Yesterday I hosted my very first Sashiko workshop, and honestly, I’m still glowing.
Teaching Sashiko embroidery in person was even more beautiful than I imagined. Watching everyone arrive a little nervous, then gradually relax into the rhythm of stitching, was pure joy.
For this first workshop, I chose a project that is both practical and beginner-friendly: a hand-stitched Sashiko iPad pouch.
And the results? Absolutely stunning.
If you’re curious about Sashiko or looking for your first project, this one is perfect to start with.
What is Sashiko embroidery?
Sashiko is a traditional Japanese stitching technique that originated during the Edo period. It was originally used to reinforce and repair clothing, but today it’s loved worldwide for its calming rhythm and beautiful geometric patterns. Unlike many other embroidery styles, Sashiko uses:
- Simple running stitches
- Strong cotton thread
- Repetitive patterns
- High contrast (often white on indigo)
It’s incredibly meditative and very beginner-friendly, no complicated stitches required.
Our workshop project: A Sashiko iPad pouch
We created the pouch from scratch, starting with plain fabric.
Step 1: Marking the Pattern
First, we transferred traditional Sashiko patterns onto indigo cotton denim using a heat-erasable marking pen and traditional Sashiko pattern stencils.
👉 Recommended tools:
Clear markings make stitching much easier, especially for beginners.
Step 2: Stitching the Sashiko Design
Then came the most relaxing part: stitching.
Sashiko uses long needles that allow you to load several stitches at once, almost like gathering fabric on the needle.
👉 Essential supplies:
Sashiko starter set →https://amzn.to/4rHr8nY
Long Sashiko needles → https://amzn.to/4cVCqR3
100% cotton Sashiko thread → https://amzn.to/4rCjD1I
Multi colored 100% cotton Sashiko thread → https://amzn.to/4ua0plV
Using the right needle makes a huge difference. Regular embroidery needles are shorter and slow down the process.
Before long, the room became wonderfully quiet, just the soft sound of thread moving through fabric.
Step 3: Turning the embroidery into a functional pouch
After completing the stitching, we transformed the embroidered panels into a padded iPad pouch. We added lining fabric and assembled everything with a sewing machine.
👉 Helpful tools:
- Quilting ruler for precise cutting
→ https://amzn.to/4aNZE8Y - Sharp fabric scissors
→ https://amzn.to/4rQomNC
Watching the flat embroidered pieces turn into a finished object was magical.
Why this is the perfect beginner Sashiko project?
If you’re new to Sashiko, an iPad pouch is ideal because:
✔ The size is manageable.
✔ You get a useful finished item.
✔ It builds confidence quickly.
✔ Mistakes are hardly visible.
Every pouch in the workshop looked different and every single one was beautiful. That’s the charm of handmade work.
The unexpected magic of teaching Sashiko
What surprised me most was how quickly everyone relaxed. At first, there were the usual worries:
“Are my stitches even?”
“Am I doing it right?”
But Sashiko has a way of quieting that inner perfectionist. Hands find their rhythm. Breathing slows down. Conversations soften. It becomes less about perfection and more about the process. Teaching this ancient technique felt like sharing a small piece of calm in a very busy world.
Want to try Sashiko yourself?
If you’ve been curious about Sashiko embroidery, this project is a wonderful place to start. All you really need is:
- Fabric (preferably cotton or linen)
- Sashiko thread
- A long needle
- A marking tool
- Patience and a cup of coffee or tea
Once you begin, it’s surprisingly addictive. For anyone wanting to explore Sashiko in more depth, these are excellent resources I highly recommend:
This was only the beginning
Walking home after the workshop, carrying my samples and a heart full of gratitude, I knew one thing for sure: This will not be my last Sashiko workshop.
There is something deeply human about gathering around fabric and thread, learning together, and creating something tangible with your hands.
If you’d like to join a future workshop, make sure to follow along. I’ll be announcing new dates soon.
And if you try making your own Sashiko pouch, I would absolutely love to see it.
Happy stitching ✨
