One of the things I love most about Zero and Zen is witnessing the incredible diversity of creative expressions. There’s something magical about Zero Waste pattern maker, Liz Haywood’s modular jacket pattern—its versatility opens up endless possibilities, allowing each participant to put their own personal touch on the design. From fabric choice to stitch placement, everyone brings their unique vision to life, and no two jackets ever look the same.
Adding Sashiko-inspired stitching and embellishments elevates each jacket even further, turning a simple pattern into a true piece of wearable art. Sashiko, with its rich history of hand-stitched geometric designs, not only adds visual depth but also allows for a meditative experience that connects us to this time-honored tradition. Each stitch becomes a way to infuse personality and meaning into the garment, making it a beautiful reflection of the wearer.
We've just wrapped up another year of the program and seeing the finished jackets from our talented Zero and Zen members is truly inspiring. Their creativity, skill, and dedication come through in each unique piece. Here are just a few examples of the stunning jackets they’ve brought to life—each one a testament to the power of mindful stitching and the beauty of individuality in our Zen stitching community!
Here are some of the finished jackets from our talented Zero and Zen members over the years!
Upcycled Denim by Joo Cho
I just adore how Joo Cho used upcycled denim for their jacket - two pairs of jeans, a pair of shorts, and part of a skirt for the collar! Joo chose to leave the bottom hem raw, embracing the shapes of the deconstructed garments. I think the curves of that edge tie in so nicely to the swirls and circles in the stitching - so beautiful!
Sweet Stitching by Claire Cleary
Claire is an active member of Zen Stitching and it's always a treat to see her work! Claire also opted to upcycle denim for her jacket, using old jeans from family, friends, and second hand stores. She has used the knowledge she's gathered in the Sashiko Stitch Club to embellish her jacket with gorgeous stitches, and added her own flair throughout - truly a one-of-a-kind piece!
Patchwork Lining by Marie Eaton-Smith
I am a big believer in using what you have, so seeing this lining on Marie's jacket brings me so much joy. She didn't have enough of any one fabric to line her jacket, so rather than buying more, Marie pieced together what she had, I and just love the result! Having it hidden in the lining makes it feel like a special secret. And...
I simply must take a moment to appreciate the pattern matching on the outer pockets. Fantastic!
And then of course, there are the three amazing versions that Liz Haywood has created, each one uniquely individual despite being made from the same pattern. I find the fabric guides and inspires the sashiko stitching that is then added after the garment is made.
Liz inspired me to create another version too, its something Ive been working on for the past year, and Im very close to finishing it. I just need to finish the sleeves and the hem.
In true form the jacket is a hodgepodge of materials, as I was making it with the mantra 'use what I have' and I shopped my stash. The inside consists of vintage kimono fabric (brown silk), a reimagined art piece (the zen circle), and a pair of upcycled trouser legs for the inside lining of the sleeves.
The outside is navy linen that was also languishing in my cupboard. Its really nice to be using all these things rather than having them taking up space in cupboards, unused and unloved.
I kept the sashiko-inspired stitching to a minimum on this jacket, with the focus on the chrysanthemum (kiku) pattern which is also used to tie the jacket together. This was inspired by the way this pattern is often found on the corners of Furoshiki (wrapping cloths) as a way of strengthening and reinforcing the fabric at the corners. According to Project-Japan, the chrysanthemum is representative of longevity and this motif is used for the crest of the imperial family. It also represents the resplendence of “rangiku”, whichexpresses a delicate and aesthetic feeling of petals flowing in the wind.
Above is an example of Cotton furoshiki ι’¨εζ· (wrapping cloth) with sashiko εΊγε (traditional hand stitching or quilting used as reinforcement and decoration). Cotton dyed with Indigo from the Meiji Era (1868-1912). 52.5" x 47" (length, width). Image courtesy of Shibui.com.
Have you created a jacket through the Zero and Zen course? I would love to see your photos - do tag me @zenstitching and Liz @lizhaywood3754 on Instagram so we can admire your work!
