Sashiko Studio Stitching in de kunstwijk van Kyoto

Nene is an excellent teacher! She is kind, patient, has good visual props and explanations to try basic sashiko. She welcomes mistakes for the complete beginner like I was!

Excellent small group (6) experience with an artist who has a deep understanding, respect and passion for traditional Japanese fiber arts. Jun is a skilled contemporary artist incorporating ancient techniques into his contemporary creations. He is a patient and kind teacher. The project he chose gave all the basics of sashiko and was able to be completed in the class time.

A wonderful time spent stitching with a very experienced sashiko teacher. I felt very welcomed and the class was unhurried, instructions clear and conversation flowed. Delightful time.

I learned so much about sashiko from Jun in a relaxed and informative small group setting tucked away on one of the side streets. There are hand dyed threads and sashiko supplies available for purchase. Highly recommend!

Learning Sashiko stitch work from Jun was one of the highlights of visiting Kyoto. From the moment the workshop began, it was clear how deeply he values both the craft and its lineage. Jun brought a beautiful collection of antique boro and Sashiko-stitched textiles to inspire us—including his incredible hand-stitched sneakers. It was my first time seeing authentic boro pieces from generations past, and it made our time together feel so alive and meaningful. He even plant-dyed the threads included in our Sashiko kits, adding another layer of care and intention to the experience. He also had a mini shop set up with kits, plant-dyed threads, and tools, making it easy for those who want to continue practicing this craft after the workshop. His instruction was thorough and thoughtful. He began by introducing us to the history of this ancient craft and explained multiple ways of preparing Sashiko thread for our projects—such as where to cut a full skein and how to store thread so it doesn’t get tangled. He demonstrated how to get started, taught us different knotting techniques, and guided us in choosing our stitch pattern templates. He also explained the differences between thick and thin threads, when to use each, and introduced tools like a special chalk pencil for marking patterns. One of the most memorable parts of the workshop was the relaxed stitching time. We sat together as a group, sewing and sharing stories about life in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. His assistant served us green tea along with delicious snacks, including crackers and mochi. I appreciated being able to ask questions about my own stitching—like how to baste properly and how to make both sides of the work, including the back, look beautiful. I was especially excited to learn from a Japanese teacher in Japan, and I appreciated hearing how he became a Sashiko artist, as well as learning about his fashion design business in Osaka. By the end of the workshop, we had all completed our Sashiko-stitched keychains, and I left with a happy smile and a renewed sense of creative excitement for future projects. Thank you, Jun, for your generosity, inspiration, and for sharing the beauty of Sashiko with us.

Learning Sashiko stitch work from Jun was one of the highlights of visiting Kyoto. From the moment the workshop began, it was clear how deeply he values both the craft and its lineage. Jun brought a beautiful collection of antique boro and Sashiko-stitched textiles to inspire us—including his incredible hand-stitched sneakers. It was my first time seeing authentic boro pieces from generations past, and it made our time together feel so alive and meaningful. He even plant-dyed the threads included in our Sashiko kits, adding another layer of care and intention to the experience. He also had a mini shop set up with kits, plant-dyed threads, and tools, making it easy for those who want to continue practicing this craft after the workshop. His instruction was thorough and thoughtful. He began by introducing us to the history of this ancient craft and explained multiple ways of preparing Sashiko thread for our projects—such as where to cut a full skein and how to store thread so it doesn’t get tangled. He demonstrated how to get started, taught us different knotting techniques, and guided us in choosing our stitch pattern templates. He also explained the differences between thick and thin threads, when to use each, and introduced tools like a special chalk pencil for marking patterns. One of the most memorable parts of the workshop was the relaxed stitching time. We sat together as a group, sewing and sharing stories about life in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. His assistant served us green tea along with delicious snacks, including crackers and mochi. I appreciated being able to ask questions about my own stitching—like how to baste properly and how to make both sides of the work, including the back, look beautiful. I was especially excited to learn from a Japanese teacher in Japan, and I appreciated hearing how he became a Sashiko artist, as well as learning about his fashion design business in Osaka. By the end of the workshop, we had all completed our Sashiko-stitched keychains, and I left with a happy smile and a renewed sense of creative excitement for future projects. Thank you, Jun, for your generosity, inspiration, and for sharing the beauty of Sashiko with us. It was a gift to learn from you!