There’s something deeply liberating about sashiko patchwork. Rooted in Japanese mending traditions and inspired by boro-style textiles, it invites you to let go of perfection and simply stitch. There’s no pattern to follow—and no such thing as a mistake.
That’s why I love sashiko when I’m chatting with friends or on the go. It doesn’t require close attention, just a needle, sashiko thread, and some fabric scraps.
This isn’t a craft built on rigid instructions or a need to “get it right.” It’s about making meaning from the mix. I lay one fabric edge over another, thread my needle, and let the rhythm carry me.
I mostly lap the fabrics, taking care to use ~1/2" overlap and enough stitches to secure the join. Sometimes I sew right sides together then finger press it. I definitely leave on selvedge edges. Tearing the fabrics instead of cutting them ensures I follow the grain lines and have less unraveling. A simple running stitch is all that's needed. I prefer using a long sashiko needle so I can load up several stitches at a time on my needle. No fancy tools, no tracing intricate designs—just the repetition of oftentimes-wonky stitches.
Most days, I stitch straight lines. Other times, I follow a fabric edge or scatter cross stitches here and there. Whether I’m sipping tea by myself or stitching with friends, sashiko always meets me right where I am: calm, forgiving, and mostly mindless in the best way.
If you’re ready to give it a try, our Fabric & Thread Bundles are a perfect starting point. They’re curated with sashiko patchwork in mind—coordinated and ready to go, so you can dive in without overthinking color or fabric combinations.
For me, making patchwork with sashiko isn’t about the end product. It’s about the process. Sometimes I turn finished pieces into something else e.g. a pouch or sachet, komebukuro drawstring bags, or a accent on a pillow cover. More often, they go into a growing stack—maybe I’ll use them later, maybe I’ll cut them up and patchwork them into something else.
There’s no rush, no rules. Just the joy of stitching, one line at a time.
