SASHIKO How do you choose your fabric for Sashiko? What types of materials are easy to stitch?

Thank you for watching!
I receive questions about fabrics very often. As I mentioned in this video, I don’t know enough about different types of fabrics and it's really hard to say what the best fabric is.
I tried my best to list up some tips to look for something easier to stitch and I hope it helps.
You may know better fabrics for Sashiko and your recommendations are welcome!
Most books I have recommend 'plain-weave materials' and some older books suggest to use Aizome Momen (cotton dyed with natural indigo).
Overall, what you want to look for is something easy to stitch with your own needle. Depending on the thickness of your needle, what you feel easy to stitch can be different.
If you are wondering what types of threads you can use for Sashiko, please also watch this video:
What is the best thread for Sashiko?
• SASHIKO What is the be...
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Classic materials
04:16 What should we look for?
08:56 What I'm using right now

[@lauramiddleton2709]

You are a great instructor. I'm just now learning. And following you has truly helped me! Thank you so much! I hope you do more on this, it is so relaxing.

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

I splurged and treated myself to a few yards of Sarashi Momen. This video was very helpful and again, learned a few things. You really are the best at teaching those of us who want to know all about Sashiko and how to do it. I find that the more I do it, the better I get. It even helped me in hand quilting my quilts and enjoying it so much.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much as always❤️❤️❤️ Learning with this community has been the best thing for my Sashiko journey. It’s been so encouraging. Thank you so much for always being supportive and inspiring😊❤️🧵🪡

[@jacquelinestrand6283]

I absolutely love your videos on sashiko. I am just learning and was so happy to discover your channel. Please keep it up. ❤️❤️❤️

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much😊❤️🪡🧵

[@janekrut2799]

Thank you - this is very helpful. Especially your recommendations for drawing the pattern on different fabrics.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much❤️😊🧵🪡

[@jenthulhu]

Wonderful video! I have a lot of these sorts of soft fabrics and wondered if they might work. I love the idea of handmade everyday items that are also beautiful instead of just utilitarian. It brings a lot of joy to the more mundane parts of life.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much😊❤️ I totally agree with you. It’s just so nice to make something beautiful you can really use for your every life❤️

[@imsewblessed1578]

I absolutely loved learning the history behind it as well. Fascinating. My husband bought me a sashiko pincushion kit and I’m very excited to get started on it. It’s my first sashiko project.

[@thegreenwrapper]

First project! It’s super exciting❤️😊 I had to roughly summarise the very long history of Sashiko, so there are a lot more stories behind it. It’s really fascinating to learn the history and how they are still evolving😊 Happy stitching!🪡🧵

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

I have just been watching a few KZbin videos about how to make rice bags and I am wanting to start one using some of your ideas of different patterns for each panel. I think it will be a lovely project.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Sounds lovely😍 I’ve been also thinking about doing a video about how to make a rice bag (but probably a different type to what you are going to make) in the future. There are a lot of different types of draw string bags from old times and they are all interesting😊 I haven’t made any videos yet but you’ve inspired me as always! Thank you so much❤️

[@lyndabaillargeon4955]

Great video thank you so much!

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you😊❤️🧵🪡

[@iwondery1725]

Thank you for all the information so clearly shown, I love your videos.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much🥹❤️🪡🧵

[@carolinashih9906]

Thank you very much for the video! Great information! Now I have a better understanding when it comes to choosing fabric. 🤗

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much😊❤️🪡🧵 I will try to learn more about textiles so that I can understand better🤞

[@jorgesxbass7606]

your videos are great, Your calm teaching and relaxing music are cool. At the moment I have 4 of my jackets for Sashiko and bandanas on the collars, and some pants, it's been 5 years since I bought all Japanese material, but I never used them... my God. Anyway Congratulations

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much for watching my videos😊 That’s really amazing that you have so many exciting projects❤️ I recently got those Japanese materials but I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to use in the near future😅 I’m still learning Sashoko and making these videos help me keep learning more. So I really appreciate your encouraging comments. Thank you so much😊

[@jorgesxbass7606]

@@thegreenwrapper God BlessU THX

[@jacquelinestrand6283]

I too am amazed at how the working classes were motivated and capable of producing such beautuful pieces from the little they had. To see and create beauty around them when their life was so difficult is a true testament to the resilency of the human spirit.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Beautifully said👏💕💕

[@pamjones3594]

Thank you for all the great information!

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much😊❤️🪡🧵

[@ljbj4]

this was helpful, thank you!😊

[@thegreenwrapper]

Oh thank you💕💕

[@EmmaFre-Haack]

You are amazing! Subscribed. Thanks a lot!!

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much❤️😊🧵🪡

[@janetrjones7815]

Thank you for your help.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you💕💕

[@boop7313]

So inspiring! Subscribed x

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you❤️😊🧵🪡

[@alittleworldofmyown67]

Thank you that's so helpful

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much😊❤️🪡🧵

[@laurasharp7955]

Thanks for sharing another great video. I'm not able to get Sashiko material in South Africa, however I have some serviettes that I could use. I have seen needles and cotton available online at some local stores as well😊

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much as always❤️ That’s great you have found some materials you can use for Sashiko👍 I feel that Sashiko tools and materials have been becoming more accessible gradually🪡🧵 I’ve also seen more Sashiko tools at local stores too😊

[@TheKjoy85]

I was going through my fabric stash the other day looking for material to use as patches for cotton twill pants and shorts. I decided to use 2 layers of cotton muslin as a backing patch for sashiko style mending.

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience😊❤️🧵🪡

[@vasily92884]

Es un trabajo de locos!!!❤❤ pero bellisimo

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you so much😊❤️🪡🧵

[@biramika]

Great !

[@thegreenwrapper]

Thank you❤️😊🧵🪡

[@debgamble8368]

Thank you so much for this video, it pairs beautifully with the thread video 👍 If I go into Spotlight or Lincraft, I just get overwhelmed and leave 😂 May I ask you a question? When you make Sashiko items for every day use like tea towels and face cloths, do they require special care to wash them? I love the idea of using my items but I’m a bit worried about ruining them. Tah

[@thegreenwrapper]

So am I! I often spend so much time at Spotlight and leave without getting anything😅 Many of the fabrics in this video are from Spotlight though. For everyday use of Sashiko items, I’d recommend pre-washing the fabric before stitching. Make sure the thread tension is not too tight as threads shrink a bit after washing. Depending on the thread and fabric you use, tumble dry may shrink them too. I usually hang them to dry but I put them in tumble dryer too. Enjoy your Sashiko❤️

[@ladyflimflam]

Because sashiko is a practical rather than decorative art I use my hanafukin without worry of staining. They are made to be used, not to be a precious relic. The tea stains on the very first few hanafukin I made are a feature I treasure. They show that I’ve used this thing in the way I intended. Embrace the beauty of the wear in your everyday tools.

[@debgamble8368]

@@thegreenwrapper thanks for replying. I had a feeling that the tension might be an issue if the pieces were sewn too tightly and then put into a washing machine. I’m pretty good at leaving things loose on the back so I’ll give it a go. Thank you again

[@debgamble8368]

@@ladyflimflam So true and it makes sense to enjoy what was created every day. I recently saw an episode of Zero Waste Life on NHK. It showed a truly remarkable woman who revived an old folk house and turned it into an inn. All the fabrics for her zabuton, noren and other items were reworked scraps. It was lovely.

[@thegreenwrapper]

@ladyflimflam I completely agree with you. I just posted a photo of my Hanahukin in my kitchen on Instagram yesterday. I appreciate Sashiko more when I use it. It’s not just beautiful but also practical❤️