Pocket Guide to Sashiko and Boro Stitching: Carry-Along Reference to Stitches, Tools, and Projects (Landauer) Detailed How-To, 2 Step-by-Step ... History, and More

by Pepper Cory

The best and most convenient guide to the Japanese embroidery style of sashiko and boro stitching you'll ever own! This handy pocket guide will help you fully understand the timeless sewing techniques of sashiko and boro stitching and how to perfectly execute them! Featuring helpful overviews on the history of boro and sashiko stitching, also included are detailed sections on tools, marking tips, and a variety of simple designs. With seven simple projects that contain easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and coordinating photography, you'll fall in love with this unique stitching style!

Genres: Crafts

64 pages, Paperback

Published December 5, 2023

Reviews

[Sylvie Nolf]

My overall thoughts on this book are that it’s a reasonable guide for beginners interested in the moyouzashi style of sashiko and boro but has a few flaws.

The Good:
The material section gave quite a good list of what you would need to start and gives a good amount of discussion on the different types of threads, thimbles etc that you could use.
The instructions for the example projects given are clear and easy to follow. You could certainly make some nice stuff following the advice in this book.

The Bad:
Like many similar sashiko instructional books, it takes sashiko out of its original context and repackages it for a western audience in a way that I feel is a little icky. For more on this I recommend checking out Japanese sashiko artist Atsushi Futatsuya who speaks frequently on this topic.
This book only gives information on moyouzashi style sashiko and doesn’t even mention hitomezashi. I found this a little strange because hitomezashi is by far the most popular style among westerners using sashiko for mending, which I assume is the target audience for this book. It could be that the author comes from more of a quilting background but still strange to not even mention the different styles

[Heather]

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. This was a fascinating read! If you are into sewing, embroidery and cross stitching you might be interested in this book.
The book is packed full of information for sewing and creating designs. I think quilters would really like this book a lot. I am planning on buying this book so I can have it for a reference in any of my future sewing projects. The photos are beautifully done and directions are clear and easy to understand.

[Deb]

3 stitched stars
“The soothing process of stitching Sashiko has been referred to as ‘meditation with a needle.’”

Pepper Cory, an experienced quilter and teacher presents a well-organized, clear introduction to two types of traditional Japanese stitching. The language is easy to understand, and photos are helpful. She specifies how to mark fabrics with patterns and moves from simple to more complex designs. I like that she suggests stitchers don’t need to wait for authentic Japanese thread and can use readily available #8 Perl cotton.

Even though this is a pocket guide, I would have liked a few more projects than a Sashiko embroidered jean jacket and a boro (patched) scarf.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Alicia Bayer]

This is a nice, short guide to these techniques with good basic info and a couple of projects. Since it is a pocket guide, keep in mind that it is brief. Also note that it is not an own voices book from what I can tell, as the author is an American quilter. Still a nice resource.

I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.

[Leyla Johnson]

For anyone wishing to start sashiko ans boro stitching, this is an excellent book, with lots of basic information and detailed photos and projects. Great for beginners and maybe older children, who would like to experiment with recycling clothing. and making individual boro items of clothing. .Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DR..

[J]

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

This book was fine to learn the basics. I would have liked to see a more comprehensive selection of stitch patterns and their meanings, but I guess this is just to get you started.

[Rachelle]

Great Book. Worth having if you want to start learning how to do this type of stitching. From the tools to the How-To on stitching, the information is there for you in this little pocket sized book. Wish there had been a few more images.

[Kerrific Kerr]

A great guide for those interested in this unique, decorative stitching. Best for someone who has background in hand stitching already.

[Jo MelecaVoigt]

This isn’t a guide as much as musings. There isn’t much guidance or practical info. It gives some nice background, but nothing practical or helpful.