Kids & Teens Sashiko & Upcycle Trial Workshop – 1.5 Hours
A short and creative taster workshop where kids and teens can try sashiko stitching and visible mending for the first time. In just 90 minutes, they’ll gain hands-on experience with a unique Japanese textile art, practice playful stitching patterns, and create a small piece to take home and proudly show off.
What They’ll Do
- Discover the history and meaning of sashiko and boro, traditional Japanese stitching and patching traditions now celebrated in sustainable fashion
- Learn how to safely thread and use a sashiko needle
- Practice stitching fun patterns (hearts, stars, geometric shapes) on a fabric square
- Option to add a patch using authentic kimono fabric scraps from Japan
- Take home their stitched sampler (or patch) plus a sashiko needle and thread to continue practicing at home
Details
- Time: 1.5 hours
- Ages: 7–17
- Group size: Max 8 participants (ensures plenty of 1-to-1 guidance)
- All tools and materials provided – sashiko needles, thread, fabric squares, kimono scraps
- Bring: Water bottle
What’s Included (Take-Home Value)
✅ 1.5 hours of guided teaching with a Japanese upcycle artist
✅ A stitched sampler or patch created in class
✅ Authentic kimono fabric scraps for patching
✅ Your own sashiko needle + thread to continue at home
✅ Inspiration, skills, and confidence to keep stitching
Why Join?
- A perfect introduction before committing to the full-day workshop in half-term
- Fun, hands-on, and beginner-friendly – no experience needed
- Develops fine motor skills, focus, patience, and creativity in a relaxed setting
- Inspires children interested in fashion, textiles, or art careers, offering a stylish introduction to a traditional yet trendy upcycling technique influencing designers worldwide
Led by Risa Sato, Japanese upcycle artist and founder of Obi, Kyoto, who brings authentic knowledge, passion, and personal guidance
🌐 theobikyoto.com
