SASHIKO Around the World

We often hear this question in our store:
‘Where is the SASHIKO section?’
It’s no longer unusual to see customers from overseas filling their baskets with threads and cloths!

The Japanese handcraft “Sashiko” is now spreading around the world as “SASHIKO.”

How do our staff members enjoy Sashiko in their daily lives?

This time, we’d like to share some of their real stories!

We Asked Our Sashiko-Loving Staff

We talked with three staff members who enjoy Sashiko!

— What made you start Sashiko?
Store staff member T: My mother used to do it, and that made me want to try it too.
3rd floor staff member Y: After joining this company, I saw more Sashiko products and started thinking, ‘I want to try it myself.’
Online shop staff member E: I saw collaboration works with SASHIKO GALS (@sashiko_gals) and brands, and people doing Sashiko on shoes. I thought it looked really cool and wanted to make something myself too. Also, I work on our export online shop, and Sashiko has become really popular overseas, so I started seeing it more often.

— When do you usually do Sashiko?
T: I do a little stitching little by little between housework.
Y: I enjoy it while watching TV and relaxing.
E: Recently, I do Sashiko whenever I have free time. I even made my own portable set so I can stitch anytime.

E’s Handmade Sashiko Carrying Set
You can carry all the tools compactly.



— How was it when you first tried Sashiko?
Y: It was easier than I expected! Once I started, there were a lot of simple stitches, so I could keep going smoothly.

— What do you make most often?
T: Hanafukin cloths.

— What would you recommend for beginners to start with?
T: I recommend coasters because they’re quick to make. I think it’s best to start with something small.

— How do you feel when you’re doing Sashiko?
E: It helps me clear my mind and feel calm.

※Translator’s Note: Here, “Hanafukin” means a dish cloth with Sashiko stitching. Many makers sell Hanafukin cloths with printed patterns ready for stitching.

Ask Our Store Staff! The Charm of Sashiko and How to Start

— What products do you recommend for beginners?
Y:I recommend Sashiko Template (CS412401～8). Even if you’re not good at drawing patterns, you can make designs just by marking dots and connecting them. I think it’s very easy to use for people who struggle with drawing patterns. It’s surprisingly easy once you try it.

Sashiko Template / CS412401～8



— What products are especially popular?
Y: The pattern template I just mentioned, and the Sashiko Cloth (KSC7190), are both very popular.

Sashiko Cloth / KSC7190



— Do you have a message for people who want to start Sashiko?
Y: First, just give it a try casually! The key to continuing is not trying to do everything at once. It’s best to work little by little. Enjoy it while watching TV or listening to music — that kind of feeling is perfect. You only need a needle, thread, and cloth, so you don’t need to prepare lots of tools. Embroidery can feel difficult because you need to transfer patterns and do other steps, but Sashiko is much simpler, so I hope people will try it casually.

スタッフの作品をご紹介♪

E’s Work

This Hanafukin lets you enjoy many different patterns in one piece. Popular Japanese patterns are combined like Yosegizaiku, making it a very eye-catching design! She worked on it little by little in her free time.

Translator’s Note: “Yosegizaiku (Yosegi mosaic work)” is a traditional Japanese craft that creates patterns and shapes by combining pieces of wood with different colors and grains.

Y’s Work

She added Sashiko stitching to a ready-made hat.
Using a design transfer sheet for embroidery, she easily transferred the pattern and created an original design.

Careful stitching, one stitch at a time, turns a simple hat into something much more unique!

How Do You Use Your Finished Pieces?

One of the charms of Sashiko is that it doesn’t end once you finish making it.
Many of our staff enjoy using their finished pieces in daily life!

For example —
using them as dish cloths, placing them under glasses, or using them as small kitchen mats.

T’s Work
As a Dish Mat
As a Dish Cloth

As you keep using them, the fabric slowly becomes softer, and that’s also part of the fun of Sashiko!

Some staff members also said,
‘I love being able to use something I made myself in everyday life.’

Items Our Staff Used↓

Sparkly and Cute! Beaded Sashiko

T is also into beaded Sashiko, which stitches beads together with the patterns. The colorful beads and detailed stitching make a perfect accent ♡

T: It’s even quicker than regular Sashiko, so it’s easy to enjoy casually.

Visit Our Sashiko Section!

Our Sashiko section, with a wide selection of Sashiko threads, cloths, and kits, is located on the 3rd floor.
If you’re interested, feel free to talk to our staff!

Sashiko Thread Section
Hanafukin Cloths (Pre-printed) are sold in sets of three.
Our Staff’s Recommended Sashiko Template!

SASHIKO Is Popular Around the World

SASHIKO has become hugely popular outside Japan as well ✨
So, we asked our store staff which products are especially popular with overseas customers!!

Y: Many customers choose Sashiko thread. Embroidery thread is easy to find overseas, but Sashiko thread is mainly made by Japanese manufacturers, so I think many people are interested in it as a uniquely Japanese handcraft.

A lot of customers also look at Sashiko kits, and recently there are more kinds of kits available, so it has become easier for people to choose one.

Being able to experience Japanese handcrafts through Sashiko thread and kits is also one reason why they are popular with overseas customers.

Once I Started, I Couldn’t Stop

This interview inspired me to try Sashiko again for the first time in a while!!
This time, I used a Sashiko template.
I only had to connect the dots to make the pattern, so it was much easier to transfer the design than I expected.
Once I started stitching, I completely lost track of time 🌟
Now I really understand what the staff meant when they said it helps you clear your mind.

Marking with a Sashiko Template
Finished!

Closing Thoughts

Sashiko is a traditional Japanese handcraft that began as a way to use cloth carefully for a long time.
There is something calming about slowly creating patterns one stitch at a time.

Taking a little time to stitch during a busy day may feel even more relaxing than you expect.
Why not start your own little “stitching time” casually?💙

↓ Be sure to check out our staff’s columns too!

Easy Tips to Make Your Sashiko Look Cute and Neat, Even for Beginners🪡
Our visit to a sashiko workshop in Kyoto!

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