ARCHIVED ONLINE EVENT – Moyozashi Sashiko (stab stitch) Workshop

Date
Tuesday 15 December 2020 
Time
10.30am - 12.30pm (GMT)
For countries outside the UK, please use this calculator to check the time in your region.

Booking Details
£25 per person
Booking essential - Priority for Japan Society Members and their guests

Please note that spaces are limited to 6 participants in order to allow one-to-one instruction and so early booking is recommended.

Sashiko, meaning ‘little stab’ is the Japanese art of stitching beautiful patterns using running stitch. Often used to add strength, texture and warmth to old garments, Sashiko has become synonymous with complex repeating patterns and precise stitching. Although most people will be familiar with the traditional white stitches on indigo fabric, sashiko thread actually comes in many shades, allowing for a wonderful variety of colourful designs.

In this online workshop, led by Rob Jones, the participants will be introduced to variety of Sashiko patterns, and will focus on Moyozashi Sashiko (pattern sashiko) where the patterns change direction to make a larger one. They are characterised by a series of dashed line running stitches of even size where the stitches never touch each other. The stitches add extra strength to the fabric and this is a technique that can be used in boro fabric repairing.

This is a project based workshop where participants will pick one of three designs and stitch the design onto a white fabric.

Participants will need the following materials and tools:

• Some fabric to stitch on
  
• Sashiko thread: This can be in any colour of your choice and that will work with the fabrics selected
• Sashiko needle (or alternatively, embroidery needles)
• [OPTIONAL] Thimble or sashiko coin thimble
  
• Soluble marker pen
  
• A side plate or similar sized circle to draw around: This will contain your pattern
• A smaller circle template: If you don't have one look around your house for circles to draw around. An egg cup or lid of a vitamin bottle could be just the right size
• A pair of sharp scissors
  
• A ruler
  
• A sheet of sandpaper and masking tape are useful

If you have a cutting mat this is ideal for marking up patterns using the marked grid

Sashiko kit can be purchased from Romor Designs and some materials and tools from Susan Briscoe Design.  

London-based Romor Designs was formed in the autumn of 2015 by Rob Jones, a Shibori textiles designer and natural dyer. Having discovered Shibori, the ancient Japanese art of resist dyeing, at West Dean college, Rob went on to study in Japan under indigo guru, Bryan Whitehead. In 2018, Rob returned to Japan to expand his Japanese textiles skills, visiting Ise, the home of Katagami stencilling and buying supplies to set up his own teaching practice back in the UK.

If you have any questions, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email us at: events@japansociety.org.uk.

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