Continuing the mending theme, I want to share two books I recently acquired. There are other books on mending but I’ve only purchased two. Today I’ll review a book about sashiko stitching and next week on mending book with a wider focus.

Jessica Marquez’s book, Make and Mend, covers the art of Japanese sashiko stitching. Sashiko is a straight running stitch that is usually sewn in geometric patterns. The first part of the book discusses the technique, tools and thread and then has a variety of new projects that can be made. The projects run from a simple sachet to a really great market tote bag (see the back cover below for a glimpse of the tote).

The second part of the book is about mending. Techniques include patching jeans, darning using a pattern of stitches, applique and three ways to change a hem.

Finally, at the end of the book, there is a great collection of 20 sashiko pattern samplers with instructions on how to stitch the patterns.

This is a beautiful book. It’s the sort of book that makes book lovers sigh with contentment. Just holding it makes me happy!

If you want to learn sashiko stitching, or if you are a perfectionist and want your mending to be truly beautiful as well as functional, this this the book you should get!

As much as I love this book, I’m not a perfectionist. Next week I’ll review a book that is closer to my style—have fun, do it well, and get it done!