As we transition into the cooler months here in Australia, we remain fortunate to spend a great deal of time outdoors — which means sun protection is still very much a priority. A hat is an essential accessory, and what better way to elevate a classic style of hat than by incorporating the timeless art of sashiko stitching?
This project pairs the beautiful Scattered Squares Sashiko Panel with a simple bucket hat pattern, using a lightweight denim for the lining to create a reversible, handcrafted piece you'll reach for again and again.
Step 1: Download the Pattern
Visit Waves & Wild and download the Sandcastle Bucket Hat pattern — a free resource available in sizes ranging from newborn through to XL adult. Follow the included instructions to measure and print the correct size for your hat.
Step 2: Cut the Fabric
Lay the pattern pieces over your unstitched sashiko panel, positioning them to highlight your preferred areas of the design. Because this hat is reversible, the sashiko panel forms the outer layer and I used a lightweight denim as the lining. Check your stash for a lining fabric!
Cut out each pattern piece with an additional ½" seam allowance on all sides. This extra margin accounts for the slight shrinkage and fabric shift that naturally occurs during sashiko stitching.
Step 3: Complete the Sashiko Stitching
Stitch each sashiko piece using your preferred thread colours or timeless white or ecru. Once complete, press the panels lightly on the wrong side using a warm iron — no steam — to set the stitching without distorting the fabric.
Step 4: Assemble the Hat
Return the pattern pieces to the completed sashiko panels and trim each piece to its final size. Machine stitch approximately ⅛" from the cut edge using a straight stitch to secure the sashiko threads in place. Cut the lining and interfacing pieces as directed in the pattern instructions, then follow the pattern to complete your sashiko bucket hat.
The result is a wearable piece of textile art — functional, reversible, and entirely your own.
This multi size pattern is a great way to use some novelty stash fabric - i've made several versions ranging from babies sizes to school age. They are all very well loved and have been washed and worn many times.
We're back with more stash-busting fun! 🎉 This week, we're sharing one of our favourite quick projects — a zippered pouch that's perfect for using up those beautiful fabric scraps you've been saving.
We've been working with the Sew Sweetness Persimmon Dumpling Pouch — a gorgeous free pattern — and of course, we couldn't resist adding a little Indigo Niche twist!
This is such a wonderful way to give those precious last pieces of your favourite fabrics a beautiful new life. We just love how every pouch turns out completely unique!
We made the largest size in the pattern. I had some continuous zipper tape in my stash and added 2 zipper pulls — but please use whatever you have on hand in your sewing supplies, that's the whole spirit of stash busting!
Start by tracing the pattern shape onto your 2 boro base fabric pieces, but hold off on cutting them out just yet. Layer your boro fabrics so they extend about 1" outside the drawn line, then stitch them in place. That extra overlap is really important — the stitched section can pull in a little, so you want that buffer!
Once your boro work is done, use the pattern to trim everything to size and shape, then follow the pattern instructions to finish your pouch. I used a fusible foam stabilizer in mine and honestly, I'm obsessed with the lovely structure it gives the finished bag.
I got so excited that I decided to stitch another version! This time, I'll be adding a solid fabric panel along the lower edge of the bag. To do this, I traced the pattern outline onto the boro base fabric and drew a line about 1" above the corner cutouts — this becomes the stitching line for attaching the fabric panel.
Here you can see the boro fabrics pinned in place and ready to stitch. I'll machine stitch the plain fabric panel along the drawn line, press it nicely, then cut the bag panels to size and stitch everything together following the pattern. So satisfying!
These pouches are so quick and enjoyable to make that I just had to try a smaller version too! This one uses a plain fabric with our beautiful sashiko stencils — and it turned out so pretty.
This is a fantastic way to enjoy your sashiko stitching without committing to a big project — perfect if you want a lovely result in a quick to stitch project!
To make the sashiko stitching easier, I printed extra copies of the pattern piece and taped them together, removing the seam allowance at the base of the bag. I then traced the complete outer bag shape onto my base fabric and marked the horizontal and vertical centre of the pattern piece — these markings made it so easy to centre the sashiko design perfectly.
Marking the sashiko design was a breeze on the cream fabric using our newly redesigned templates and a water soluble marker — they really do make the whole process so much smoother!
This is also a brilliant way to use up those solid coloured fabrics sitting in your stash. Try coordinating your thread colour with the zipper for a polished look, or use this as a chance to finish off threads left over from other projects. Happy stitching! 🧵
It's time to start stitching that stash of fabric hiding in your cupboards. The SSS (Simply Sashiko and Squares) Quilt is the perfect place to start. Simple construction with accents of beautiful but easily stitched blocks of sashiko.
Perfect for all skill levels.
Hana fukin (花ふきん), translates to "flower cloth" or "kitchen cloth" in Japanese. There isn't a comparable word in english for a generic "useful household cloth".
Grab your 10" pre-cut fabric pack, add two of our Traditions Panels and some sashiko thread and you have all the supplies you need to create a quick, timeless quilt top.
Pre-Cut Fabric Packs (also known as Layer Cakes) typically include 42 squares each 10" x 10", all from a single fabric collection, so you can skip the hassle of matching fabrics. Of course, you can cut squares from any patchwork fabric you have on hand.
You will need a total of 168 squares of fabric each measuring 5" x 5" (4 1/2" x 4 1/2" finished) and 24 small sashiko squares also measuring 5" x 5" (4 1/2" x 4 1/2" finished).
Finished quilt top measures 54" x 72".
Get your step by step instructions here.
