At the York Art Gallery...

I meant to write about this a while back because it was one of my first visits upon arriving in York...


The gallery was featuring a travelling exhibition of Japanese Sashiko textiles. I knew nothing about Sashiko but I love textiles and so was very interested in the items on display. Sashiko (I learnt) is a form of stitching used by the Japanese to make their work clothes until the mid 20th century. The exhibition featured historic items from Japanese collections as well as garments made by contemporary artists influenced by Sashiko. It was the historic items that fascinated me.


From an article by Michele Walker... 
http://www.sashiko.org.uk/publications.php

The word sashiko means small stitches. It is a technique used for hand sewing layers of cloth together. A geometric pattern of white stitching on indigo coloured ground distinguishes the work. Due to the low social status of the communities from which sashiko arose, the people’s lives were restricted by sumptuary laws that only permitted them to wear cotton clothing. The blue indigo dye was hardwearing and thought to repel snakes and insects. Sashiko evolved from a need to conserve and repair garments at a time when cloth was a precious commodity. Women from fishing and farming communities made sashiko at home.

In the older items you could see the layering of fabrics and the patching of garments using the sashiko technique. So they were both functional and incredibly beautiful.