I've jumped on the Sashiko train. It's such a lovely, calming way to spend time, following along a design, slowly stitching a piece. I recently finished a lovely Hemp Leaf design and made it into a table runner. It's backed and bordered with a Essex yarn dyed linen in denim.

Sashiko started out as a practical way to patch and reinforce clothes, especially for farmers and workers during the Edo period. But over time, it turned into a beautiful, decorative craft. 

The Japanese Hemp Leaf Sashiko pattern, called Asanoha, is one of the most iconic and meaningful designs in traditional Japanese stitching. It’s made up of repeating geometric shapes that look like hemp leaves, which were seen as symbols of strength and fast growth. People believed the pattern would help children grow up strong and healthy, kind of like how hemp grows super quickly and tough. 

These days, Asanoha still pops up in everything from clothing to home decor, blending tradition with modern style.

I started this project at the start of the year and finished all of the stitching around the end of March. It was a project which I enjoyed taking along with me on holiday, to trivia or just sitting with, feet up on my recliner, headphones on listening to an audio book with a lovely tea or cold drink beside me. 

Read more about this project here

After finishing it, I knew that I wanted to make it into a table runner, but wasn't sure what fabric to use or how I'd go about it. So it sat on the back of a chair in my sewing room for a few weeks... erhmmm maybe it was months? Here's my boy, Harry, posing beside my piece after I'd finished stitching it. He sat beside me while I stitched, so really, it was a team effort.

As you are probably aware, I work at a quilt store. It's a great job where I get to chat about sewing, to people who want to talk about sewing. I often have people come into the store looking for something to sew on holiday or to take along to group sewing days. 

One of my first questions is "Have you tried Sashiko?" and before long, that person has chosen a panel and is on their way. The best thing is when they've enjoyed it so much that they return to see what other sashiko panels we have available for their next slow-stitching project.

My question to you is, have you tried Sashiko?

Purchase a Sashiko Coaster Kit on Amazon or a Sashiko Pillow Kit on Amazon