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A photo of jeans that have been repaired many times hanging on a clothesline outside. The bottom reads
Secondhand September low- and zero-waste slow living upcycling Sep 15, 2025

When we think about fashion, it’s easy to get caught up in trends, new collectio...

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A series of close-up shots of handmade, hand-stitched shirts with the names of the makers across the top: Maria Rebelo, Jean Kennedy Hubler, Claire Cleary, Gail Chang, Deborah Daniel. There is a navy blue bar across the bottom that reads
The One Yard Minimalist Top collaborations low- and zero-waste stitching Jul 15, 2025

 with KZ Stevens & the Sashiko Stitch Club

Few things make my heart sing like g...

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A white woman's hands rest on a newly-patched pair of jeans, mended using Sashiko. A bar across the bottom reads
Sashiko Tutorial: Mending with Koshi-Zashi diy low- and zero-waste repair stitching tutorials Apr 14, 2025

As Earth Day approaches, many of us are thinking about how we can reduce waste, ...

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A zoomed-in image of a pair of blue jeans that shows a dark denim patch with rows of pink stitching behind it and stitched crosses on top. The bottom reads
Sashiko-Inspired Mending with Jujizashi diy low- and zero-waste stitching tutorials Mar 15, 2025

Mending is more than extending the life of our clothing—it’s an act of care, sus...

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A teal teapot sits on a beautifully embroidered cloth which showcases four Sashiko stitching patterns.
Exploring Hana Fukin: Traditional Japanese Embroidered Cloths japanese history low- and zero-waste stitching Jan 15, 2025

Imagine a single cloth that weaves together tradition, beauty, and functionality...

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Kate, a smiling blond, white woman, holds up a gift bag embroidered with red designs reminiscent of snowflakes. The bag is made from an old, off-white/grey shirt.
DIY: Make a Reusable Gift Bag from an Upcycled Shirt diy low- and zero-waste stitching tutorials upcycling Dec 15, 2024

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of giving. I love makin...

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The Craft of Clothes meets Zen Stitching for Zero and Zen
Recap: Zero and Zen 2024 collaborations low- and zero-waste stitching upcycling Nov 01, 2024

One of the things I love most about Zero and Zen is witnessing the incredible di...

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A white woman's hands show a subtle mend on an old Japanese garment. The bottom reads
Use It or Lose It: The Role of Repair low- and zero-waste repair slow living upcycling Aug 01, 2024

I believe that one of the best ways we can fearlessly use our things is by learn...

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A pair of black scissors lays on a teal piece of fabric. There are bobbins of colour embroidered floss in the lower right corner. There is text superimposed that says
Sashiko Tools: Black Masamune Tailor's Shears low- and zero-waste stitching tools Jul 01, 2024

Disclaimer: This blog post was written in collaboration with Shokunin Store, a s...

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In the foreground, a woman is shown from the waist down. She wears mended jeans and holds a shopping bag made from an old button-down shirt. In the background are the well-stocked shelves of a supermarket.
How to Shop Mindfully: A Guide to Conscious Consumption low- and zero-waste slow living Apr 15, 2024

Making an effort to live more sustainably can sometimes feel like an uphill batt...

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a white woman's hands mend a pair of blue jeans using a traditional Japanese method called Sashiko
Sashiko and Sustainability: The Art of Visible Mending low- and zero-waste slow living stitching upcycling Apr 01, 2024

Sashiko is not a new practice - in fact, it's quite the opposite! Hundreds of ye...

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A close up image of an evergreen tree branch or holiday greenery. There is text overlaid that says
5 Ways to Reduce Waste for the Holidays diy low- and zero-waste Dec 01, 2023

The holidays are rapidly approaching, and I am always looking for more ways that...

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Author

Kate Ward

Hi, I'm Kate! I love travelling and the esoteric. Zen Stitching is a combination of my passions: living a meaningful life, taking care of the planet, and textile arts.

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Sign up for our email newsletter to get your free copy of Sashiko Essentials: From First Stitch to Mastery - the guide I wish I had when I started stitching. Learn to select the tools for your project and get set up to create perfect patches and embellishments on your clothing, using the ancient art of Japanese mending.