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What is Sashiko? Early
18th Century Japanese wives of farmers, fishermen and lumberjacks made warm garments
for the men by stitching two pieces of heavy fabric together using fine running stitches
throughout the entire garment. At first, the stitching was used for reinforcing and
repairing damaged fabrics but later became more decorative. The cotton fabric was
dyed very dark blue with the root of a native plant. We know this color as indigo.By the end of the century, this particular style of stitchery was known as "SASHIKO". Around the late 19th Century, sashiko appeared in cities. The style was adopted for warmth but the stitching designs became more elaborate. Patterns were adopted from kimono prints, fabric weaves and nature such as, bamboo, ocean waves, flowers, etc. Sashiko is also used to decorate pillows, table cloths, runners, purses, potholders and many other things.  Machine Sashiko Technique, taught by Bette Gant The sashiko design packages #1 (shown on the jacket, pattern #1994), #2 (shown on vest, pattern #1998), #3 (shown on kimono, pattern #1997) are provided to you as shown to the left and can be purchased with or without my patterns on the orderform or online. Each packet contains some great Old Asian designs. If you will be working with my garment patterns, you can match design placement as shown on the back layout sheet in each packet or place them as you feel looks pleasing.  If you are creating "your own thing", try to mix curve-type designs with geometric designs. Create 5/8 inch "avenues" between the designs to give the eye a break, thus creating a more pleasing look than a hodgepodge of lines running together. Directions To keep your purchase price down, these Sashiko designs are printed on copy paper. These sheets will serve you for a long, long time if you have them laminated. You can go two ways with lamination. Kinko's and other print shops can do it for you or I bought some laminating material from "Sam's Club" called Cleer-Adheer Do-it-Yourself, a "C-Line Product" #65001. There are 50 sheets in a box and no special tools are needed. Office supply stores might also have it in your area.  After laminating the designs, lay a sheet of ìPellon Fusible fabric for
lightweight fabricî on top of the Sashiko design. You can now see the design through
the fusible fabric. Next, trace the design to the fusible fabric using a Marvy Fine
Point Marker. The fusible fabric gives you three big perks: 1. Transfers the design perfectly to the back of the fabric. 2. Stabilizes the fabric so there is absolutely no stretching on the bias stitches. 3. Adds enough body so in most cases, you do not need inner facing Now your ready to iron your fusible design right onto the back of your garment pieces. Now see how easy it is to machine Sashiko following the clear design? IYou can order the fusible fabric, #8 DMC white perle cotton thread, special bobbin and Marvy pen from me on the orderform or on the supplies page if you can not find it in your area or for convenience. |
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