As Master Educator and Aurifilosophy Program Coordinator, I’m always excited to share inspiration from artists who change the way we think about thread— and today’s Aurifilosophers do exactly that. I’m thrilled to welcome back Shannon Leigh Roudhán and Jason Bowlsby. A powerhouse creative team, they’re two endlessly curious makers whose love for stitch, structure, and storytelling is a wonderful source of inspiration.
Shannon and Jason joined the Aurifilosophy program in 2020, bringing with them a distinct point of view shaped by their own journeys as thoughtful educators and innovative designers. They honor traditional techniques like Boro, Sashiko, and Kogin-zashi, yet they have this wonderful way of helping today’s makers connect with those traditions in a fresh, approachable way.
Today, they’re here to celebrate one of their fabulous books, Stitching Sashiko. This field guide for intentional practice includes practical insights into Sashiko itself: not only the how, but the why behind their material choices. One detail they highlight is their go-to, Aurifil Cotton 12wt, and how the right thread can move through fabric smoothly, reduce friction, and become part of the overall texture and feel of the work.
If you’ve been curious about Sashiko, thread weight, or simply how choosing materials with intention can enhance your stitching, you’re going to love what they’ve shared.
Is your shop, group, or guild looking for insightful, inspiring, and educational information about thread? Consider booking a virtual or in-person program with one of our certified Aurifilosophers. Learn more about Aurifilosophy and connect with an educator here.
Happy stitching,
Karen L. Miller ~ Redbird Quilt Co.
The “Scream” heard ’round the Studio
We’ll never forget the day the first box of Stitching Sashiko author copies arrived. We grabbed the box cutter, pulled back the cardboard, and – not gonna lie – we screamed. If you have known us for longer than five minutes, you know we are not exaggerating. Okay… it was more of a gasp/scream combo… but you get the idea.
For years, we’ve taken our favorite reference books to the local print shop to have them chopped and spiral-bound so they would actually stay open on our laps while stitching on the couch or leaning up against a basket of snacks while we are stitching in the garden out back. When we saw that our publishers had already done it AND used a paper stock heavy enough to survive a chaotic maker’s lifestyle in our project bags, we knew this wasn’t just another book. It was the tool we had always dreamed of.
The Philosophy of Mottainai
To understand why we were so excited about a spiral binding, you have to understand why we stitch in the first place. Our textile art and mending has always been guided by the Japanese concept of Mottainai. When we first read about this philosophy, it was like a shockwave went through our realities changing the why and how of our work forever. Mottainai is the idea that it is a tragedy to waste a resource that still has a soul.
In the West, mending is often framed through the lens of “making do” or, more recently, as a trend. But through the lens of Mottainai, mending is an act of deep respect. When we use sashiko to reinforce a thinning knee or a frayed cuff, we aren’t just “fixing a hole.” We are practicing Wardrobe Architecture. When we add sashiko to a tired textile or a garment we are more than just a little bored of we renewing that garment and breathing new life into it rather than letting it languish in the back of a closet or a box in the attic. We are engineers and revivers of the everyday, looking at a garment and saying: “You are worthy of the time it takes to make you strong again.” Truly, once we started contemplating these principles, the focus of our work was never the same.
A Vocabulary of Sashiko Blueprints
Stitching Sashiko is the next logical evolution of our sashiko journey. We didn’t want a book of pretty pictures that stays on a shelf. We wanted a field guide with a wide vocabulary of stitches that folx could use as a grab-and-go reference ready for any purpose from garments, to home décor, to textile art. No limits and quick and easy to use!
Stitching Sashiko has 40+ sashiko stitch patterns including classics from our first sashiko book, Boro & Sashiko: Harmonious Imperfection, plus 10 brand-new patterns that we love using in our own sashiko practice. These aren’t just charts, they are blueprints. Each stitch serves a purpose, whether it’s the dense, interlocking strength of a traditional grid or the more fluid, expressive movement of a decorative enhancement. Because Stitching Sashiko stays flat on your lap or table, you can follow the blueprints stitch-by-stitch and focus on the joy of the stitch without fidgeting with a book that won’t stay put. Y’all know what we mean.
The Science of the Glide
Of course, a textile architect (that’s us… and you!) is only as good as their materials. People ask us why we are so specific about using Aurifil 12wt thread. It’s simple: respect for the textile.
When you are reclaiming a piece of denim, or a linen, or lightweight cotton you need a thread that glides through the fibers without creating friction. Aurifil’s 2-ply, extra-long-staple cotton is mercerized to be as smooth as it is strong. It doesn’t snag or pull as the thread moves through the fabric and it “nests” into the weave of the fabric rather than sitting as a separate structure on top of it. The result is a structural bond that makes the fabric even better than it originally was. Plus, bonus points for style. We have tried a LOT of different thread on the different fabrics we work with (ALL THE FABRICS!!). From linen to quilting cotton, silk to Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric, Aurifil blends in beautifully and just looks dingity-dang good. Period. But you all knew that already… didn’t you? Yeah, you did.
Shannon & Jason’s Pro-Tip: Give it Room to Breathe
The biggest “architectural” mistake we see in our sashiko classes is over-tensioning. We all do it (us included!). If you pull your Sashiko thread too tight, the fabric will pucker. And nobody needs a pucker.
Our Not-So-Secret Secret: Always leave a small “lead loop” (about 1/4″) on the back of the fabric at every turn in your pattern. This “architectural lead” allows the fabric and the thread to move and stretch together. Remember, a building that can’t sway in the wind is a house that cracks… or something architectural sounding like that. Basically, there has to be room to move with nature. The same goes for your sashiko stitches. Let the fabric breathe and flex and your creations will last a lifetime. At least!
An Invitation to Reclaim
We are currently in a cultural shift. Yes, there is a lot of that going on right now but we are speaking specifically about moving away from the “buy-and-toss” mentality and toward a future where our clothes and textiles have stories, history, and scars. Where we cherish and share those stories, remember the histories, and observe the scars with respect. We treat the materials with the dignity and respect they deserve rather than casting them aside at the first signs of age and wear or just our own boredom. We invite you to join this shift toward reclaiming our textiles. Grab your needle, pick a spool of 12wt that speaks to you, and open your copy of Stitching Sashiko.
Don’t just fix your clothes. Reclaim and revive them! And…
STITCH ON!
S&J
Ready to start your own sashiko journey? You can find your copy of Stitching Sashiko on our website. We’ve put together a dedicated page where you can see more photos of sashiko in action and catch a video preview of the book.
And be sure to find us on social media at:
INSTAGRAM (@embracethecreativechaos) & FACEBOOK (/embracethecreativechaos)