Sashiko Stitch-a-Long Supplies (Beginning with What We Have)

2 hours ago
4 min read

Last week, this post was meant to go up on Saturday.

Instead, the days folded in on themselves a bit. My kids weren’t feeling well, and we spent more time at home—moving slowly, tending to what was right in front of us.

The supplies sat on the table, untouched.

And in a way, that felt fitting.

Because the more I read about sashiko, the more I realize that it isn’t a practice built on urgency. It’s one that grows out of patience, out of care, out of using what’s already there.

So this week, we begin.

Looking Around Before Looking Elsewhere

Before I ordered anything or tried to gather the “right” tools, I started by looking around my own space.

What did I already have?

What could I use, just as it was?

For me, that meant pulling out a scrap of 28-count dark brown linen from a cross stitch project and pairing it with white DMC cotton thread.

It isn’t traditional.

But it’s honest. It’s available. And it’s enough to begin learning the movement of the stitch.

If you’re stitching along with me, I want this to feel approachable in the same way. Not something that requires a full set of new materials—but something that can begin with what’s already at hand.

The Book I’ll Be Working From

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be slowly working through the projects in The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook.

The projects are arranged from simple to more complex, which makes it feel less like a single project and more like a progression—something you can grow into over time.

If you’re following along, this is the book I’ll be referencing. But you don’t need it to begin.

What Sashiko Traditionally Uses

Sashiko has its own set of tools—developed over time to support the way the stitching is worked.

There are specific threads, long sturdy needles, marking tools designed to score cloth rather than draw on it.

But like so many traditional practices, it was never about having everything perfectly matched.

It was about making use of what was available—and allowing the work to grow from there.

What You Can Use Instead

If you’ve spent any time quilting, stitching, or working with textiles, you likely already have most of what you need.

Fabric

Traditionally, sashiko was worked on recycled indigo cloth—layered and restitched over time.

For practice, you might reach for:

linen
quilting cotton (especially slightly heavier or softer weaves)
flannel
prairie cloth

Even fabrics like aida or raw silk can work.

The one thing that matters most is the feel of it. If the fabric resists the needle too much, it’s worth choosing something more open and forgiving.

Thread

Sashiko thread is loosely twisted, strong, and designed to move smoothly through fabric.

But to begin, you can use:

embroidery floss
perle cotton
any cotton thread you have on hand

I’ll be working with DMC cotton thread as I learn.

Needles

Traditional sashiko needles are long, sturdy, and sharp—made to carry several stitches at once before pulling through.

If you don’t have one, try:

embroidery (crewel) needles
darning needles

Pay attention to how it feels in your hand. If the stitching becomes difficult, it’s often a sign that something can be adjusted—thread, needle, or fabric.

Marking the Cloth

Before stitching, designs are usually marked onto the fabric.

Traditionally, this might be done with a hera, a tool that lightly scores the cloth.

More familiar options work just as well:

chalk pencils
quilting pencils (white or silver for darker fabric)
air-erasable pens
tailor’s chalk
even a small sliver of soap

The goal is simply to create a guide that will disappear when the work is finished.

Tools That Help (But Aren’t Necessary)

There are a few additional tools that can make things easier, though none are required:

an embroidery hoop or Q-snap for tension
a thimble for pushing the needle through multiple stitches
a cutting mat and quilting ruler for marking lines
small scissors for clean thread cuts

Some makers also use a sewing machine to finish edges or assemble pieces more quickly, though all of it can be done by hand.

A Note on Layers

Traditionally, sashiko was worked through layers of cloth—adding strength and warmth at the same time.

Modern approaches vary. You might:

stitch on a single layer, like embroidery
layer fabrics together
or incorporate batting, similar to quilting

For now, I’m keeping things simple. One layer. One thread. One stitch at a time.

Beginning Without Urgency

There’s a temptation, when learning something new, to gather everything first—to prepare completely before starting.

But the more I sit with this practice, the more it feels like the opposite is true.

Sashiko began with what was available. With what needed mending. With what was already in use.

So that’s where I’m beginning too.

Not with a perfect setup.

Not with all the right tools.

Just with what I have, and a willingness to learn.

Stitching Forward

This week, I’ll be making my first stitches—slowly, and without much expectation.

I’ll share what I learn as I go, along with the pieces that take shape along the way.

If you’d like to join me, you’re very welcome here.

Bring what you have.

Let it be simple.

Let it be enough.

There’s something reassuring in starting this way—especially after a week that didn’t go according to plan.

A reminder that making doesn’t need to be rushed.

That it can begin again, quietly, whenever we’re ready.