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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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A close-up photo of red poppies with superimposed text that reads Plastic-Free Poppies for Remembrance Day. www.zenstitching.ca
Plastic-Free Poppies for Remembrance Day diy low- and zero-waste stitching Nov 01, 2023

You may be familiar with the popular tradition of wearing a poppy pin leading up...

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Mending and Sustainability Reading list
Reading list: mending, upcycling, and sustainability low- and zero-waste reading Feb 02, 2023

It's no secret that sustainability, upcycling, and mending are important to me. ...

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Sashiko stitched denim pouch
Low- and zero-waste sashiko gift ideas low- and zero-waste slow living Dec 03, 2022

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 

December is upon us, and many of us ...

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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 The Ultimate Guide to Sashiko - 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.