Helle Eggebrecht – Discover Sashiko!

  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Participants: 15
  • Difficulty: Beginners

Sashiko is a Japanese quilting technique or rather an embroidery technique. I myself mostly use sashiko for smaller quilting projects, or combine it with patchwork as an additional stylistic device. It is not difficult to learn!

Traditionally, Sashiko is done with white thread on indigo blue fabric. But all other colour combinations are possible and legitimate. In more recent times, the Japanese themselves are quite unconcerned about modern colour combinations, so why shouldn’t we do the same if we feel like it? It’s hand sewn, and as with all new techniques, it takes a bit of practice before it becomes really beautiful.

Patterns are abundantly available to us from Japanese literature. To try something new, we can play with South Indian kolam patterns or Celtic knot ornamentation. We will draw and stylise natural forms such as leaves or snails. Texts in cursive are another way of creating! And sometimes dropping a string or some Mikado sticks will lead to interesting patterns!

Possible applications: Shawls, pouches, bags, cushions, placemats, runners, waistcoats, jackets, aprons, blankets and as an addition on a patchwork.

Suitable material: Ordinary cotton fabric, light denim, fine tightly woven bourrette silk, light wool fabric. What will NOT work is poplin, chintz and coarse peasant linen as the strong embroidery thread is difficult to pull through these fabrics.

No special previous knowledge is required for this technique.





Materials List:

  • 2 to 3 fabrics to choose from
  • Thick sewing needles in different thicknesses
  • Fabric pins
  • Embroidery or quilting frame (if available)
  • Chequered and white paper
  • Some cardboard for a template
  • Glue stick
  • Paper scissors

Class Fee: € 55

The class fee also includes the admision fee for the day of the class!

  • Class Title: Discover Sashiko!
  • Class ID: HEG-SA1, HEG-SA2


Click here to book classes!

All images ©Helle Eggebrecht, used with kind permission of the artist.