Do any of you do sashiko by hand? if so what is the difference between Japan thread ( expensive to buy) and two or three strands of embroidery thread? When I see pictures of sashiko stitches I can't tell any difference. I taught myself to do this stitch

Here is some of my stitches on denim fabric, I plan to make a clutch purse. This will be the front of my purse.

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I have learnt this craft. Traditionally, white thread on Indigo fabric [cotton or hemp or linen ie Natural fibre] Colours are a recent development.Stitches must be of a uiform length. some say it's to represent a grain of rice. special Sashiko thread has a looser twist which lays flat. However, Cotton a Broder 16 is a good subsitute. You can experiment with DMC Perle #8 too [I used this]. Lots of info and patterns from a book by Susan Briscoe "The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook" cheers, Vicki from South Australia

2 comments

by vickiannette 18 Dec 2016

The needle is a strong and long one, with a fairly large eye. Pick up quite a few stitches on the needle, then pull it through the fabric [more on the needle the better, for a smooth line]

by jenne 19 Dec 2016

Thanks for the info.

I found this comparison of Japanese Sashiko thread to hand embroidery thread...Looks like you can use them interchangeably....

Sashiko thread, a tightly twisted heavy-weight cotton thread is used in traditional Japanese sashiko, but several suitable embroidery thread substitutions are available if this thread is not available in your area. The most common is stranded cotton embroidery floss, size 8 or 12 pearl cotton, or fine crochet cotton.

1 comment

by jenne 18 Dec 2016

Thanks, very good info.

Can you use multiple strands of thread in your machine? I have never tried this so I am curious to know if it works.

1 comment

by jenne 18 Dec 2016

When I have done sashiko on the machine it is not near as pretty as done by hand. Even when you use a thicker thread.