Sashiko Embroidery

Sashiko, which means “little stabs” in Japanese, is a meditative and beautiful embroidery tradition. The exact origin of the craft is unknown, but it can be traced to the Edo Period in Japan (1615– 1868). Sashiko was used by farming and fishing communities to reinforce and decorate clothing during the winter months. Mending, piecing, and layering clothing was essential to communities with scarce access to cotton, linen, and hemp. Cotton was hard to dye, unless one used indigo, so it became a common color. In addition, certain classes during the Edo period were restricted from wearing bright colors. Because of these pressures, they became very innovative with dying techniques and expressed themselves through intricate patterns, rather than colors.