Sashiko Mending Immersive

Discover the art of Sashiko during this 7-day immersive. Traditional Japanese stitching meets the philosophy of mindful mending—highlighting the beauty, heritage, and storytelling of repair.

WHY SASHIKO

In a world of fast fashion, this immersive invites you to rediscover the beauty of time-worn textiles. Through Sashiko, you'll learn to mend and transform fabric, creating pieces that are rich in history and character.

Partnering with Sashiko Lab, we bring their expertise in traditional techniques to ensure you gain not just hands-on skills but also a deeper understanding of Sashiko’s cultural significance.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

A 7-day program designed to immerse you in the foundations of Sashiko stitching and its role in fabric mending.

More than just a technique, Sashiko is a philosophy—a mindful practice rooted in sustainability, repair, and the beauty of imperfection. Through expert guidance, you'll gain not only hands-on stitching skills but also a deep understanding of the tools, materials, cultural and historical context that make Sashiko a timeless art.

Dates: May 30 - June 5 2025
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Early bird fee 2800 USD by Mar 31
Standard fee 2950 USD

Our Sashiko Immersion in May/June 2025 is now full but we are planning to host more in the future. To join the waitlist please email us and let us know what draws you to Sashiko and what you're hoping to gain from the experience. You will be the first to get notified about the future program dates.

JOIN WAITLIST

Day 1
5 WAYS OF MENDING

We will start your week with a shared lunch before diving into five traditional Japanese mending methods in the afternoon. You'll apply these techniques to restore vintage indigo fabric, embracing the beauty of imperfection and the art of sustainable repair.
DAY 2
BORO AND SASHIKO

Explore the history, philosophy, and cultural significance of Boro and Sashiko in our 2h morning lecture. In the afternoon, put theory into practice with a hands-on 2-hour workshop, where you'll learn the intricate Hitomezashi Sashiko method—a structured, grid-based stitching technique that creates stunning geometric patterns while reinforcing fabric.
DAY 3
Vintage Market & INDIGO DYEING

Begin your morning exploring the vintage market at Toji, where you'll uncover unique textiles and inspiration for your craft. After a delicious group lunch, we’ll head to a beautiful indigo dyeing workshop, where you'll learn the art of natural dyeing and prepare your own hand-dyed yarn—perfect for the sashiko stitching sessions to follow.
Day 4
Moyozashi

Enjoy a morning of free time to unwind or explore at your own pace. We’ll come together for a group lunch before diving into an afternoon workshop on the Moyozashi Sashiko method, where you'll learn its flowing, continuous stitch patterns that blend beauty with functionality.
DAY 5
Craft shopping

Start your day with a curated craft shopping tour, where you'll discover the finest tools, yarns, and materials to fuel your creativity. Enjoy insider access to select shops, including behind-the-scenes areas not usually open to the public. After a delicious group lunch, spend a relaxed afternoon exploring at your own pace or unwinding with your new finds.
DAY 6
STITCHING DAY

Spend the day applying everything you've learned, working on a provided vintage piece of fabric or a personal piece you’ve brought to mend. With Kazue’s guidance, refine your techniques, experiment with stitches, and bring your project to life at your own pace.
DAY 7

On the last day, you'll craft an Azuma Bukuro bag using beautifully patched fabric, bringing together the techniques you've learned. The rest of the day will be dedicated to working on your individual project, with Kazue there to offer guidance. This is a great opportunity to refine your skills and gain insights on how to continue your sashiko journey at home.

MEET YOUR TEACHER

Kazue’s sashiko journey began in New Zealand in 2017, where she moved with her husband and two young children. Initially practicing for enjoyment, she taught her first workshop in 2018, balancing classes with family life.

After returning to Kyoto in 2019, she began teaching sashiko to tourists and later led private art and craft tours. Meeting people from around the world, she built a thriving community—until the pandemic abruptly canceled all her bookings in early 2020.

Determined to continue, Kazue launched her first online classes in June 2020, starting with just five participants. Within a year, her workshops filled up consistently, and she has now taught nearly 500 students worldwide. Grateful for each encounter, she looks forward to sharing the beauty of sashiko with even more people.

What is included

WORKSHOP & LECTURES

The program includes 12 hours of sashiko education and hands-on time plus approximately 4 hours of free stitching time to practice, experiment, and refine your techniques.

You can bring your own pieces to mend or we can provide you with materials to work on .

Field trips

Field trips to provide deeper insight and context into the world of Sashiko

Vintage market visit
Indigo dyeing workshop
Craft shopping tour

Accomodation

Fully furnished private studio apartments inclusive of

workspace
kitchenette
toilet
bath/shower
washing machine
utilities
internet

Conveniently located 5min walk from Shichijo Station and the Kamo river. By public transport it takes 11min to Kyoto station, 13min to downtown Kyoto. To Sashiko.Lab it takes approx. 17min by public transport and 24min by walk.