Sashiko is a traditional form of Japanese embroidery that employs a basic running stitch to create a series of repeating, geometric patterns. Sashiko has a storied legacy with both functional and decorative applications. Born of resourcefulness and enlivened by improvisation, peasant women used Sashiko to fashion whole pieces of cloth from recycled rags. This process of Sashiko (the stitch) and Boro (the layering of textiles) increased the strength, warmth and durability of the few items of clothing and household textiles that they owned. Bound by geographic isolation and harsh living conditions, these women showed a reverence for using materials at hand. But more importantly, they fashioned and repaired their clothing with care and extraordinary effort, developing a distinctive style, noted for its geometric simplicity.
Many of the popular traditional Sashiko patterns and motifs are simplistic expressions of nature and natural phenomena; plants, water, animals, birds, clouds. This sashiko sampler features Seikaiha, or the wave motif. It represents waves, or water and is representative of power and resilence.
The sampler includes a cloth panel in navy, made of 100% cotton. The panel measures 13" x 26", and is folded in half. One half of the panel is pre-printed with the motif, the other half is blank. The printed markings makes it easy to know just where to stitch- and how long each stitch and the spacing in between should be. The markings wash out when you are done stitching. (You do not want to pre-wash these samplers!) These small projects are a great way to get started with sashiko stitching.
The package contains the fabric panels only. Sashiko thread, needles, and a thimble are recommended and sold separately.
To complete this sampler, you will need one skein of Sashiko thread and a Sashiko needle. Sashiko thimbles are really helpful when you begin to layer fabrics, but are not really necessary for a sampler of this weight. (I offer a couple of brands of Sashiko thread and in the listings, discuss the relative weights and thickness of each.)
Remember- this is a kit. Like all kits, you get the material and/or supplies to create the project. But that's just the beginning! Perhaps there are other ways to incorporate these quilted squares in other things that you are working on. They are an ideal size to create a pillow, hand towel, furoshiki cloth, a bag or zipper pouch- or consider a way to incorporate it in your next visible mending or Boro project. I like to stretch mine on a thin piece of foam core board and frame them. The possibilities are really endless.
For inspiration, I have included a couple of Sashiko samplers that I have stitched and are framed and hanging in my shop. When we travel, I love to bring along a sampler to work as it helps to keep my hands busy and my mind relaxed. Plus- the supplies needed to hand stitch are so few that they all fit in a small bag. Perfect for travel as well as sitting through endless hours of kids sports practice. (The smaller version of this sampler, featured in picture number 6, is a coaster, which is available in another listing. It is much smaller than this sampler, but in the same pattern.)
Sashiko Sampler: Makes one sampler measuring approx 13" x 13" (33cm x 33cm) each
Total fabric size is 26x13
PRODUCT DETAILS
Kit contains pre-printed 100% cotton navy fabric
The stitching guide is marked on the cotton fabric
Made in Japan by Olympus
** Please note that all instructions are in Japanese.
