Sashiko Workshop

On June 3, our guild enjoyed a workshop led by member Debby Soll, who has been learning and experimenting with various techniques in quilting and fabric art. Debby taught us some basics about Sashiko, a traditional Japanese style of quilting.

First, Debby explained what Sashiko is and she showed us some samples of the technique:

This beautiful wall hanging also has buttons for added interest.

Sashiko is a symmetrical repeated pattern, done with a thicker thread than one might use in usual quilting. Traditionally, it's done on a dark fabric (blue) with a light (white) thread.

After explaining the technique and what is involved in working on a Sashiko piece, we received a kit to learn for ourselves.

While not difficult if you are an experienced hand quilter, the technique does need a bit of learning because of how it stops and starts, and how the stitching travels around corners and across intersections. Here is one finished piece:

Thanks to Debby for the lessons and maybe we'll see more of our members working on this old craft.