Melitastitches4fun's Blog

Before I started a new project, I decided to put away all the threads that I had been throwing in a grocery store bag for quite some time! I’m very glad that’s done. There is more stuff to clean up (and will probably wind up with more threads to put away), but I am making progress.

One of the items that I came across was this Sashiko Mini Sampler Kit by Miniature Rhino. It was in the welcome gift bag from the Central Jersey Chapter (CJC). It’s a recent addition to my stash, but it looked like it’d work up quickly once I get started and rather than find a place to store it, I decided to stitch it. There were no instructions. So, I watched a couple of YouTube videos on Sashiko. There are books too.

The thread gets used as supplied. I tried to separate it into 3 strands because it looked too thick, but it shred. Then, I checked with Jacqui C, who had taught an EGA online course a couple of years ago. It’s the right thread and is to be used as supplied. Jacqui thought DMC Perle #12 might work better for this fabric. The ANG NJNA and CJC Chapters are lucky to have Jacqui in both chapters.

The needles are sharp with a decent size eye. I am excited to use another type of needle. These are longer with a sharp point because Sashiko is done in hand, and generally speaking, you try and scoop a few stitches at a time. I don’t have a palm pad or thimble making multiple stitches difficult. So, I scooped one stitch at a time, mostly keeping the needle on the top as I stitched. The other option is to go with the poke and stab method. This is not a forgiving fabric. So, be sure of where your needle goes.

I decided to try both threads, the supplied thread, and DMC Perle #12. The #12 Perle was thinner, and I could scoop 3 stitches. But, the poke and stab method is more accurate. It probably takes practice to get accurate with the scoop method.

This will make a good Show and Tell piece for the February 13th meeting of the Needlework and Textile Guild of Media. It is from 7-8:30 pm at the Media Arts Council in Media, PA. I did a little reading on its origin. According to wiki, “Sashiko (刺し子, lit. ‘little stabs’) is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery or stitching used for the decorative and/or functional reinforcement of cloth and clothing.”

I have no functional use for this piece, so I need to find a decorative use. According to the meaning of Japanese patterns at Polina Couture (.com), “Literally, Asanoha (麻の葉) means “hemp leaves”. This star or hexagon motif evokes this hardy plant, which grows straight and fast. And so it symbolizes a good growth, vigor and resistance. And by extension, it augurs prosperity.” I went down a rabbit hole online and learned, “Hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis sativa plant with no more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering substance in marijuana.”

None of that helped me decide what to do with this. Hopefully, a use will reveal itself!

you did a nice job.
You want to make sure none of the running stitches touch. “Good chi in and bad chi out” 

Yes most Sashiko fabric is more flexible than what you used. Remember originally Sashiko was to hold layers of hemp fabric together to make clothing. Where it originated in Japan, hemp was all the people could grow to make their fabrics.

Sashiko is a very soothing and delightful form of stitching to do. There are so many Japanese companies now exporting fabric and threads in multiple colors for us to enjoy. Have a look at Sue Spargo’s website. She is always posting new products she has found while traveling around Japan.

Comment by Jacqui C February 3, 2024 @ 11:08 am

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Thanks Jacque. Great information! Thanks so much for sharing that. I will pass along Sue Spargo’s website with the fiber guild folks too.

Comment by melitastitches4fun February 3, 2024 @ 11:11 am

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