SASHIKO –
Visible mending to personalize your denims and turn them into wearable art
The fashion for distressed denim has had some unforeseen consequences: Buying pre-distressed garments means that our clothing give up the ghost that much faster. We all know it can be traumatic when a favourite garment with exactly the right fit is suddenly rendered unwearable by a hole in a very strategic spot.
*Sashiko (literally “little stabs” or “little pierce”): a form of decorative reinforcement stitching (or functional embroidery) originating from Japan. -Wikipedia
We all know it can be traumatic when a favourite garment with exactly the right fit is suddenly rendered unwearable by a hole in a very strategic spot.
But don’t despair, sashiko can come to the rescue.
The technique has traditionally been used by peasants to reinforce points of wear such as elbows or knees, repair rips and tears, and also add warmth when applying an extra layer to a garment.
New fabrics were also created from old bits and pieces by stitching them together. The resulting textile is known as boro.
Mending with sashiko stitching
Mending with sashiko stitching
Sashiko stitching as reinforcement
Sashiko stitching as reinforcement
Boro fabric
A modern boro bag
Fashion houses have also caught on.
Jeans by Ralph Lauren
