All Sashiko Project should do the “Final Steps” of its stitching, before starting using it. The process is called “Mizutoushi”, and this is a photo of my daughter helping me to do so on Sunday. Mizutoushi also explains why I keep saying “Thread Matters in Sashiko” as it works like a magic to make “both sides of the fabric” as finished. I do not plan to cover the “wrong-side” of this Furoshiki. I will use it just as is after another step called “Itokiri”.
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Stitching is one part of Sashiko. It is probably the main part of Sashiko. However, Stitching itself is NOT the only part of its wisdom. I wouldn’t recommend using any Sashiko fabric without the process of Mizutoushi, and I wouldn’t combine the fabric from those who say they do not need Mizutoushi as they can be completely different things (even if they define it as Sashiko).
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The process itself isn’t so complicated, yet full of Stories, and therefore abundance of wisdom. Have you heard of Mizutoush? Do you know why we “need” Mizutoushi? There is no such a thing as “just because” in a long-established culture… So please be mindful when you are learning Sashiko from those who keep saying “Just Because”.
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初夏の陽気の日曜日。娘を誘って風呂敷の水通しを。ただ水に通すだけなので娘の手伝いもいらないのですが、今年はできるだけ動画撮影を娘にお願いすることになると思うので、その蓮数も兼ねて。ま、結局冷たい水で遊びたがるという結末でしたけれども。
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結局使わないという道を選んだとしても、使うことを前提とした刺し子なので、水通しは必ずするようにしています。水通しをしないから駄目…というわけじゃなく、「水通しをする理由を知らないまま、水通しは必要ない」という事実の捻じ曲げが嫌なのです。現代の流行の中では、きっと水通しとは何かも知らないまま刺し子を教えている英語圏の人も多いとは思いますが。
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水通しには、知識も経験もほぼ必要ありません。誰でも初回からできるものです。でも、いや「だからこそ」、その存在は知って欲しいし、行う理由も残って欲しいと思うのです。水通しができない刺し子は…なんか怖いですから。
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2024-05-20 02:18:25
Do you have any recommendations to learn more about the mizutoushi process?
I also have a beginner question when you buy Sashiko fabric is it already two pieces of fabric together or will I need to somehow join them?
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing the importance of this step.❤️
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I still do not think I understand mizutoushi.
As weavers would say, it’s not finished until it’s wet finished