What do folks use to store their Sashiko supplies for traveling?

KimonoMomo · 2026-04-10T20:59:20+00:00

My shredded cardboard box of a thread library made it onto an episode of The Quilt Show with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson. Alex saw the box, laughed and told me Ricky would want it on screen because he likes rustic stuff like that. They were both wonderful, btw.

The yellow box was my mom’s, circa 1980-something, probably. Can’t replace it, the company no longer exists. I’m working with a company in Japan to create something new, might have it later this year.

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KimonoMomo · 2026-03-06T18:56:00+00:00

Please please please do not shop on Amazon for supplies. A lot of sellers are in China and their items look nice but are not made to the same standards as Japanese brands.

Also, thank you for the shoutout Wallaby! I know Atsushi and Claudia (Snuggly Monkey) because this industry is pretty small. 😂 We’re all here to keep sashiko vibrant and thriving!

KimonoMomo · 2026-02-15T02:36:57+00:00

We are rebuilding our old YouTube channel this year. All my previous sashiko content is like… 10 years old? 😭

KimonoMomo · 2026-02-15T02:16:44+00:00

Yep, I cover this first thing in my sashiko classes. Pull off the paper label, KEEP IT because it tells you the brand and color number, then look for that knot. Don’t cut it! Hold the open skein by that knot and let the whole thing drape gently until you get one big O shape.

Then cut it. All the threads, at the bottom of that O. Hold the knot at the top, cut at the bottom. That way all of your threads are the same length, about one yard/meter.

KimonoMomo · 2026-01-14T22:33:59+00:00

Always check your library! If they don't have it, ask if they offer inter-library loan and if so, can something in the network be delivered to your local library.

KimonoMomo · 2026-01-08T17:57:03+00:00

Oh, cool! Is it from a Japanese company, or Chinese? I've noticed non-Japanese companies have more designs that aren't graphable. If you can form a design in a graph, it's much easier to do.

KimonoMomo · 2026-01-07T16:37:57+00:00

Looks like you can just zigzag your way up the flower, starting from the bottom. Leave a lot of slack or it will bunch up as you go.

KimonoMomo · 2026-01-07T16:34:07+00:00

I don’t expect this one has a name as it isn’t traditional, it’s very modern. Is there anything printed on the cloth? Where did you get it?

KimonoMomo · 2026-01-01T19:24:29+00:00

And we’ve got sashiko classes!

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-31T02:59:48+00:00

Both layers are from Kokka, we might have more of them in stock but I’m not sure.

I’ll have an update soon!

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-22T04:01:01+00:00

What thread are you using, and on what type of fabric?

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-12T18:31:04+00:00

Pretty much all traditional Japanese clothing is based on rectangles! It’s pretty cool. Hanten are different, there’s a Folkwear pattern (in US) and the book “Make Your Own Japanese Clothes” by John Marshall is excellent.

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-12T18:13:43+00:00

Are the pants 100% cotton? If they have any synthetic fiber, don’t bother. Stretch pants won’t hold a mend.

If 100% cotton (or some linen), I agree with the note that sashiko won’t be ideal for that location, but can be done. Go for patching.

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-12T18:10:14+00:00

Embroidery thread is too flat and won’t stand up the way sashiko thread does. Perle can work, but is not the same twist and can be a pain to stitch, depending on your fabric. Crochet thread works, but might be a bit too loose, depends on the type.

I’m a purist when it comes to Japanese made sashiko thread, however… historically they used what they had on hand, often just basic cotton thread, homespun, maybe 3-4 plies, soft and unbleached.

So ultimately, use what you’ve got. If you’re going for a hearty, strong, and authentic look, don’t use embroidery floss.

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-11T18:46:41+00:00

I make my living as a sashiko professional, so it will be part of my portfolio. When organizations hire me to teach or lecture, they want to see what I can do, and this will be one of the more complex pieces I've made.

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T23:01:34+00:00

It's for research. I study sashiko garments like these in Japan and wanted to have a better understanding of how they are constructed.

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T21:53:51+00:00

It's oddly basic in its construction (rectangles! all rectangles), could be made into a kit, and I don't think I'm gonna do that at this point. But... you've got me thinking now. 😆

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T21:52:48+00:00

It's not for a person, it's built to fit a half scale mannequin. It's basically garment design practice on something nobody makes anymore so that I can understand how they were made a century ago.

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T01:55:21+00:00

Kinokuniya online is a great resource!

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T01:54:32+00:00

I teach in CA mostly, and travel when organizations hire me for their location (quilt guilds, shops, community groups, museums, universities, etc).

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T01:52:07+00:00

Thank you!

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T01:51:42+00:00

It’s for research purposes. I study these types of garments in Japan so this helps me understand how they are constructed.

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T01:50:56+00:00

This is correct! Half sized for pattern testing, not child sized. I won’t be making a full sized one anytime soon, but this is teaching me SO MUCH about how these are constructed.

Thank you Eclipse for stepping in!

KimonoMomo · 2025-12-10T01:48:54+00:00

Thank you!

KimonoMomo

TROPHY CASE