Sashiko Embroidery - Hucknall Library - Adult Learning

Discover the calming rhythm and timeless beauty of Sashiko, the traditional Japanese art of decorative reinforcement stitching. In this hands-on course, you’ll explore Sashiko’s heritage roots, learn core techniques, and create your own stitched piece to take home.

Perfect for beginners, slow stitch enthusiasts, visible‑mending fans, and anyone who enjoys mindful making.

This Course will focus on wellbeing and how this can support your mental health in the workplace, looking at how creative activities can also lead to creating your own business.

Materials List – Sashiko Embroidery

Essential Tools & Equipment

Sashiko needles (long, sharp, with large eye) – 1–2 per learner

Sashiko thread (20–30m skeins; white or coloured cotton)

Thread snips or small embroidery scissors

Thimble (traditional palm thimble or metal ring thimble)

Fabric marking tools (some will be available to be used in classroom)

Water‑soluble pen

Chalk pencil

Hera marker (optional but ideal for beginners)

Fabric

Indigo or dark cotton (approx. 25–30cm square per learner)

Alternative: calico, linen, or cotton‑linen blend

Pre‑cut squares for coasters/patches (10–12cm)

Optional: denim scraps for visible mending

This practical, beginner-friendly workshop introduces learners to the essential techniques, cultural context, and creative possibilities of traditional Japanese Sashiko stitching. Across the sessions, learners will develop both technical skills and an understanding of how slow, mindful craft can support wellbeing and personal development.

Introduction to Sashiko

Brief history and cultural significance of Sashiko

Its origins in repair, reinforcement, and sustainability

Contemporary uses in visible mending and textile design

Materials and Tools

Understanding Sashiko-specific tools (needles, thread, fabric)

Exploring suitable alternatives for home practice

Preparing fabric for stitching

Pattern Transfer Techniques

How to mark and align traditional geometric patterns

Using grids, templates, and simple drafting methods

Developing confidence in layout and design placement

Core Stitching Skills

Learning the Sashiko running stitch technique

Developing consistency in stitch length, spacing, and tension

Practicing on sample pieces before moving to a final project

Creating a Finished Piece

Stitching a small item such as a coaster, patch, or panel

Following a traditional motif and completing a full design

Finishing techniques for a neat, durable result

Troubleshooting and Skill Development

Managing common issues

Improving efficiency and stitching flow

Exploring progression techniques such as continuous stitching

Wellbeing and Mindful Making

Experiencing the calming, repetitive nature of Sashiko

Reflecting on how slow stitching can support focus and mental wellbeing

Discussing how creative practice can reduce stress in daily and working life

Sustainability and Visible Mending

Understanding Sashiko as a sustainable craft practice

Applying techniques to repair and extend the life of textiles

Exploring how mending can become a creative and expressive process

Creative Practice and Employability

Photographing and documenting work for portfolios or social media

Basic costing and pricing of handmade items

Considering small-scale enterprise opportunities such as selling work or offering mending services

Identifying next steps for further learning or creative development

Funding and Fees

If you receive certain benefits, you may be able to take the course for free.
If money is stopping you from enrolling, please visit our funding page to see what help is available.

Living in England

To book and join one of our courses, you must live in England permanently and either:

• Live outside the devolved areas listed below, or

Live inside the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) area (Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire).

You cannot enrol if you live in these devolved areas:

• Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

• Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

• North East Combined Authority

• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority

• Tees Valley Combined Authority

• West Midlands Combined Authority

• West of England Combined Authority

• West Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

• York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

• Hull and East Yorkshire

• Greater Lincolnshire

• Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority

• Cornwall Council

• Lancashire Combined County Authority

• Buckinghamshire Council

Residency Requirements (Additional Information)

If you live in the UK on a visa, we’ll need evidence of your visa to confirm funding. You can upload this when applying, and you’ll need to complete a short questionnaire.

Some exceptions include:

• Your visa must last until after your course ends.

• Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for at least 6 months while their claim is being processed.

• You are supported by your local authority under Section 23C or 23CA of the Children Act 1989, or under the Care Act 2014.

Anyone who does not meet the funding criteria would need to pay full course fees.