When I set out to make my first Haori, I did it with plain white cotton. I wanted to understand the construction. I found it so beautifully easy to sew and the result was so pleasing and practical, I wanted to wear it. But a completely white haori looked too much like a doctor’s coat, so I decided to add patch pockets and embroider them with a very simple Japanese embroidery technique called sashiko.
Sashiko doesn’t require much specialised equipment. It’s done without an embroidery hoop, but it helps to draw a grid onto the fabric. The thread used is nice and thick, as are the needles. I later learned that there are whole communities of sashiko fans out there, and there are many traditional patterns available on the web for free.
Here are a few resources if the idea of trying some sashiko appeals to you:
- A very detailed introductory tutorial by Susan Briscoe
- Sashiko For Beginners by Xiao Xiao
- Free downloadable sashiko patterns from Spruce Craft.