Background
Last Thanksgiving I got myself a sewing machine. Since then I played with it a lot. I focused on making fabric bags and found some good channels on YouTube such as Ae PooiM. One day YouTube sent me a video about Sashiko and I was totally amazed by this type of needle work. So I started to do my research and learned a related term called Boro. After that I keep reading some books and doing some experiments with different type of fabric and stitches. Although Boro and Sashiko are often mentioned together as one phrase, but they are different. Here I want to summarize my understanding for Boro and Sashiko.
Basic concept
Boro
Short definition: Boro=Japanese patchwork.
It is an traditional Japanese mending technique. The original goal is to fix the hole or the weakened area on clothes so it can last longer. Later people find beauty in this type of fabric work. In my opinion, Boro is not exactly the same as quilt. A quilt work has continuous outline for each shape or each piece. Every piece come together on the same level. Boro has layers. Remember it is a mending technique, so the patch goes on top of each other or beneath each other wherever is needed. Therefore, Boro has non-continuous outline for each piece of fabric.
Example of Boro clothes,
Sashiko
Short definition: Sashiko=tiny running stitches.
It is the stitches that goes with Boro. When people are mending their clothes they use this particular type of stitches to make sure the patch is secure. Later this become an embroidery technique. Similar as cross stitch, a Sashiko embroidery work only has tiny running stitches. It often uses a grid to help with making various designs.
Examples of Sashiko work,
Two different styles
Although Boro and Sashiko are often mentioned together, but they have different focus. Boro focuses on fabric, the patchwork. Sashiko focuses on thread, the embroidery. Therefore, if you choose to focus on the fabric, the stitches can be really simple. Vice versa, if you choose to focus on the thread and design, the fabric can be really simple.
In order to compare these two different styles, I make two columns side by side. And will use jacket as example so you can get the feel.
Boro, raw and rustic
Sashiko, delicate and detailed
As you can see in above pictures, the Boro jackets tend to have a raw and rustic feeling. It is bold and vintage. But the stitches on the jackets feel more random and organic. On the other side, the Sashiko jackets are more delicate. With only simple indigo or denim fabric, all the work goes to pattern design and careful embroidery stitches, no patchwork.
Of course you can combine these two styles. But I think with the overwhelming patchwork of Boro, the tiny Sashiko stitches pattern won’t show up as significant as the simple solid fabric.
Books and materials I used
- The book of Boro
- The reason I like this book is it has the pattern for making a Japanese jacket called Hanten.
- The ultimate Sashiko card deck
- It is easy and simple to use. And you can carry it without extra load.
- Thread
- There are lots of Sashiko thread available online. But you can use all kinds of thread such as DMC or even yarn. It depends on the look you are going after. Is it bold and organic or thin and exquisite?
- Washable markers
- I used to buy the fabric marker with light blue color. But they are never juicy enough to last long. Then one day I decide to try my kids school supply, the washable markers and they totally win. Besides, I get to choose different colors for different fabric.
My DIY projects
Mending
I don’t know why my kids’ clothes always have holes. Even the brand new clothes they can have holes in several days. Then I have to fix it. Instead of hiding a patch, Boro and Sashiko mean to make the patch a statement. Here I tried two different ways. On the left picture, the patch goes underneath to create a contrast. I shape the whole into a heart shape by a little scissor. On the right picture, the patch goes on top of the hole. I simply use the running stitches to create a bunch of little cross all over it. And now these two pans are my kids’ favorite.
Bags
As I mentioned before I made lots of bags with my sewing machine. Therefore I have lots of scrap fabric. In the end I decide to put all these leftover fabric into one piece and use this one piece to make a bag. Once I sew scrap fabric pieces into one, I use the DMC thread to create some stitches as decorations. In this case, the stitches are really simple, no complicated patterns because the fabric is colorful enough.
The bag pattern can be found here.
Stuffed toys
When I get a little bored with making bags, I want to try stuffed toys. I made bears, bunnies and eggs. My inspiration comes from these two pictures.
Here are some of my finished products. The bear and bunny patterns are purchased via store Bear Pattern. The egg pattern is free from this webpage.
I have to say I really love the toys, especially the indigo blue one, even the blue egg is cute. ❤
Final thoughts
I am happy that I find out Boro and Sashiko in time. This type of fabric and needle work suits me well. I start to consider using these technique into my artwork. After all, the painting canvas is a canvas with gesso ground. If you remove the ground, it is simply a piece of fabric such as linen or cotton which you can stitch on.
Besides, I may have another section in my online store as “Handmade goodies”.
I hope you enjoy these works.