about


this blog discusses using the promotion of upcycling and recycling - specifically employing the Japanese technique of Sashiko stitching - within community arts to enhance wellbeing.


the history of Sashiko will also be discussed along with contemporary works


this project is part of my art practice masters degree, as part of the project i will be exploring visible mending using the simple running stitch inspired by Sashiko works. this project will involve fixing items of clothing that people i do know and people i do not know have entrusted me with. the items will be damaged in some way and i will mend the garment making a feature of the damage. i will then post the item back to the owner after photo documenting its progression.

this project is open to anyone if you are interested please do get in touch and email me:
helensarahvaughan@googlemail.com

part of my project is also holding workshops in the community using the promotion of upcycling - specifically employing the Japanese technique of Sashiko stitching - within community arts to enhance wellbeing- and to increase awareness of the process of upcycling giving people the skills and knowledge of a way in which upcycling can be achieved and appreciated.  The workshops outline the history of Sashiko - a traditional Japanese stitch.  Participants employ this technique in a decorative manner to an item of their clothing that they have bought to the workshop that is either damaged or stained. The process involves the upcycling of an item and involves learning a new skill and the history of that skill, which was born out of necessity. The aim of the project is to enhance peoples’ interest and awareness in the process of upcycling and sustainable arts and clothing using an item that they may have previously deemed useless; instead of dismissing the garment - as is often the case in the present modern throwaway society – they will fix the item, making it wearable again but also making an individual item that is unique to the owner and also giving the individual a feeling of achievement and skill, likely increasing their sense of wellbeing because they have made something but have additionally contributed to the important issue of sustainability.


...the idea that used garments can be reused, either reinforced or transformed, and are worthy of a new life with the aid of a running stitch and a bit of time



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