Skill Level: Intermediate | Instructor: Nancy Plominski

Class Session: Mondays, March 9, 16, 23 - 10:30am-1pm

Learn the basics of sashiko with Nancy! In this class, students will make a Japanese rice pouch with sashiko stitched embellishments.

What is Sashiko?

Sashiko embroidery is a form of decorative stitching originating in Japan. Traditional sashiko was used to reinforce points of wear or mend garments. Today, this running stitch technique is often used for purely decorative purposes in quilting and embroidery. 

During this class, students will learn how to execute sashiko embroidery designs on the exterior of a modern Japanese rice pouch. The completed bag will measure approximately 6.5" wide and 8" tall. The first class will consist of planning and design - students will lay out their fabrics and plan the sashiko design.  The remaining classes will consist of stitching and sewing the bag to completion. 

This class is suitable for intermediate students who have prior bag making experience.  Please note, depending on the complexity of your planned sashiko design, you may need to do homework between classes in order to finish the bag by the end of the course.

Required Materials:

• (1) Pattern: Modern Japanese Rice Pouch by Nancy Plominski (will be provided in class)
• exterior fabric: (6) to (7) coordinating fabrics - they can be 1/8 yard, 1/4 yard, or fat quarters
• lining fabric: 1/4 yard of light to medium weight cotton or linen
• 1/4 yard of Pellon 987F fusible fleece
• 1/4 yard (or a 6.5" x 6.5" piece) Pellon 70P fusible stabilizer
• if you're making a fabric cord: 1/4 yard of fabric
• if you're using a drawstring cord: 2 yards of cording
• (1) spool of a neutral color of all-purpose polyester thread
• 1-2 skeins of sashiko thread
• (1) pack of sashiko needles

Recommended Fabrics:

• For the bag exterior patchwork, we suggest using quilting cotton, canvas, linen, denim, corduroy, or home decor fabrics.  This project is not suitable for knits or drapey fabrics.
• For the lining fabric, we suggest using quilting cotton or linen.

Required Tools:

• fabric scissors or rotary cutter + acrylic ruler
  
• seam ripper
• pins and/or wonder clips
  
• chalk and/or frixion marker