New York-Fou Gallery cordially invites you to our Sashiko Workshop: Plain Running Stitch Coaster, which will take place on July 13, 2024, from 3:30 - 6:00 PM. Led by Wenjue Lu & Chufeng Fang, participants will explore the art of Sashiko—a traditional Japanese sewing technique—through detailed demonstrations and hands-on practice. Experience the leisurely pace of hand stitching and admire the elegance of delicate textures while creating a 100% natural cotton coaster from scratch—drawing the pattern, cutting the fabric, and sewing it together. 

Sashiko 刺し子 is a traditional Japanese folk hand-stitching technique developed since the Edo period (1603-1868) in the North of Japan, started as a method used by working-class farming families. Women used to mend and strengthen damaged and old garments for men during the winter. Mending with sashiko was a necessary skill due to the complicated process of producing fabrics and the preciousness of clothes. It took several centuries for Sashiko to evolve from a frugal necessity to additional decorations. The purpose of Sashiko is to repair, mend, reinforce, and decorate. 

Another distinctive aspect of Sashiko lies in the ritualistic nature of its embroidery process. Begin by slowing down, maintaining patience, and trying to feel the movement of the needle. Rather than fixating too much on the size of each stitch, find your own stitching rhythm. Once you find your rhythm, you will naturally create even stitches. As muscle memory develops, the actions will become much more manageable. Smooth out the fabric regularly during stitching, emphasizing pulling the fabric rather than pushing the needle.

Workshop Outline:

• Introduction

   - Overview of Sashiko

   - Introduction to Sashiko tools: needle, thimble, and thread

   - Basic stitching movement practice

• Hands-On Practice

   - Practice stitching with the Sashiko needle and thread

• Coaster Creation

   - Drawing the Pattern 

   - Cutting the Fabric

   - Sashiko Stitching

   - Sewing the Coaster

    - Assistance with a sewing machine if needed.

• Outcome

- Learn Sashiko basics

- Hands-on sewing experience

- Enjoy DIY crafting

- Take home a handmade cotton coaster

• Materials

- All materials and tools provided by the studio

- Tools to be returned after the session

• Note

- No prior sewing experience is needed; assistance is available

Making the Sashiko fish, photo provided by Studio Wenjüe Lu.

Story of Studio Wenjüe Lu and the founders

Founded in 2020, Studio Wenjüe Lu ((www.wenjuelu.com) merges traditional and contemporary art forms. It combines soft sculpture and fiber art with poetry, using the natural beauty of uncolored fibers to prompt reflection and revive overlooked elements in today's fast-paced world.  Inspired by Taoist philosophy, by integrating authentic traditions from diverse communities, the studio preserves its unique historical and cultural significance while embracing modern artistic aesthetics driven by emotional expression. Spanning studio art, fashion, community activities, and cultural workshops, the studio defies categorization. The founders, Wenjue Lu from Beijing and Chufeng Fang from Jieyang, have backgrounds in fashion design, and media & culture. 

Wenjue Lu and Chufeng Fang have collaborated under "Studio Wenjüe Lu," exploring stillness, fragility, anxiety, and slowness in an accelerating world. Their works are showcased on platforms like Dover Street Market, Net-A-Porter, and their website. They emphasize the rediscovery of hand weaving and traditional crafts, honoring the natural qualities of cotton, silk, linen, and hemp fibers. They advocate for the enduring relationship between clothing and the body, crafting collections intended for longevity and eventual return to the earth.

Event Photos

Upocming