Carol Anne Grotrian                                                                                          back to Workshops   

BORO WORKSHOP (1-2 DAYS)

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Slow Stitch Inspiration: Japanese Boro

 

If you love the idea of slow stitching, come experience an artful Japanese tradition of hand sewing. Boro is a tradition of patching and mending, born of a need to revive worn, once precious, textiles. Scraps are layered and “mended” into a new fabric. Simple running stitches and sashiko thread create patterns that are elegant and complex. Because boro is often densely hand-stitched, it has been called “country sashiko.” Bring a variety of fabrics..commercial prints, hand-dyes, etc., and perhaps some with prints that have been difficult to use. 

 

You can opt to use one of three patterns for small projects that I’ll bring to inspire you to experiment with boro. This is the Japanese tradition of mending that uses simple energetic stitches to create “new” fabric out of leftovers. Patterns will include 1) a cloth name tag, 2) a small fabric sampler book, and 3) a komebukaro or rice bag. Another option is bringing something that needs mending.

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I’ll bring needles and sashiko thread for stitching in lots of colors.

 

Fabric: (all needs to be easy to needle. Test batiks and decorator fabrics before class.)

-Foundation, binding & lining fabrics: a couple of 1/4 yds (not fat quarters), color & pattern your choice

-Scraps: various sizes, solids, prints (can be hard to use ones), ALL needle friendly.

 

NOTE: The name tag also needs a small scrap of very light batting or flannel and a length of gross grain ribbon, long enough to hang the name tag around your neck.

 

Other tools:

-scissors

-thimble (highly recommended: Clover Protect and Grip, Medium)

-a pliers or grippers (sometimes needed to pull thread through layers)​

 

Materials Fee: $3.
 

 

06/2026