As part of the summer programme of our ‘Connecting Threads: Fashion Inspired by the MEAA’ exhibition (28 June 2023 to 22 December 2023) we have enlisted curator and textile repair specialist Thea Batty to deliver an introductory sashiko (刺し子) workshop.
Sashiko is a traditional Japanese stitching technique first practised in the Edo period (1603-1867) and used to reinforce and mend damaged cloth or worn clothing using small, repetitive stitches. This method was born out of necessity, but the art of sashiko has been passed down through generations and developed into a form of decorative stitch embroidery. Nowadays it is also viewed as a mindfulness practice.
In this hands-on session Thea will guide you through the basics of hitomezashi sashiko (一目刺し刺し子), one stitch method, touching on its brief history, why it has been adopted as a mindful practice, and how it can apply to ‘visible mending’ and its potential to challenge throwaway culture.
For this workshop we will provide basic materials but you are welcome to bring your own fabrics and tools.
Thea Batty is a Welsh curator, educator, and textile repair specialist based in Wiltshire. With a Master’s in Fine Art: Curatorial Practices and BA in Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors, her mission is to challenge unethical labour practices in the fashion and textile industry.
Thea advocates for climate justice using gentle forms of activism, through facilitating creative learning workshops and producing contemporary exhibitions centred around fashion, textiles, and art. At the core of her practise resides researching, educating, and curating as a social practice.
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