People ask: “Is it okay to do Sashiko on Denim Jeans. It isn’t traditional.” – I answer, “Yes, of course. But, please try to learn what Sashiko is”. I am NOT denying the change in culture – without changes, it isn’t culture. I just want “changes” to be sincere, not by ignorance, not for the profit of someone who doesn’t belong to.
☆
“Sashiko & Denim” is one change. Before I started stitching denim in 2006, it wasn’t as popular as today. I didn’t see many Sashiko & Denim done together. As I had shared an analogy with “Aspirin”, damaging the denim for the purpose of mending, and calling it Sashiko Mending, is very culturally distorted & “wrong”. Apply Sashiko stitchings to strengthen the denim fabric when the denim gets a bit soft but before a hole is probably the “original” image of Sashiko & Denim. We can prolong the denim life by Sashiko. Well, eventually, no matter how much we stitch, the denim will get a hole. Then, it is time to mend the denim with Sashiko stitching (if you want). So, I am NOT saying Sashiko mending with denim is all inappropriate. If you happen to have a hole, it is very beautiful to repair it instead of replacing it. I just want to share how “irrational” to see the act of damaging the fabric for the purpose of mending, and call it Boro/Sashiko mending. You would feel the same if one is damaging their health by not-sleeping, yet celebrating the recovery from headache by taking aspirin.
☆
Mending itself is perfectly fine. However, mending isn’t the whole picture of Sashiko. I want them to learn how to stitch throughout the denim first so we can prolong the denim life before mending.
☆
–
–
–
☆
平面裁断とか、そもそも野良着とかを作る職人さんと一緒に育ってきた環境で、「動きのある立体裁断はしないの？」とか無邪気に聞いてみたりするわけです。今でも記憶に残っているお返事が、「余り布にハサミを入れたくなくて」というもの。これは配信でも伺った、日本的な素晴らしい繊細な感覚だと思います。布には痛覚はありません。ただ、「布が痛いんじゃないか」と感じられること。また、それを言葉にしても変だと思われないことは、日本が誇るべきことだと思っています。「布の補修」は刺し子の大切な一部分です。ただ、補修をする為に布を駄目にするのは、やっぱり本質からはズレるんだろうな……と、自戒の念も込めて。僕はまだこの感性が足らなかったりするので。日々是勉強です。
☆
2021-03-25 10:02:47
My favourite pair of jeans have a hole that’s getting bigger. Where can I learn how to mend them using Sashiko?
I totally agree
This is a great analogy that could be used in many areas of life ❤️
❤️❤️
I agree 👏👏
Well said!
❤️
Thank you, I found this so helpful
Great this is what we need 👏👏👏😍
One thing I love to do when my jeans wear out in a place that I don’t want to repair is take the best fabric (the material behind the pockets is often like new!) and make something new and beautiful featuring a Sashiko pattern, like a bag or a notions pouch, out of the fabric. I hope to be respectful of the tradition and to make something useful and beautiful that will last a long time. ❤️
Thank you for this explanation. It is incredibly insightful and I appreciate you taking time to teach the deeper meaning to us
The patterns and minimalism of the stitch is beautiful.
Hard on the fingers??
Is Sashiko used for strengthening purposes while also adding beauty? If so than adding Sashiko to new denim for strength is that acceptable? As opposed to making a “fake hole” then adding patches and sashiko. Like the picture above is acceptable ?
loving your stitches