THE WORKSHOP 

our new and exciting pop-up group!

There's a new group at HV NY ASG and it's called The Workshop.  Meetings take place every other month on the second Saturday from 10AM - 1PM at the East Fishkill Library.   Each session will focus on a different topic that we hope will interest members and non-members alike. 

Our first workshop took place this past Saturday, February 8 and featured Sashiko and Mending.  Have you ever heard of something called Sashiko (sash-ee-ko)?  

It is an historic Japanese form of hand stitching, and the word means "little stab".  Originally used by Japanese peasants to mend their work clothes, over time it has become decorative as well as utilitarian. 

Danielle Rudi shared with us her journey into exploring the background of Sashiko as well as trying out some of the many stitch variations to mend some of her favorite jeans.  Follow us in the photos below to see how Danielle has given new life to not-so-new garments.  Also enjoy pics of some attendees' samples.  
 

Sashiko sample, several different designs (on paper) skeins of sashiko thread

 

Cross pattern used to darn

 Top sample is a patch on the inside, whip stitched along cut edge, and straight horizontal stitches to hold patch in place.


Bottom sample is patched on the outside using straight and cross stitches.

 These were Danielle's favorite jeans and the first project she worked in Sashiko mending.  Because of the stressful location, she used the cross stitches in the area of the raw edges to help reinforce the mend.  But the final outcome doesn't look like a mend!

So, did you know you don't have to mend to make a statement?  Here, Danielle played with adding some cute little patches to the edge of your raw-edged cuffs.  How fun is that?





 

Great books for reference

 Check out this jacket that Terry made from a blanket.  It was already stitched in Sashiko style and she cut it like fabric to make the garment.  What is hard to see is there are columns of purple color thread running vertically between the columns of cream thread.

 Peggy brought some samples she made at a class from 2019.(Right)

Below, she is mending her jeans. She removed one side of the pocket stitching and will replace it when the mending is completed.

Patch samples from the workshop highlighting some very basic stitches...
are you loving the color thread introductions?  Sashiko is traditionally done in white thread.

Mary decided to cover a bleach spot with some printed denim.  Her stitching is minimal but gives her jeans lots of character.






 
Florence has collected a variety of patches to create something called Boro.  As peasant clothes wore over and over, the old patches remained in place and new ones were attached.  The result was called Boro. Florence plans to make a tote bag with hers.




 Our next Workshop is scheduled for April 11 from 10AM to 1PM,
featuring serger machines.  This session is an opportunity for serger owners who may not feel comfortable with their machine, or have questions about them, to bring them in and ask those questions to our ASG members.  Hope to see you there!