Introduction to Japanese Sashiko Stitching
A course by Atsushi Futatsuya , Sashiko Garment Maker
Discover the traditional Japanese embroidery technique to stitch, patch, and mend existing garments, and embrace sustainable practices.
Sashiko Stitchery had its roots in 17th-century Japan, when working-class people lived under harsh conditions with limited resources. Cotton was difficult to come by, so they stitched on it first to make the fabric more durable. When it tore, they would embroider over it with recycled material to give it new life. Born centuries ago out of necessity, Sashiko is now a popular fashion trend. But for the sashiko garment maker Atsushi Fatatsuya, it is much more than that. It’s an expression of his rich Japanese cultural history. From a family of Sashiko practitioners, he considers this practice as part of his fate.
After having commissioned garments for clothing stores and private clients, Atsushi teaches you Sashiko beyond the fashion trend. In this online course, take a deep dive into the history of those stitches, discover their deep cultural significance, and learn how to apply them to your favorite pieces.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 21 downloads
- 99% positive reviews (690)
- 34,278 students
- 16 lessons (2h 15m)
- 21 additional resources (10 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Enrich one of your own garments by applying Sashiko stitching.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in Sashiko stitching, at any level.
Requirements and materials
Atsushi recommends purchasing the Special Supply Package, but it’s not required. You will need thread, a Sashiko needle and thimble, and existing fabric.
Reviews
Atsushi Futatsuya
A course by Atsushi Futatsuya
Atsushi Futatsuya is a Sashiko Garment Maker from Japan. While he has been commissioned to make garments for clothing stores and private clients in his career, Atsushi does not consider himself an artist. To him, Sashiko is an ordinary cultural practice that has had its place in Japan for hundreds of years. It has been an act of necessity rather than a form of art or creativity. Having been born into a family that crafted Sashiko for a living, Atsushi considers this technique his fate. After years of drifting away from Sashiko, he eventually returned to it and is determined to preserve it as a cultural tradition and an act of the ordinary.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Before Stitching, Preparing Is Important
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What Is Sashiko after All?
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Materials and Tools
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Preparing Fabric with Geometric Patterns 1
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Preparing Fabric with Geometric Patterns 2
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Preparing the Needle and Thread for Stitching
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U3
Sashiko Stitch to "Add" Story
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Let’s Start Stitching
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What is the "Right Size" for Stitches in Sashiko?
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Making a Knot, or No Knot
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Unshin, the Core Essence of Sashiko as a Practice
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Stitching: Completing the Pattern
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Sashiko Samples
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U4
Applying Sashiko to Your Ordinary
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Mending with Sashiko
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How to Apply Sashiko Using Technique and Mindset
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"Cultural Sustainability"
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Japanese Sashiko Stitching
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
Sashiko stitching is a traditional Japanese hand sewing technique used to repair, reinforce, and embellish fabric with decorative geometric patterns. It extends the life of garments and textiles, emphasizing sustainability and craftsmanship.
Yes, this Sashiko course is designed for beginners. It starts with the basics of materials, tools, and stitch techniques, making it accessible even if you have no prior experience with hand sewing or Japanese crafts.
You’ll need sashiko thread, a sashiko needle, a thimble, indigo or cotton fabric, and basic tools like fabric markers or chalk, a ruler, and thread clippers. The course covers how to choose and prepare each item.
You’ll learn traditional and modern Sashiko stitching techniques, pattern preparation, mending and reinforcing garments, the cultural history of Sashiko, and how to create your own personalized textile projects.
The course teaches you to prepare fabric by washing and ironing, then draw or transfer geometric patterns using rulers, templates, washable markers, or chalk for accurate stitching guides.
Yes, Sashiko is ideal for visible mending of denim and patchwork jackets. The course demonstrates how to reinforce and embellish these garments using traditional stitches and creative patch placement.
Sashiko refers to the stitching method, while Boro describes textiles with layers of patches repaired repeatedly using Sashiko stitches. The course covers both techniques and their historical context.
Many of my questions about sashiko embroidery became much clearer during the teacher's course. Thank you for your professional instruction; I hope there will be more courses in the future.
Enjoyed learning about Sashiko from someone who is so deeply connected to this practice. Would love to see a follow up class from same instructor
Prowadzący jest pełen pasji i szacunku do sashiko. Dzięki kursowi dostałam prawdziwą wiedzę i zrozumiałam o co chodzi... Nauka haftu bardzo użyteczna... Bardzo polecam ten kurs.
Recomiendo este curso a personas que creen que no tienen la capacidad de crear, esta técnica desarrollará esta destreza de manera natural, se verán creando y planificando proyectos que nunca lo habrían pensado.
Enjoyed this course and recommend it to a Sashiko novice. Calm and clear instruction with an invitation to learn this art form.