Recent sashiko projects - a challenging and playful task

First of all I'd like to thank Futatsuya san for sharing the techniques and philosophy behind sashiko (刺し子). The information was extremely helpful, and gave me a different perspective as well as better understanding of what Sashiko originally was meant for and how it was used in Japan. Before that, I thought of it as a purely decorative stitching method with recurrent patterns. As Western internet users and influencers often share pictures of boro (ぼろ) I had the impression that Sashiko was indeed mainly used to repair clothes. Here, on the other hand, I learned that Sashiko was established to strengthen cloths BEFORE holes and rents appeared. I am extremely grateful for these insights. ありがとうございました.

Keeping these ideas in mind I went for three different stitching projects - and more are yet to come.

The first picture shows a Hanazashi (花刺し) pattern, which was stitched with persimmon tannin dyed (Kakishibu, 柿渋) sashiko thread. When Futatsuya san talked about asanoha (麻の葉) he mentioned that overlapping stitches are OK as long as you follow your personal rhythm. Because the linen I used was relatively thick and showed certain irregularities it was however difficult to find a rhythm. That was part of my journey. Learning by doing. It was tough to stitch the needle though this cloth but I eventually made it and I am satisfied with the first result. Next time, I will use I thinner linen oder cotton cloth and work on my rhythm.

The second image shows repaired trousers my sister gave me (thin fabric around the knees). She asked me for the following things:
(1) stitch circles that reflect the surface of water,
(2) mend the trousers in an 'organic' way avoiding hard lines or rectangular shapes,
(3) add goldfish with air bubbles.

It was actually a lot of fun: the denim had very little elastane, the circles were easy to make and I was able to play around with fish shapes. It was a good project to practice the different techniques I learned during the course. I soon realized that the thread, cloth, needle and pattern I use/choose require a different mindfulness or attentiveness. I'm sure I will always adapt to the materials I used and sashiko patterns I pick, so sashiko is nothing I will ever master but a continuous learning process!

The third and last project I'd like to show is a rather playful way of using different stitching techniques. It is NOT limited to sashiko!!! It is rather a collection of Japanese motives, patterns and traditional embroideries.

I used Japanese cotton cloth that was left from a Yukata (浴衣) as well as a yellow linen that was way thinner than previously shown. I combined these colours and fabrics to s bowling shirt. The colours inspired me a lot, which is why I decided to use embroidery thread rather than sashiko thread. The collar and pocket were in purple. I followed the natural grid of the cotton and created persimmon flowers (柿の花). Because of the fact that the grid is uneven the flowers were slightly elongated.

While keeping the front of the shirt plain and simple I designed a colorful back using different shapes and colours.

I am a huge fan of cranes. They are load and beautiful precursors of spring and winter. Here, they act as a prism. The light sashiko patterns enter the prism from the top and exit on the other side as filled flowers. Blue stand for frost patterns (=winter), purple for the first flowers of the year (=spring). I change from light to dark colours (blue, purple, green, black and white) and play around with their effects.

Why did I do that? Initially I planned to use green sashiko patterns on yellow cloth. but it didn't turned out well. There is a reason why blue and white are a classic! So I made the best of the situation and filled the patterns with more thread (the birds and the persimmon flowers). It is not what sashiko stands for - I know that - but this projects shows how wonderful it can be combined with other stitching methods and techniques.

The shirt was meant to be done in three or for weeks but because of the filling process it took me half a year to come to this point, and I'm not sure if this is already the end. Sashiko evolves, it changes, it is full of potential. There are so many things to consider and there are plenty of opportunities for you. But right now I need a short break and find other things to do. Maybe a postcard stitched with asanoha, maybe dying a fabric with indigo once it's stitched. We'll see.

I personally feel a lot of respect for those who use sashiko on a daily basis and perform this beautiful and ambitious craft! And, again, ニッ家さん,ありがとうございました。