top that has been embroidered white sashko on Indigo King size ? The quilt top was purchased on ebay. I would like to quilt it with indigo blue but wonder if there is a traditional quilt design. VeliaLauerman, veliasquiltstudies@gmail.com
517 448 2323, 108 North st., Hudson, Michigan 49247 9705