Sashiko 刺し子 Japanese stitching patterns, stitch by stitch

Stitch sashiko. One stitch at a time.

All 47 patterns in the app are animated stitch by stitch: line by line, in the order you stitch them on the fabric. In your colours, and as templates to print in five sizes.

47 patterns, all animatedFor iPhoneNo adsNo account14 languages

All animated

47 patterns, each animated stitch by stitch.

Stitching on screen is fun: pick a pattern, shuffle the colours, tap start and watch the pattern grow line by line. It's relaxing even with no fabric at hand, and shows you the stitching order along the way.

Three speeds, from leisurely to brisk
Pause and resume at any time
Chalk lines to show or hide
A little burst of stars when the pattern is done

Colours

Your fabric, your thread

Choose fabric and thread from traditional shades such as Indigo, Shibui Red and Unbleached. Every pattern looks new in other colours.

**Asa-No-Ha** 麻の葉Japan Indigo fabric · Oat Milk thread

**Seigaiha** 青海波Unbleached fabric · Indigo thread

**Juji-Tsunagi** 十字つなぎShibui Red fabric · White thread

**Shippō-Tsunagi** 七宝つなぎPine fabric · Marigold thread

**Kagome** 籠目Sumi fabric · Persimmon thread

**Sayagata** 紗綾形Ecru fabric · Sumi thread

**Kamon** 家紋Oxford Blue fabric · Sky Blue thread

**Yabane** 矢羽根Burgundy fabric · Dusty Pink thread

9 fabric colours11 thread colours60 combinations where the thread stands outShuffle for new ideasOne set of colours for all patterns, or one per pattern

Template

Print in five sizes

The print sheet shows the pattern at its real size. You choose the stitch size in five steps, from half to double size, and the grid size follows.

Five stitch sizes: 0.5×, 0.75×, 1×, 1.5× and 2×
A4 or Letter
Grid size in centimetres on every sheet
5 cm check ruler to make sure the print is right
Print directly or save as PDF

How it works

From screen to fabric

1 Choose a pattern
Pick a pattern, then fabric and thread.
2 Watch
Burgundy with Dusty Pink, a lovely pair. The animation shows the order to stitch in.
3 Print the template
In one of five sizes, on paper or water-soluble stabiliser.
4 Stitch
Stick on the stabiliser, or trace the paper print with transfer paper, then start stitching.
5 Done
Shoulders and back full of waves, stitched by hand.

Sashiko 刺し子

Small stitches, long history

Sashiko is a Japanese embroidery technique made of simple running stitches. In the Edo period it was used to reinforce and mend clothing, traditionally with light cotton thread on indigo fabric.

Many patterns carry a meaning in their name. The texts in the app were checked against Japanese sources; anything that couldn't be backed up was left out.

Asa-No-Ha麻の葉

Star-shaped figures in a hexagon grid recall hemp leaves. Hemp grows strong and straight without much care, so the pattern wishes for healthy growth and often decorates kimonos for babies and children.

Seigaiha青海波

Fan-shaped waves depict the wide sea and continue endlessly. They wish for lasting happiness and a peaceful life.

Just stitching, no strings attached.

No subscription, no ads, no account. Sashiko collects no data and works offline too.

No subscriptionNo adsNo accountNo data collectionWorks offline