Stitching from the Heart: A Father’s Day Gift Made with Sashiko

This Father’s Day, I decided to do something a little different. Rather than just buying a gift off the shelf, I decided to have a go at repairing my husband’s favourite old pair of cargo pants! You know those ones that are falling apart at the seams and he still won’t give em up kinda pants? I’ve finally come to trust myself enough with a needle and thread to set about giving these well-worn wonder’s a few more years of wear with some creative Father's Day stitching!

I have previously dabbled in a little Sashiko using any ol’ needle with embroidery floss (or whatever I had on hand!). As a seasoned crafter I have come to know that having the right tools and equipment can really make or break your groove when learning a new hobby. This time I really wanted to splash out on a few Sashiko necessities and be sure to give my hubby’s favourite old pants some stitching justice!

The ol’ trusties in question...	What to do when there’s a hole or two?

Discovering Sashiko

Sashiko, a traditional Japanese form of embroidery, is all about simple running stitches that create beautiful patterns — often inspired by nature or geometry. What started as a practical mending technique has evolved into a stunning art form, and I fell in love with it the moment I saw it during a live demonstration at a local craft show in Brisbane a few years ago.

Being somewhat of a sashiko beginner, for this project I wanted to focus on something less structured and a bit more personal and of course manly! My husband has always been a fan of understated thoughtful things  — so spending time improving the life of a favourite item, stitched with intention, felt just right.

A Peek Into My Sashiko Toolbox

I sourced all my sashiko supplies from Fibre of my Being and honestly, that made all the difference! I have been following Fibre of my Being for a while now and she has inspired me to get into Sashiko and mending even more! Fibre of my Being (don’t you just love the name?!) is a wonderful online fibre craft supplies store with beautiful hand-dyed yarns, sashiko and mending supplies. She also has a great blog featuring tips, tricks and anything you may possibly need to get you started with Sashiko and mending. Whilst shopping here for sashiko supplies I couldn’t help myself and also had to get some hand dyed sock yarn to crochet with! It is wonderful to work with so far and available in some really delicious colour-ways!

Here are a few of my favorite finds:

•  Sashiko thread: This was a game-changer. Unlike standard embroidery floss, true sashiko thread has a matte texture and just the right thickness to mould into the fabric and without all the stands of floss to contend with! For this project I used both embroidery floss and sashiko floss and now I am converted due to it’s ease of use and durability!

• Proper sashiko needles: I found them to be longer and sturdier than regular embroidery needles, they make it easier to load multiple stitches at once and it made stitching a breeze, I found Sashiko needles much more enjoyable to use than my embroidery needles!

• Thimble (the sashiko kind!): I’ll admit, I never knew why on earth I would need this item but it IS a life-changer! In short, your hand will certainly thank you for it. Using a sashiko-style thimble that fits around the base of your middle finger completely changed my stitching game. It gives you control and power, especially when working through layers of thicker fabrics like denim. I feel (and look) like a total pro now!

My favourite Sashiko finds!	My new best friend when I attack my jeans next!

Tips I Picked Up Along the Way

If you're new to sashiko, or just thinking about making something handmade for a loved one, here are a few tips I wish I’d known sooner:

• Use the right thread: Sashiko thread isn’t just a visual difference — it feels different too. Embroidery floss tends to separate and snag, while sashiko thread glides through fabric like it was meant to be there. there is a time and place for both types of thread depending on aesthetic and durability.

• Use the right needle! It may not seem that important but it really is, as this experiment has clearly proven!

• Don’t skip the thimble: The correct kind (especially for sashiko) saves your fingers and improves your stitching flow. Once I got used to it, I will never stitch without it again.

• Imperfect stitches are perfect: This is something I truly love about sashiko — it doesn’t ask for perfection. It can if you want it too, but really all it asks for is being present and going with the flow.

  
  

On that note though, I did also manage to get my hands on a sampler set of Sashiko coasters from Fibre of my Being too that I hope to have time to stitch up (at least one) for hubby in time for Father’s Day! I thought it would be a great chance to use some more of this beautiful sashiko thread and practice with a project that requires a little more precision. For this project my son chose the blue Olympus variegated thread  I’m really looking forward to using it, and seeing it change colour as I stitch!

The Gift That Keeps Giving

The final piece I stitched for my husband wasn’t overly fancy — just a few patches and interesting stitches, crosses, lines and hatches that reinforced the problem areas and also suited the unique aesthetic of his comfy pair of old faves.

It’s not perfect by a long shot but every stitch was filled with care, love and intention, and that’s what makes it special. Because at the end of the day, the most meaningful gifts are the ones made not just for someone, but from you.

I used embroidery thread here to match the colour and the worn out texture..	The most worn areas were a little tricky but I learnt a lot!

Next, after a bit of practice I’m going to try attacking my favourite denims, hats, jeans, shorts, shoes - nothing is safe now that I have my Sashiko saviours!

• Sashiko thread

• Sashiko needles

• Leather thimble

• Olympus Sashiko Sampler Kit

• Small embroidery scissors

Supplies I used from Fibre of my Being Whom I would love to thank so much for this wonderful opportunity to be a guest blogger for her Fibre of my Being Blog. I love her stitching work and fibre arts supplies. This fun and creative collab really lifted my sashiko game, got me serious husband brownie points and inspired so many new projects with just a few supplies. Thanks heaps - we must do this again!