| People often refer to Sashiko embroidery as | | | | or a form of decorative reinforcement stitching to |
| Japanese embroidery. And while both terms have the | | | | repair points of wear or tears with patches. Today, this |
| word embroidery in them, as a native of Japan and | | | | running stitch technique is often used purely for |
| instructor of traditional Sashiko design, I would like to | | | | decorative purposes in making quilts, purses or |
| take the time to explain the distinction between the | | | | handbags and small pillows. |
| two. | | | | Japanese embroidery (nihon shishu in Japanese) is an |
| First of all, let's look to Wikipedia for a definition of | | | | embroidery technique that goes back more than one |
| what embroidery is: | | | | thousand years. It uses intricate patterning, silken and |
| Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric | | | | golden threads, and traditional symbolic motifs worked |
| or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. A | | | | on fine silk fabrics. In its early stages, and in contrast to |
| characteristic of embroidery is that the basic | | | | the functional aspect of Sashiko embroidery, Japanese |
| techniques or stitches of the earliest work -- chain | | | | embroidery was reserved for decorating items used |
| stitch, buttonhole or blanket stitch, running stitch, satin | | | | during religious ceremonies. |
| stitch, cross stitch -- remain the fundamental | | | | Over time, as shishu developed its own unique |
| techniques of hand embroidery today. | | | | Japanese qualities and characteristics, it took on a |
| Sashiko embroidery is a very old and classical form of | | | | more artistic purpose. During the early stages shishu |
| hand sewing using simple running stitches. The | | | | was only available to a selected group; only the highest |
| Japanese word Sashiko means "little stabs". Sashiko | | | | ranks of society could afford such costly work. |
| was born from the necessity of conserving and | | | | However, after a thousand years of abundance, this |
| repairing garments at a time when cloth was not | | | | cultural heritage is revived amongst hand stitching |
| widely available to farmers and fishermen. | | | | enthusiast and is now available to a wider audience. |
| Sashiko has been considered as functional embroidery | | | | |