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Sashiko, meaning ‘little stab’ is the Japanese art of stitching beautiful patterns using running stitch. Often used to add strength, texture and warmth to old garments, Sashiko has become synonymous with complex repeating patterns and precise stitching. Although most people will be familiar with the traditional white stitches on indigo fabric, sashiko thread actually comes in many shades, allowing for a wonderful variety of colourful designs.

Your tutor is Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob’s Sashiko & Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic Japanese threads and tools for use in his classes.

In this class you will learn:

– How to mark up your patterns on fabric using a variety of pens and templates

– How to stitch neatly and precisely, Sashiko is all about even stitching!

– The rights and wrongs turning corners, crossing lines and intersections

– Starting and finishing a row of stitch allowing room for stretching and washing

– How to make a hatamusubi (loom knot) to maximize the use of your thread

Rob will bring examples of his work as well as a number of reference books for inspiration to continue your practice at home. In the afternoon, there is a “Boro” (Japanese inspired mending) class, which is a natural follow on class to the Sashiko stitching. We offer a discount when booking the two sessions together! 

TIME: 11am – 1:30pm

Class Size: Max 8 students

Materials: You will be provided with a tote bag as a project using sashiko threads in a colour and pattern of your choosing as part of the class. Students can also bring a piece of your own fabric to work on if you prefer.

PRICE: £55 or £100 (booking the full day – two sessions) 

HOW TO BOOK: You can BOOK ONLINE (+ Eventbrite Booking Fee) E_mail or Call us on 020 7275 8043 (to avoid online booking fee!) Our  Booking Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps)

Boro (more accurately ‘Boro boro’), meaning ‘rags or tatters’ is the art of repairing fabric using scraps and stitching. A source of shame in Japan for many years, the fabrics are now highly prized and can fetch significant sums. Boro work follows the British wartime tradition of ‘make do and mend’ but was used out of necessity in Japan to prolong the life of clothes and bedding due to extreme poverty and the scarcity of textiles.

Your tutor is Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob’s Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic vintage Japanese textiles to show in his classes.

In this class you will learn:

• The history and origins of Boro. Examples of vintage Boro and other Japanese textiles collected by the tutor in Japan will be shown and their background explained
• How to repair a garment using scraps, both modern and vintage
• How to use sashiko stitching to enhance your work
• Practice using visible repair to enhance and strengthen textiles
• Applique and reverse applique and a number of decorative stitching techniques will be shown
• A variety of types of Japanese stitches and their application will be presented, with examples on vintage Boro and the tutor’s own work:
• Nami-nui – running stitch
• Hongasesi-nui – backstitch
• Mimi-guke – edge stitch
• Maki-nui – whip stitch
• Chidori-gake – Herringbone stitch
• Hashigomatsuri – Ladder / slipstitch

 It is recommended that students bring an item of clothing you wish to repair although fabric and threads are provided should you wish to just practice or start on a piece of your very own boro.

Rob will bring examples of their work as well as a number of reference books should anyone wish to continue their practice at home.

Class Size: Max 8 students

TIME: 2:30 – 5pm

Please Bring:  An item of clothing you wish to repair (we recommend something ‘stable’ such as denim wear, linen or cotton items) There will also be fabric and threads provided should you wish to just practice or start on a piece of your very own boro.

Includes all other materials

Packs of indigo dyed shibori and vintage textiles will also be available to purchase on the day in addition to the class should you wish to continue your practice at home.

PRICE: £55

HOW TO BOOK: You can BOOK ONLINE (+ Eventbrite Booking Fee) E_mail or Call us on 020 7275 8043 (to avoid online booking fee!) Our  Booking Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps)