Sashiko - An ancient tradition of repair improves the contemporary relationship with clothingUniversity of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf

The book is a guide and tool to learning Sashiko, a traditional Japanese embroidery technique used for mending clothing. It explains the technique step by step, beginning with simple patterns and gradually progressing to more complex shapes, ultimately encouraging the reader to create their own designs. Sashiko is not just a method for repairing damaged clothes, but also reflects an appreciation of fabric as a durable and mendable material—an antidote to fast fashion. The book calls for action: to reconsider, repair, and value clothing. The cover serves as an immediate tool for the embroidery itself. It can be used as a stencil to apply a dotted grid onto the fabric, which forms the foundation for all Sashiko patterns. Sirio Color was the perfect choice for the cover, not only due to its high quality (combining a rigid structure with a smooth surface), but also because of its intense and vibrant dark blue, referencing the indigo-dyed fabrics traditionally used in this Japanese craft.