Kakishibu Persimmon-Dyed Sashiko Exploration

Get acquainted with this ancient Japanese art through our sashiko kit. Led by artist Jessica Marquez of Miniature Rhino, this beginner-friendly workshop covers the foundations of sashiko stitching with samplers, patternmaking, and a large-scale custom pillow project that is almost too pretty to put on your couch. Founded in rural Japan, sashiko (or “little stabs”), creates a design of running stitches through swaths of fabric to mend, strengthen, and reinforce garments. Over time, the craft developed into more intricate patterns used for embellishing, quilting, and weaving fabrics together. Our sashiko kit includes carefully curated shams (sewn in collaboration with our local seamstresses) and tools used by sashiko stitches around the world.

Jessica shares a variety of sashiko pattern making techniques in our Sashiko Workshop. For those that would like to try circular pattern making, Jessica has curated a materials kit for advanced pattern making.

Please note: this materials kit is purely optional and not necessary to explore Jessica's full workshop tutorial. Intrigued by circular patterns? This is an opportunity for those that are ready to try something special and new building out on the sashiko techniques Jessica shares.

Included in this listing:

• 2 circular drafting stencils curated by Jessica - her go-to studio stencils (translucent color allowing for view through to the fabric, 58 commonly used circle diameters with center lines)
• a hera marker (a tool made in Japan for the purpose of making creases and marks on fabric, pressure on the tool makes creases which can be seen on both the front and back of the fabric without leaving any residue)
• a gridded booklet for building out custom pattern making ideas

Happy exploration!

Jessica Marquez is the artist behind our popular  Sashiko Workshop. In her book Make and Mend, she shares her expertise in sashiko, a Japanese stitching technique that uses patterns to decorate and repair textiles and clothing. Ideal for crafters of all skill levels, sashiko is wonderful because it requires little more than a needle and thread to begin. Throughout the book, you’ll discover a variety of projects to inspire your making from mended jeans to decorated tote bags and tablecloths.

Dimensions: 7.73 x 0.71 x 6.76 inches

Length: 160 pages