About this episode

Atsushi Futatsuya discusses the multifaceted practice of sashiko, exploring its history and significance beyond visible mending.

Most of us think of sashiko as a type of visible mending that we discovered via Instagram or Pinterest. But what actually is sashiko, and how should we engage with it? Is it an artform to be revered and put on display? A common household practice borne out of necessity, used for survival? Is it a form of meditation? Or some lovely hand stitching patterns we can emulate to fix and customise our jeans? Atsushi Futatsuya, is a sashiko practitioner and story teller who helps fill in the blanks in our knowledge about this fascinating and multilayered practice.  Support the podcast over on Patreon! Photo by Kim Lightbody. Atsushi Futatsuya has a website and can be followed on Instagram @sashikostory.  You can also watch his videos on YouTube.  There are three ways to take a class with Atsushi: In-person in the US. Online as a mix of recorded and live sessions. Recorded online introductory course via Domestika. Check out where to order Atsushi’s new book, ‘Sashiko: The Untold Story’, around the world. 

People in this episode

Host: Zoe Edwards

Guest: Atsushi Futatsuya

Topics covered

• sashiko
• visible mending
• hand stitching
• artform
• meditation
• crafting

Keywords

• sashiko
• mending
• hand stitching
• craft
• Atsushi Futatsuya
• sustainable sewing
• artform

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Domestika, Instagram, YouTube

Books & works: Sashiko: The Untold Story

More episodes of Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably

• #228: Crafting with Neurodivergence with Kim Witten · June 8, 2026 · 50 min
• #227: Threading Change – Kat Camfield with Sophia Yang · May 26, 2026 · 60 min
• #225: Destashing Online with Caroline from Destasher · May 11, 2026 · 44 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Check Your Thread: Sewing More Sustainably podcast page.