How dense should sashiko repair stitching be?
More stitches do not automatically make a repair stronger. Density should support the cloth without turning the repaired area into a stiff island that moves differently from the garment around it.
In this article
Begin with the weakness, not the pattern
Inspect how far the cloth has thinned beyond the visible hole. A patch and stitches need to reach stable fabric so stress can spread rather than end at the old tear.
Use a simple grid or parallel rows when the repair needs broad support. Intricate detail can be added only if it does not prevent the patch from flexing.
Leave the fabric able to move
A dense surface may suit a small, stable patch but feel uncomfortable across a knee, elbow or pocket opening. Test the area by bending and wearing the garment before adding more rows.
If the edge of the repair feels hard, the answer may be a larger patch or lighter spacing rather than another layer of stitching.
Use the reverse as evidence
The reverse should show that the thread is sharing the load through the intended layers, not simply building a heavy nest around the hole. Look for skipped areas and tension changes.
Finish when the worn area feels supported and the cloth remains comfortable. Repair is a balance between reinforcement, movement and the life the garment will actually have.