Discover the timeless beauty of Boro, an ancient Japanese mending tradition. Explore the basics: purposefully layered fabrics, with visible mending stitches that tell a story. Turn your scraps and worn textiles into a useful, meaningful whole and leave with the start of a personal Boro project rich in character, texture and handmade charm.

All skill levels are welcome

SUGGESTED PROJECT SIZE: 12”-16” square or rectangle

SUPPLY LIST:

• Approx. ½ yard total fabric ​ ​
• 1 fat qtr. pre-washed muslin or other foundation fabric ​
• Worn distressed cotton linen and/or hemp fabrics: indigo-dyed, brown, grey other medium-dark colors. Include naturally frayed light-weight denim, used chambray, old tea towels, etc. (Include old t-shirts for modern twist?)
• If necessary, add holes and pull treads around the edges, rip along “seam allowance” lines, and distress fabrics by rubbing with sandpaper. (Or, let the dog chew on them!) Fade by exposing fabrics to direct sunlight for as long as possible. If dyeing fabrics, vary the color from light to medium-dark in the same dye bath.
• Scissors ​Sharp needle with eye big enough for perle cotton
• Thread ​
• Pins
• ​Small trash bag

OPTIONAL FABRIC SET: Japanese indigo-dyed cotton, about 14”x18” total. (To mix with your own fabric scraps and foundation fabric, as listed above.) $20.00. NOTIONS: 1 or more skeins of DMC Perle cotton—indigo blue, medium brown, and/or grey. ​(NOTE: Actual boro re-used thread removed from seams in ragged garments or ​futon covers. Generally much coarser and thicker than machine thread.)

NOTE: There is no pattern for boro. Larger pieces are sewn together in the most economical way possible, regardless of color. Smaller pieces are placed over or under the holes, rips and worn areas to repair them. The class project could be finished as a tote bag or incorporated in a larger project.