🧵 What We Learned at Sashiko at the West Philly Library — & How You Can Try It Too

On a too warm fall Saturday, the West Philly Library turned into a tiny sanctuary of stitches.

People gathered (more than either I or the library anticipated)—some nervous, some nostalgic, some just curious—to learn the art of sashiko, a centuries-old Japanese mending technique that turns rips into radiant designs. What started as a way to patch worn clothes has become something much deeper: a meditative, creative act that says this is still worthy.

We came with denim and thread. We left with new skills and brighter spirits.

Here’s what stood out—and how you can try it at home, no experience needed.

✂️ 5 Things We Loved from Our Sashiko Workshop

1. It’s okay to start messy.
No one’s first stitches were perfect. That’s kind of the point. Every jagged line carried its own charm—and its own story.

2. Mending together feels like magic.
There’s something powerful about sitting in a circle with strangers and realizing: we’ve all torn something—and we’re all trying to mend it.

3. Your clothes remember.
Participants brought pieces they hadn’t worn in years—a dad’s old flannel, a dress from college—and by the end, those clothes felt alive again.

4. Sashiko is slow—and that’s the gift.
In a world of rush and click-and-buy, sashiko invites you to sit, stitch, breathe. No machine. No pressure. Just thread and time.

5. No two repairs looked alike.
That’s the beauty. You don’t have to follow a pattern. Your mend is your mark. It’s how you say: this piece matters.

💫 Want to Try It Yourself?

You don’t need fancy tools. Just:

• A needle

• Sashiko or embroidery thread (or thick cotton thread)

• Scrap fabric (denim is great!)

• A piece of clothing you love too much to toss

Start with this:
Sew a simple running stitch in rows across a patch. Let the lines be uneven. Let it be slow. Let it be yours.

You can also download our presentation from the library here

📣 Want guidance and good company? Join us live.

Our next Mending Workshop is open to all levels—whether you're repairing your favorite jeans or just want to learn. We’ll teach the basics, share supplies, and stitch side by side.

✨ Join our next Mending Workshop →
Or book a one-on-one private lesson for personalized help with a specific piece.

→ Book a private mending session

🧷 P.S. Got a piece with a story?

Send us a photo of what you’re mending—or hoping to mend. We’d love to feature your piece in our next post or newsletter.

Because here, every thread counts.