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Denim Upcycling and Embellishment with Sue Howie – Online Sashiko Workshop
Denim Upcycling Online Workshop with sashiko and boro educator Sue Howie: upcycle or embellish an item of denim (or cotton) through sashiko stitching.
Learn how to use the decorative reinforcement stitching method of sashiko to renew or embellish a favourite item of denim or cotton clothing, such as jeans or jackets.
During this one-hour workshop—suitable for all skill levels—Sue will guide you through the process of repairing or decorating a garment of clothing using sashiko embroidery.
The online workshop will be up to an hour long, followed by a question and answer session. Session Time: 10.30AM – 11.30AM AEST.
The event will be hosted on Zoom. After you’ve registered, easy instructions will be sent to each attendee on how to attend the online session. This will give you time to have all your requirements on hand and ready to go.
Denim Upcycling with Sue Howie – Online Sashiko Workshop – 10.30AM AEST, Friday September 12th, 2025
Discover an artistic way of repairing clothing, such as denim jackets, denim jeans, or tee shirts (cotton or linen blend).
An example of upcycling denim using sashiko embroidery. Source: ‘Sashiko: What Visual Mending Means To Crafters’, vox.com
What you will need to bring
Fabrics
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- An item of clothing that you would like to decoratively mend or embellish, such as denim jeans, denim jacket, or tee shirt (cotton or linen blend). You can choose a well-worn item that would benefit from decorative repair, or an undamaged item that you simply would like to embellish with decorative stitching.
Needles
Thread
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- A skein or card of sashiko thread or roll of perle embroidery thread, either size no. 5 or no. 8
- A standard hand sewing thread for basting.
Scissors
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- 1 x pair of small scissors.
One week prior to the first session, attendees will be emailed the above list, and a Zoom link to attend the class online. Read more about getting started with sashiko tools and materials.
About the history of sashiko embroidery
Sashiko is a traditional Japanese form of decorative reinforcement stitching. The technique dates back to the Edo Period when Japanese women from the agricultural classes developed the practice of attaching pieces of fabric to worn-out garments, bed linen, and other textiles to prolong their usage. The patches were sewn onto the garments using a ‘stabbing stitch’, also known as ‘sashiko’, which roughly translates to “piercing with little stabs”. Over the years, sashiko has evolved into a more sophisticated art form, characterised by a defined structure and more consistent stitch lengths.
