This year for vacation, I went to recharge in Japan far from my sewing machine, schedules, orders... and it felt good to let go of my fast-paced life and savor the passing time.
Among the activities I did during my trip, there is one I particularly loved and that did me a lot of good... it was bringing my little classic embroidery kit and sashiko in my travel bag. This way, I was able to do an activity:
- creative,
- relaxing,
- easy to carry,
- requiring little equipment,
- that can be done almost anywhere
- ...
In short, you’ve understood that embroidery for me is a bit of a magical activity and really great to take everywhere with you!
So, I invite you to dive into the world of an activity that for me flirts between meditation and mindfulness... savoring the present moment!
Doing sashiko embroidery at Starbucks in Akita and hearing our table neighbors say: "Really, that's sashiko... did you see, she's doing sashiko... it's incredible!"
Embroider
Embroidery is of course a creative activity, but it is also an activity rooted in human history. Indeed, almost all human societies have developed over time "repair" or decorative embroidery techniques.
I learned many embroidery techniques during my childhood and adolescence because embroidery has been passed down in our family for several generations. My grandmother was an accomplished embroiderer who embroidered wedding trousseaus. As for my mother, she specialized over 30 years ago in sashiko embroidery... I just had to follow the path! That's how, at 5 years old, I started cross-stitch on large canvases and so on... Today, I mainly embroider in classic embroidery and sashiko embroidery, and it brings me a lot. Let me explain...
Classic embroidery on denim for a jeans pocket
Beginning of a sashiko embroidery in gradient thread
My fanny pack embroidered in classic embroidery (DMC stranded cotton thread)
The benefits of embroidery
In times of stress, burnout, and the paradoxical demands of our societies, several scientists have studied the benefits of embroidery, and the results were quite surprising for these researchers!
Indeed, they discovered that embroidery had positive effects on mental health (which one could suspect) but also on physical health!
Here are the remarkable results from the University of Brighton.
Embroidery:
- has a relaxing and anti-stress effect (people who start embroidery report suffering less stress than before starting the activity, and this is biologically visible with a decrease in stress-related hormones)
- relieves anxiety symptoms; by focusing on their work, people forget the worries of daily life
- stimulates creativity
- lowers blood pressure
- boosts brain function: indeed, embroidery requires mental concentration and coordination of both hands. It works on eye/hand coordination when embroidering. Embroidery is becoming a recommended activity for patients with certain types of brain injuries to train this coordination.
- is an activity to develop for people diagnosed as highly sensitive because embroidery allows them to be creative while being guided by the pattern, thus reducing brain overstimulation.
Classic embroidery of the seven Japanese gods of fortune in DMC stranded cotton threads, on the train taking us to Morioka to see my favorite summer festival
Sashiko embroidery
Let's talk a little about this type of embroidery that accompanied me during my trip to Japan... Indeed, I came across a motif of Mount Fuji surrounded by waves and cherry blossoms right at the start of my stay... You guessed it, I fell in love!
But what is sashiko?
Sashiko is an ancient Japanese embroidery technique that remains very current and modern thanks to its clean style and geometric shapes, but also increasingly figurative with the arrival of modernity in the technique.
This technique is very old, and it is difficult to date its origin precisely. Some historical traces suggest it may have been created as early as the first century! However, its rise and the development of patterns really exploded during the Edo era, that is, the 16th century.
Indeed, at that time, the technique was used by women to repair worn clothes, work clothes, and children’s clothes that were passed down among siblings. The price of fabric at that time did not allow for buying new cloth; so repairs were necessary!
Japanese Sashiko embroidery initially served to make clothes last as long as possible while minimizing the use of thread, which also had to be conserved due to its cost. The embroidery patterns were therefore designed to be economical with thread. In fact, at that time, people who wore sashiko patterns were of lower class and their patterned repairs were mocked!
With the industrialization of Japan and thus the decrease in the price of raw materials, Sashiko embroidery became more decorative and creative. Women then enjoyed creating patterns to decorate their children’s and husbands’ clothes!
Originally, Sashiko embroidery was done on dark work clothes; this is why in its traditional form, it is embroidered on blue, indigo, gray toile...
The stitch size (even today) should be the size of a grain of rice and must be between 2.5mm and 5mm. The principle is to be as regular as possible, which will give the pattern all its beauty!
My mom embroidered the "4 seasons" panel sold at the shop in sashiko embroidery.
Example of a modern jacket embroidered in sashiko.
Today sashiko in Japan
Sashiko embroidery developed in Japan with beautiful reinterpretations of this traditional art, whether in clothing, decoration, or household linens. What was originally intended for repair and peasants has become a fashion accessory, a chic embroidery!
With Japan’s opening to the rest of the world in 1854, sashiko embroidery was exported to Europe and the United States. Embroiderers worldwide were able to learn and reinterpret it in turn. Notably, the Englishwoman Susan Briscoe brought sashiko to prominence in Europe and passes on her passion from England to Japan!
Today, many brands incorporate sashiko embroidery elements into their creations, whether in Japan or the United States.
I was able to visit a workshop in Morioka where two ladies create sashiko threads dyed with indigo but also with new dyeing techniques that allow them to create very pretty speckled threads!
Visiting the dyeing workshop in Morioka
Finishing my Mount Fuji embroidery with soaking
My sashiko embroidery in Japan
As I was telling you, I chose to embroider a figurative pattern during my trip to Japan.
I loved letting myself be carried away, diving into my embroidery. Absorbed by creating my little stitches, I didn’t notice the time passing and I felt a special satisfaction seeing this pretty pattern progress.
Back home, I finished it and washed it so I can incorporate it into a sewing project. I don’t know which one yet... if you have ideas, feel free to share them in the comments 😊. All that’s left is to iron it.
I will continue my sashiko creations because I brought back several figurative panels in my suitcase that I will show you later.
And if you also want to get started with sashiko embroidery, we have all the materials to get started in the shop. We also organize introductory workshops.
So, ready? Grab your needles!
And here is my Mount Fuji pattern finished... I already have plenty of other ideas!
