In the times of pre-industrial Japan, fabric was scarce and so garments were mended for a longer life with patches, scraps, and simple stitches. A single garment could be mended many times over many generations, developing a storied history.
This is sashiko, and this type of mending was never meant to be invisible. Rather, it's meant to highlight the rips, tears, frays, and fringes of an individual garment with stitches in a contrasting thread. Sashiko translated means "little stabs," which perfectly describes the distinctive running stitch that defines the technique's style. In sashiko, it's the contours of the damage that dictate the repair and reinvent the garment into something better than before-a stronger fabric, a more beautified design.