Learn how sashiko stitching can give your well-loved clothes a new lease on life.

Sashiko stitching, also known as sashiko mending, is a Japanese technique that extends a garment's life. This time-honored tradition uses the running stitch to reinforce and decorate an item of clothing or piece of fabric.

 Like kintsugi, it celebrates the history of a garment by not hiding its imperfections but emphasizing how much the piece has been loved. Sashiko has existed for centuries and remains a popular choice for visible mending on woven fabrics (cotton, linen, etc). And it has another benefit: sustainability. 

Given the clothing industry’s environmental impact, repairing the things we own is another way to honor the Earth. We're exercising circular fashion and keeping something out of landfills. 

 Let’s take a deeper look at the history of sashiko mending, the tools needed, and the basic technique to create.