A Stitch at a Time: The Ongoing Story of Our Sashiko Workshops

At our Sashiko workshops, every stitch has a purpose and a future. Participants begin with an organic indigo-dyed cotton tote and a selection of sashiko stencils. From there, they’re guided through the meditative process of stitching simple patterns and choosing where to begin: perhaps a circle of crosses, a series of waves, or a patch here and there. No experience is necessary just curiosity and a willingness to slow down.

Sashiko, a centuries-old Japanese embroidery tradition, began as a method of reinforcing and repairing garments. Today, it serves a dual purpose: practical and poetic. Our workshops are rooted in this history, but with a modern twist. We encourage creativity, imperfection, and individuality - your bag doesn’t just get repaired, it evolves.

The image above shows a tote bag six months after its workshop debut. It’s been used, worn, loved. As small signs of use appeared frays, snags, faded spots the owner added more stitches, more personality, more life. The bag has become a slow-growing artwork. A quiet act of rebellion against throwaway culture.

That’s the heart of what we do: help people build something they’ll keep adding to. We believe in functional creativity. In mindfulness as a practice, not a performance. And in giving people a small, meaningful way to reconnect with their things, their hands, their rhythm.

Eventually, these bags take on the character of boro textiles: layered, stitched, patched, personal. They hold stories. And each repair adds value not just to the item, but to the person making it.

Join a workshop. Make something real. Keep going.