During my monthly sashiko classes in Japan, I sense that I'm missing some of the finer points. It's the classic scenario where I can see and hear my teacher giving lots and lots of detailed advice and instruction to the others... but language is truly a barrier to me!
Here is a little table topper (or the beginnings of a pillow perhaps). It's identical to one I made for my Grandma Mary Lou... and it's from a pattern from my sashiko sensei, Kazuko Yoshiura.
So this summer I wanted to see what I could find in terms of printed material, to reinforce what I am learning in class.
A quick search on Amazon yielded only a few books, some out of print. I ordered three. Here they are in order from oldest to most current:
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The first is Sashiko and Beyond by Saikoh Takano. A little dated but interesting to have in my collection, and includes a lot of applique projects too.
The introduction gives a very brief history of sashiko. Then the book gets right into techniques and designs. Nothing I particularly want to make immediately...but interesting anyway!
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| 1993, Chilton Book Company, Radnor PA |
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Sashiko Style was originally published in Japan in 2006. No specific author is listed. It starts by offering many linear, curvy, and single-stitch patterns, along with some enticing color photographs of sample projects.
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| 2007 by Japan Publications Trading Company, translated by Yoko Ishiguro |
On page 56 (!) we have the "Getting Started" section, which uses a combination of illustration, photos, and text to clearly lay out supplies needed, how to prepare fabric, how to draft and transfer patterns, and finally how to make a good sashiko stitch.
The final section of the book contains the project instructions and life size pull-out patterns. I haven't made anything from this book yet, but to my eye, it's an excellent book. Complicated (in terms of the actual project directions) and maybe a little intimidating, but inspiring, and, design-wise, spot on.
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The final book I ordered is Japanese Sashiko Inspirations, by Susan Briscoe, whose name came up often when I searched online for sashiko books.
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| 2008, David & Charles, the UK. |
I appreciate how the book goes into some good detail about the history and significance of sashiko, and then gets right into the "getting started" guide , tools and materials, basic techniques, tips, etc. There is a good variety of projects, and in general the book has a "zakka" feel. This book seems to be the most accessible and straightforward, and contains a diverse array of project in terms of thread color and fabric types. One thing I really like about this book is that Susan gives us a "technique taster" in the form of a very small project alongside each main project (ex. a sachet, then a pillow, or a business card case, then a wall hanging).
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