Stitching Sashiko By Shannon & Jason
When we first started researching the origins of crazy quilts, we had no idea it would result in the deep dive that would significantly change how we forever create our textiles. When we start working in a technique or style that is new to us, we investigate its history and origins. For us, the context is as important as the content. In this case, we were looking for a portable workshop to add to our teaching catalogue that had an affordable kit with minimal materials. Crazy quilts were a common presence in both our lives growing up so we are intimately acquainted with their construction, and they could be hand pieced and finished. Perfect! Luckily, the Seattle Public Library is a fount of information including reference books, videos, and scholarly journals so we started there. Wait… isn’t this a sashiko book? Yup… we’ll get there… it’s a journey.
…So, we started there at the library website. Reference materials noted, digital copies browsed, and links acquired, we opened an insanely large number of browser windows to hungrily devour the information. We hit a snag when we found a paper written that tied crazy quilts to “mended Japanese textiles” seen at the Centennial Exposition held Philadelphia in 1876. We couldn’t immediately understand the link between our topic and these mended Japanese textiles, but we were all about mending and up-cycling projects, so we veered in that direction. Long story short (too late), after obtaining a copy of the original program (yes, we are that kind of textile geeks), we discovered… nothing. Not ones to be easily defeated, we opened one final browser window with the search input “mended Japanese textiles.” Our eyes and minds were opened, and we heard that sound you hear in cartoons when the character has a revelation that comes down to them from above in a shaft of sparkly light. The image in front of us was from the Amuse Museum in Japan and the subject was a hanten that was so mended and patched that hardly any of the original fabric was visible. The result is a glorious textured textile that is still difficult for us to describe to this day. So here is a photo.
We were in love and every image that followed only served to cement that adoration. How were these created? Who created these? Our original search abandoned, we discovered the world of the Japanese people during the Edo period (1603–1868 CE) and learned how they mended, reinforced, and beautified their handmade textiles using sashiko hand stitching and boro patch mending. Longer story longer (really too late to make this short and sweet now), we have taught hundreds of hours of live workshops, recorded dozens of streaming workshops, and have published three books of stitches and projects about and utilizing sashiko and boro. For a full dive into the history of sashiko and why it was such a necessity to the people whose hands created it, check out our books Boro & Sashiko – Harmonious Imperfection, and Contemporary Kogin-zashi.
Fast forward to today. This brand-spanking-so-new-it-still-has-that-new-book-smell book, Stitching Sashiko, is a distillation of hitomezashi and moyouzashi sashiko techniques and includes forty stitch patterns (including ten new patterns). Every stitch pattern includes the final photo and the detailed stitch charts to help ensure your stitching success
Now for our favorite parts about this book. Stitching Sashiko is designed specifically for use as a reference guide which means it is great for looking up a particular stitch pattern or browsing for some inspiration. Each stitch pattern has a full page with the chart and finished pattern photo which means the charts are large and easier to read. The singular stitch pattern per page also makes it easier to confirm where the needle goes next with a quick glance without shifting all your focus away from your work.
Next, like our other sashiko books, the open edges of each page are printed with the subject of that section. No searching and when you want a refresher on tools, how to handle the needle, how to prepare the fabric for stitching, or how to read sashiko stitch charts, quick flip to that section by looking at the page edges and you’re ready to go.
And now one of our absolute favorite features of the book which makes is even more functional as a sashiko reference guide—actually this isn’t just one feature but is the overall physical design of the book—The cover of Stitching Sashiko is seriously heavy-duty glossy cover stock which means it can be tossed into a project bag or backpack to create an on-the-go maker’s moment for yourself when you are out at the park, at the local coffee shop or guild meeting, or on traveling. It is also much more compact than our other sashiko books, so it won’t take up too much space. We get it… space in that oversized tote is still at a premium. But here’s the kicker (drum roll please) Stitching Sashiko is spiral bound! Yes! Metal spiral bound pages means it is an even more sturdy edition that will not easily smoosh, but those lovely spiral bound pages will lay flat while you stitch without having to precariously balance your coffee mug or that wine bottle on the edge of the pages while you work. Open to the page you need and get to stitching.
Don’t get us wrong, we have each and every one of the books we have written for C&T; they all turned out beautifully, but this one is clever from cover to cover in both design and layout. Packed with information without being cramped, easy to read and searchable, a sturdy, accessible design, plus over 40 stitch patterns? We’ll take a copy! Oh… wait… we have one… or a few dozen. But you should definitely grab your own copy today and probably a copy for your guild and your friends.
We’ve said it many times before but sashiko as a mending technique is stunning and effective but don’t pass on it as a surface design for garments that are just a little ordinary looking and need a fresh look. We use these stitch patterns for quilting, garments, giving a facelift to home dec items, holiday ornaments, and bags (Shannon has a thing for bags). If you’re anything like just you will fall in love with the texture and character sashiko adds to just about every project and you will end up finding any excuse to try out your new sashiko skills.
Should you find yourself wanting to explore more styles of sashiko and projects using sashiko and boro, check out our books Boro & Sashiko – Harmonious Perfection and Contemporary Kogin-zashi, as well as our kits, workshops, and Sashiko Stitch of the Month series on our website at shannonandjason.com.
We hope you enjoy Stitching Sashiko as much as we are right now. We just opened our box of books a few hours ago and laid eyes on it for the first time. We are absolutely smitten. Our wish for you is to find even a bit of the passion we have for this gorgeous and practical multi-functional technique in your embroidery, mending, quilting, and crafting projects.
STITCH ON!!
Shannon & Jason
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