Sashiko Stitching
Sashiko is a Japanese hand-sewing technique to create geometric patterns. I learned that the name translates to mean “little stabs”. I started my first Sashiko kit after my reconstruction surgery and it was a lonelier time for me. I felt like I was on my own sooner and given I was a “survivor” at that point in time I did not feel like I had the same outpouring of support as I did during my mastectomy. I am positive a lot of this was by my own doing, reassuring everyone that I was stronger than I was.
At the time, I thought that maybe a craft would uplift me. I wanted something I could do in my lap without too much arm movement given that I was back to my physical restrictions and pillow prison.
Each stitch that was not even and each stitched line that was not perfectly straight, seemed like tiny little stabs to my ego.
All of it was weighing heavy on me and I didn’t feel like crafting was bringing me the same peace or escape from my dark thoughts. I kept stitching, but eventually, I decided to stop. I had to put it away.
It’s okay to step back, rest, recover, and put things away. I feel like through a lot of this journey I have felt this inherent urge to keep pushing myself to stay positive and to continue fighting to find the light in this darkness.
However, I think sometimes I push myself so much that I forget to actually stop and sit in the darkness so that I am clear enough to find the light.
Just like I was accepting that I had to sit with all my feelings, I also accepted that I had to put the embroidery in the closet until I was clear enough to make my way back to it.
If you’d like to try your hand at your own Sashiko pattern, check out my local craft store Fancy Tiger Crafts and order one of their packages.