Sashiko

 ( Japanese Folk Art ) 

is a type of traditional [[Japan]]ese embroidery or [[stitching|sewing]] used for the decorative and/or functional reinforcement of cloth and clothing. Owing to the relatively cheap nature of white [[cotton]] thread and the abundant nature of cheap, [[indigo]]-dyed blue cloth in historical Japan,  has a distinctive appearance of white-on-blue embroidery, though some decorative pieces may also use red thread.Briscoe, Susan. The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook: Patterns, Projects, and Inspirations. Davi & Charles Brunel House, Wisconsin. 2005. 
Erin Burke Harris (2025). 9781607057932, C&T Publishing. ISBN 9781607057932
     

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History First coming into existence in the Edo period (1603–1867), embroidery was first applied to clothing out of a practical need, and would have been used to strengthen the homespun clothes of olden times. Worn out clothes were pieced together to make new garments by using simple running stitches. These clothes increased their strength with this durable embroidery. By the Meiji era (1868–1912), had been established enough that it had evolved into winter work in northern farming communities, when it was too cold to work outside.Briscoe, Susan. The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook: Patterns, Projects, and Inspirations. Davi & Charles Brunel House, Wisconsin. 2005.

was commonly used to reinforce already-patched clothing around points of wear, but would also be used to attach patches to clothing, making the fabric ultimately stronger. It would also be used to layer thin fabrics to create warmth, and, in the case of some garments such as the coats of firemen , to create a thick and absorbent material that would be soaked in water before carrying out duties as a fireman. Though most  utilises only a plain [[running stitch]] technique,  is commonly used to create decorative and repeated embroidered patterns, and may be used for purely decorative purposes, such as in the creation of [[quilts|quilting]] and embroidery samplers.
     

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Designs and patterns

utilises mostly geometric patterns, which fall into two main styles; , in which patterns are created with long lines of running stitches; and hitomezashi, where the pattern emerges from the alignment of single stitches made on a grid. Common  motifs are waves, mountains, bamboo, arrow feathers, , pampas grass and interlocking geometric shapes, amongst others.
Susan Briscoe (2025). 9780896891869, F & W Publications, Inc.. ISBN 9780896891869  embroidery is traditionally applied with the use of specialist [[needles|Sewing needle]] and thread, though modern day  may use modern embroidery threads and embroidery needles.
     

Many patterns were derived from Chinese designs, but just as many were developed by native Japanese embroiderers; for example, the style known as , which generally consists of diamond-shaped patterns in horizontal rows, is a distinctive variety of that was developed in Aomori Prefecture. Other developments in have come from the work of Japanese artists, such as Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), whose 1824 New Forms for Design inspired many patterns.

designs typically derive from nature, with some, considered to hold symbolism, seen particularly on garments such as the coats of fishermen.
     

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Common patterns

• — also known as

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External links

• (on origins of )
• Archived information with designs at quilt.com
• Sashiko Embroidery designs and tutorial

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