Ed’s Note: Please welcome Sharon to CraftBlog! I’m very excited about some of her tutorials and information posts that she has planned, including giving us the insider goss on the best craft stores in Melbourne, this post is the first of a series based around my new favourite craft, Sashiko stitching.

Sashiko is a Japanese running stitch that was traditionally used to reinforce points of wear or tears with patches. Cotton was expensive so farmers and fisherman used it to extend the life of their garments. White cotton thread on the traditional indigo blue cloth gives Sashiko its distinctive appearance. I have made my samples into placemats by putting fusible Pellon inside and topstitching the edge by machine. But they could just be made up as napkins, or even used as quilt blocks.

Other coloured threads, fabrics and designs, both traditional and contemporary, are now available and one of my favourites is this “Cool of Water” design in wedgewood blue thread on pale blue fabric.

This Sashiko stitching is used to make up individual blocks into a Double Wedding Ring design. I have made it into a place mat, but it could easily be extended into a beautiful quilt.

In part two, coming next week, I will be showing you what supplies you need in readiness for my tutorial and visiting Kimono House in Melbourne.