Sashiko and Boro: Utility and Beauty

Sashiko, an iconic Japanese needlework tradition, brings to mind delicate white geometric designs stitched on a blue ground. It’s a simple technique to learn, it is efficient, and the results are quite beautiful. While we may immediately envision the elegance of those exquisite signature sashiko designs, the technique itself has humble and utilitarian origins.

Originally published in PieceWork Fall 2024.

About: Karen Elting Brock is the editor of PieceWork magazine. Raised in a multi-generational household of makers, she learned to value handwork, creativity, and the wisdom of her crafting elders. While she has lived most of her life in Colorado, Karen loves to travel and has plied the back roads across six continents, studying traditional craft and traditional life.

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