Everything You Need to Learn and Master Sashiko and Boro
We have a sashiko kit to fit your exact need
Beginning Sashiko Tool Kit
The Beginner's Sashiko Tool Set
This starter pack has all necessary tools to learn and practice sashiko stitching. Even experienced sashiko stitchers would find the tools in this pack handy.
- Aurifil 12 wt thread in White
- Long Type Sashiko Needles:
- Adjustable Ring Thimble with Plate: A palm thimble is indispensable for Sashiko. Made to fit all size hands
- White Marking Pen
Sashiko Essentials Home Kit
Essentials Tool Kit
The Essentials kit includes all of the tools we use in our classes to teach Boro and Sashiko along with ½ yard of sashiko fabric for you to use as practice or to put all your amazing stitching on!
- 2 small spools Aurifil 12 Weight Thread (2 colors)
- Long Type Sashiko Needles
- Adjustable Ring Thimble with Plate
- White Marking Pen
- 1 small sheet of plastic mesh grid
- ½ yd Sashiko Fabric
Deluxe Sashiko Kit
Deluxe Sashiko Kit
The Deluxe Sashiko Kit includes all of the necessary tools you need to learn and practice sashiko stitching along with a signed copy of our new book, Boro & Sashiko: Harmonious Imperfection, and our FAB Sashiko Essentials 12 weight Aurifil thread collection. We're also including ½ yard of sashiko fabric for practicing.
This one is a great value! Right now, we have the Deluxe Sashiko Kit specially priced at 20% off the regular retail rate!
- Signed Copy of Boro & Sashiko: Harmonious Imperfection
- Fab Sashiko Essentials Thread Collection (6 colors all on large spools)
- Long Type Sashiko Needles
- Adjustable Ring Thimble with Plate
- White Marking Pen
- 1 sheet of plastic mesh grid
- ½ Yard Sashiko Fabric
Looking for fabric to stitch sashiko or boro? We have some of the best!
Sashiko Fabric
This beautiful linen/cotton blend (55 linen / 45 cotton) is the new base fabric for your next sashiko project. This linen has the structure we desire when hand stitching projects, but retains the drape and texture we demand from garment and bag fabrics. Bottom line is... you're going to love working with this fabric!
Please choose the amount you desire. We will send a single cut of fabric that length.
If you need larger cuts, or amounts not shown on the list please contact us directly and we will help you out.
COLOR : Indigo
CONTENT : 55% LINEN / 45% COTTON
WIDTH : 43/44"
Machine wash cold, delicate cycle, no bleach, tumble dry on low, use cool iron.
Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics - SHIBA SNACKS
24 strips of random colors- approximately 22” long x 3" to 5" wide
Equals about 1yd of hand dyed 100% cotton that looks like suede.
These wider strips are awesome for:
Improv Quilts
Scrappy Log Cabins
Sashiko & Boro
All sales are shipped directly from the Cherrywood facility.
About Cherrywood Fabric
There are many commercial solid fabrics on the market today, but none will ever be able to duplicate the richness of Cherrywood. Your projects will stand out much more when your solid color has depth and texture. More focus is given to design lines when the eye is not distraction by pattern.
Let Cherrywood do the color work for you. We have already labored over hue, value, saturation, shade, tint... all those color theory terms that send some people running. No matter how you use our gradations, they look fabulous!
- Exclusive suede look on every piece we dye
- Unique color collections
- Generous yard is more than 36" preshrunk • Preshrunk
- Colorfast
- High thread count
- No right or wrong side
- No nap
- Excellent for needle-turn appliqué
- Easy to hand-quilt
- Showcases quilting stitches
- More affordable than real suede
- Blends well with batiks and prints
Davosa 18 Count Evenweave Fabric for Kogin
One of our favorite kogin fabrics. Davosa is 100% cotton even weave fabric, woven with the same number of threads in warp and weft. It has a beautiful weight and is appropriate for for stitching with 3 strands of 12 wt thread and 6 strands of floss. 18 count fabric is a great choice for beginning kogin artists as it is easy to count the threads.
100% Cotton
18 threads per inch
Please choose your color and cut size from the menu.
For specialty cuts, project based, please contact us using the Contact and Subscribe link in the main menu.
Lugana 20 Count Evenweave Fabric for Kogin
Jason's favorite choice for kogin!
Lugana is 52% Cotton 48% Rayon even weave fabric, (fabric woven with the same number of threads in warp and weft). It has a beautiful weight and is appropriate for for stitching with 3 strands of 12 wt thread and 6 strands of floss.
This 20 count fabric is a great choice for all kogin sashiko as it is easy to count the threads but the holes are close enough to each other to really make the stitches stand out!
For home dyers, Lugana is a great choice as it takes dye well.
52% Cotton 48% Rayon
18 threads per inch
Please choose your color and cut size from the menu.
Congress Cloth 24 Count Evenweave Fabric for Kogin
A classic fabric for Kogin
Congress Cloth is a fine needlepoint canvas, 100% cotton, 24 count mono thread. It is smooth and strong, perfect for any needlepoint project especially kogin sashiko. The fabric is stiffer than the 100% cotton even weave making this a great choice for bags or other items that need a little extra oomph.
100% cotton
24 count
Please choose your color and cut size from the menu.
For specialty cuts, i.e. project based, please contact us for a quote via the Contact and Subscribe link on the main menu.
Cork Linen 18 Count Evenweave Fabric for Kogin
Shannon's favorite choice for kogin!
Cork Linen is an elegant fabric with the slightly irregular structure of the flax fiber.
This 18 count fabric is a great choice for all kogin sashiko as it is easy to count the threads but the holes are close enough to each other to allow the stitches stand out!
100% linen fiber
18 threads per inch
Please choose your color and cut size from the menu.
For specialty cuts, project based, please request a quote using the Contact and Subscribe link on the main menu.
Dublin Linen 25 Count Evenweave Fabric for Kogin
Dublin Linen is 100% linen even weave fabric, (fabric woven with the same number of threads in warp and weft). It's an elegant fabric with the slightly irregular structure of the flax fiber.
100% linen
25 threads per inch
Please choose your color and cut size from the menu.
For specialty cuts, i.e. project based, please contact us for a quote via the Contact and Subscribe link on the main menu.
Rustico Linen Aida 18 Count Evenweave Fabric for Kogin
An 18 count rustic aida fabric that is perfect for kogin sashiko. The gaps made in the weave of the aida allow for easy counting of patterns and the rustic linen looking fabric is warm and classic.
44% Cotton 39% Viscose 17% Linen
18 threads per inch
Please choose your color and cut size from the menu.
For specialty cuts, project based, please contact us using the Contact and Subscribe link in the main menu.
Lugana 25 Count Evenweave Fabric for Kogin
Jason's favorite choice for kogin!
Lugana is 52% Cotton 48% Rayon even weave fabric, (fabric woven with the same number of threads in warp and weft). It has a beautiful weight and is appropriate for for stitching with 3 strands of 12 wt thread and 6 strands of floss.
This 25 count fabric is a great choice for all kogin sashiko it is a finer count which means the the holes are closer to each other make the stitches really stand out! Use with 3 strands of 12 weight cotton thread or 4 strands of floss for a standard look. Use a full 6 strands of floss for a thicker pattern to emerge.
For home dyers, Lugana is a great choice as it takes dye well.
52% Cotton 48% Rayon
18 threads per inch
Please choose your color and cut size from the menu.
For specialty cuts, i.e. project based, please contact us for a quote via the Contact and Subscribe link on the main menu.
Books and Patterns? We have you covered there too!
Boro & Sashiko - Autographed Copy
We are thrilled to announce that our latest book is now available.
Combine hand stitches to create dramatic, unique designs and learn to embrace imperfection, admiring the utilitarian beauty of every stitch. “Shibaguyz” Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby invite you to try your hand at boro, the traditional Japanese art of mending and quilting, and more than 30 authentic sashiko designs. Stitching lessons are true to tradition, inspired by historical works by Japanese masters. This guide in sashiko and boro includes patterns, stitch how-tos, and needle-threading and knotting tips. Put your handwork to good use with 9 contemporary projects like a sashiko sampler wallhanging, reversible knot bag, or a kimono-inspired jacket! With step-by-step instructions, even beginners can embrace the art of visible mending.
- Hand sew 30+ authentic sashiko patterns with best-selling authors the Shibaguyz
- Recreate the traditional art of boro (mending textiles) with 9 useful projects like jackets, bags, and home decor
- Read stitch charts, mark fabrics, and thread your needle with tips from the pros
Sashiko Vest #1 Digital Pattern
Literally meaning "little stabs" or "little pierce", Sashiko is a form of decorative reinforcement stitching (or functional embroidery) from Japan. We added Sashiko stitching elements to a vest based on Japanese patching technique, Boro to complete this design.
Boro came to predominately signify clothing worn by the peasant farming classes in the Edo era of Japan who mended their garments with spare fabric scraps out of economic necessity. A boro garment would most likely be handed down over generations, eventually resembling a patchwork after decades of mending. Only in the modern era are we beginning to see the care and beauty of these textiles.
Sashiko Vest #1 is a long vest sewn using Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric cotton cloth, then hand stitched in various Sashiko patterns using The Shibaguyz FAB Sashiko Essentials thread collection from Aurifil Thread.
Fabric: Body - Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric in Indigo.
Patches - Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric from fat quarters in various colors.
Sashiko Stitching - Shannon and Jason Mullett-Bowlsby hand stitched Hitomezashi Sashiko patterns (where the pattern emerges from the alignment of single stitches made on a grid) then the garment pieces are machine sewn.
Pattern includes:
Instructions for making the vest in Sizes Small through 5X and doing the sashiko stitching.
Fabric amounts for all sizes
Detailed schematics, stitching instructions for the vest and for the sashiko embellishments
SIZES
Small (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X)
To Fit Measured Bust: 32 (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60)" / 81.3 (91.4, 101.6, 111.8, 121.9, 132.1, 142.2, 152.4)cm
To Fit Finished Bust: 34 (38, 42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62)" / 86.4 (96.5, 106.7, 116.8, 127.0, 137.2, 147.3, 157.5)cm
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
MATERIALS
Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric
2 YDs (3 YD for XL, 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X)
-Back Panel
-Front Panels
-Collar Panels
-Sides Panels
10 fat quarters in various colors for patches
PLUS Two more fat quarters in the same color for the F Patch 1 (left and right)
Sewing Machine
Sashiko Notions
Sashiko Needle and Thimble
Sashiko Pattern Templates
Not Required, but will make it easier
Plastic grid
Circular plastic grid
Washable or heat removable White Marking Pen from Clover
Washable Blue fabric marking pen(s)
Serger/Overlock
You're going to need thread for all that FAB stitching, right?
FAB Sashiko Essentials Aurifil Thread Collection
FAB Sashiko Essentials by Shannon and Jason
Includes 6 large spools of Aurifil Cotton 12wt thread with 356 yds/325 m per spool
Colors Included
2024 – White
2740 – Dark Cobalt
2265 – Lobster Red
1240 – Very Dark Eggplant
1147 – Light Leaf Green
4657 – Tramanto a Zoagli (variegated)
Our FAB Sashiko Essentials thread collection for Aurifil is the perfect starter pack of colors to set you on the right path for your sashiko projects. We use these thread in our classes and our book and personal sashiko and handsewing projects. However, we’ve also used these same threads for hand quilting, embroidery, and even cross stitcha nd machine embroidery. We picked the colors for this collection specifically to work across a wide range of projects and fabrics whether you want your threads to stand out for sashiko or blend in more for shading in embroidery and quilting.
If you’ve never worked with Aurifil thread before in your hand sewing and sashiko, do yourself a favor and try this essentials collection. You’ll find out very quickly why we only work with Aurifil thread: smooth thread that doesn't easily tangle or snag. Aurifil thread produces virtually no lint or thread dust to clog up your machines. We were hooked from the first samples we used and are now Aurifil Ambassadors and designers.
From the Aurifil Website
Aurifil’s 100% Cotton 12wt thread is the heaviest weight thread we offer and is perfect for hand applique, hand embroidery, hand quilting, cross stitch, embellishment, handmade lace, machine applique, blanket stitch, machine embroidery (especially for designs that use a longer stitch length), machine art quilting, Sashiko, redwork, lower looper serging, and longarm quilting.
Uses
Hand applique, hand embroidery, hand quilting, cross stitch, embellishment and lace, machine applique, blanket stitch, buttonhole stitch, machine embroidery, machine art quilting, sashiko, redwork, lower looper serging, longarm quilting.
Needle Recommendations
· Sashiko Needle (hand stitching)
· 100/16 or 90/14 Topstitch Needle (40wt in the bobbin)
· 4.5 Longarm Needle (28wt in the bobbin)
Tips
· When using 12wt thread by machine, we recommend using a much thinner thread in the bobbin, like our 40wt.
· When using in a Longarm machine, quilt slowly, using a longer stitch and silicone conditioner where necessary.