In this final workshop of our Sashiko Series, you will learn how to stitch shippo tsunagi sashiko (七宝つなぎ刺し子) meaning ‘seven treasures’. This technique is made up of layered concentric circles representing wealth and enlightenment.
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.
There are hundreds of sashiko variations, styles and designs, depending on its place of origin some designs are inspired by the silhouette of mountains, waves within rivers, or the beautiful petals of a blossom.
This series is part of the summer events programme of the ‘Connecting Threads: Fashion Inspired by the MEAA’ exhibition (28 June 2023 to 22 December 2023). To learn more about this exhibition visit here.
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 protesting, through facilitating creative learning workshops and producing contemporary exhibitions centred around fashion, textiles, and art. At the core of her practise is a radically empathic approach towards researching, educating, and curating as a social practice.
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