Sashiko Inspired Squares

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the art of sashiko, you will love this sampler class!

Sashiko is a form of traditional Japanese embroidery or stitching that originated in rural Japan. The word “sashiko” means “little stabs” which reflects the stitching technique of using small, simple running stitches to create geometric patterns or designs on fabric. Originally, sashiko was used as reinforcement to strengthen fabrics but over time it evolved into a decorative art form as well. Traditional sashiko is often stitched with white on indigo fabrics, but this class is “sashiko-inspired” because we are going to explore modern variations of the traditional stitches, using multiple colors. Traditional sashiko often follows a very specific style. In this class we’ll borrow those beautiful geometric stitching ideas but make them more playful with colorful thread and woodland animals.

The class project is to make six sashiko-inspired squares. Each square has a different pattern of running stitches and threaded running stitches to create elaborate geometric patterns surrounding an animal motif. There are 6 different woodland animals: squirrel, duck, hedgehog, rabbit, fox and toad. In each lesson, you will learn a new stitch and complete a square. The finished squares are 5×5 inches. Stitch one and frame it, sew several into a pillow, use them as quilt blocks, make coasters, or combine all six into a wall hanging. Each square is its own complete project, so you can stitch one at a time whenever you feel like it.

There’s a materials list with everything you’ll need for this project below. In the lessons, you’ll find a picture-in-picture view so you can see both the instructor and a close up view of the studio table so you can see every stitch step-by-step. Featured stitches in this class are running stitch and threaded running stitch; it’s amazing how much texture and complexity you can create from two basic stitches. I designed each stitching pattern to build one after the other. Each animal introduces one new idea, so you’ll build confidence naturally instead of trying to learn everything at once.

The fabric panel has guidelines marked to help with your stitching so you can make precise geometric shapes by just following the guidelines. The printed guidelines help you create crisp geometric patterns without counting threads or marking fabric yourself. And the best part is you get to choose your own colors for each design. I’ll give you some suggestions for how many colors work best for each design and show you two stitched samples so you can see how the designs look when stitched in different color variations.