A stitch in time

After writing about feeling stressed, I got a message from my mom. She suggested that I do a sewing project to occupy myself. I considered her advice and settled on doing a traditional Japanese hand-sewing project, called sashiko.

Sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery style, dates back to the Edo period. It was originally used to make stronger workwear, weaving several layers of cloth together, but has evolved into decorative stitching used on clothes, quilts, and crafts. The most popular patterns are fish scales, diamonds, mountains, bamboo, persimmon leaves, arrows, pampas grass, shippo-tsunagi (geometric design that encompasses four eclipsis and a single circle) and interlocking geometric shapes.

I was surprised to learn that there typically aren't knots in sashiko. When starting a new thread, you sew a few stitches backwards and then go in the opposite direction. It is amazing how well it holds without tying off the threads.

I bought several sashiko kits at a fabric store to make handkerchiefs. Most Japanese people carry handkerchiefs since paper towels are rarely offered in public restrooms. So, these would be handy to have.

I quickly got busy stitching away.

Left: goldfish
Right: fundo

Left: dragonflies
Right: rabbits

shippo-tsunagi or seven treasures

It was a nice distraction from the chaos of Covid. I'd turn on an audiobook and stitch away, losing myself in the rhythm of moving the needle.

It was the perfect suggestion.