Intro to Sashiko with Sashiko Dan
Learn to mend your clothes and turn them into your next statement piece!
Sashiko is a traditional Japanese stitching practice rooted in mending, utility, and simple geometric design. In this beginner-friendly workshop, Dan introduces participants to the foundations of this enduring craft.
Participants will receive a Japanese ring thimble, sashiko needles, pattern tools, thread, and fabric, and will learn to stitch while creating a functional project along with an extra project to take home.
Dan began hand sewing in 2017 by patching his own jeans to extend the life of his work clothes. He soon discovered sashiko and largely taught himself through online study. In 2024, he deepened his understanding of sashiko’s technique, history, and cultural significance through a live online workshop with artist Atsushi Futatsuya of Upcycle Stitches. He has since led several beginner sashiko and visible mending workshops, along with offering commissioned repairs and one-on-one instruction.
Who should take this class:
Intro to Sashiko is great beginner friendly class for sewists at any level who are ready to start or improve their hand sewing journey! Even though it's a beginner class, people of any sashiko skill level will have fun and learn something new.
Relevant Feedback
Good class, lots of information as well as hands on. All supplies were provided and volunteer help was great to keep us moving along. I liked all of his examples and ideas. He was very creative and really encouraging. I would definitely take another class from him and from the Sewing Labs.
Dan was very knowledgeable and gave excellent instruction peppered with the foundation and history of sashiko. Well paced and I truly enjoyed it.
Overall I walked into this class not knowing how to do the technique and I walked out not knowing how to do the technique still.
The instructor was unorganized and didn’t appear to have done any type of prep work ( such as having the fabric prepared with a basic pattern already) to cut down on the set up to learning the technique. He focused on showing his work versus showing us how to do the technique. The instructor’s focus was taken up with basic sewing knowledge (I.e. how to thread a needle and trace onto fabric). So it could be helpful in the class description to layout that some basic knowledge is needed for all participant’s.
When I left the class I didn’t even have the sampler started nor the knowledge on how to start it. Before I left I asked the instructor for tips on how to start I was told that there are “good” online resources available.I was really looking forward to this workshop and I left very confused and disappointed overall.
Instructors
Sashiko Dan
Contact us
- cl••••s@the••••s.org
- (816) 888-3051
Location
Classifications
Categories
- Classes
- Hand Sewing
Age Groups
- Adult
- Teen (16+)
Levels
- No Experience
- Beginner (Some experience)