Sashiko Visible Mending Workshop: Turn Repair into Design

What if the repair became the best part?

Join us for a beginner-friendly introduction to Sashiko, the Japanese tradition of visible mending, brought to you as a collaboration between SnailBlazer and The Swapshop LAB. You'll learn simple stitching techniques, explore the story behind this beautiful repair tradition, and create your own decorative patch from reclaimed fabric, ready to give a worn garment a second life.

Turn a little damage into a little design 🪡

What if that hole in your favourite jeans didn't have to mean goodbye?

In this 1.5-hour hands-on workshop, you'll step into the world of Sashiko, a traditional Japanese stitching technique historically used to reinforce and repair textiles. Rather than hiding the repair, Sashiko makes it visible, turning mending into part of the garment's character.

You'll learn the basics of Sashiko stitching and create your own decorative repair patch using reclaimed fabric. Take it home and use it to repair a pair of jeans, jacket, shirt, bag, or another beloved piece when you're ready.

What you'll experience

🪡 Learn the history and symbolic meaning of Sashiko

🧵 Practice on reclaimed fabric using Sashiko patterns

🎨 Create your own Sashiko repair patch

♻️ Learn how to use your patch to give a worn garment a second life

☕ Slow down, make something with your hands, and meet fellow curious makers

No sewing experience required. If you've never picked up a needle before, you're very welcome.

All necessary workshop materials and tools are provided, including:

Sashiko needles

Sashiko thread

Patterns

Fabric markers

Reclaimed scrap fabric for your repair patch

What you need to bring:

A curious mind. That's it. 😊

You are welcome to bring a garment you'd eventually like to repair for inspiration, but you won't need to repair your garment during the workshop. You'll create the Sashiko patch during the session and learn how to use it on your own garment afterwards.

Beginner friendly • English • Maximum 12 participants

Tickets:

Swapshop customers (Early Birds): 2 tickets at €25 + 10 swaps (swaps are paid on site to The Swapshop)
Swapshop customers (General): €30 + 5 swaps (swaps are paid on site to The Swapshop)
General admission: €35