Boro Workshop - Japanese inspired textile repair

Boro (more accurately ‘Boro boro’), meaning ‘rags or tatters’ is the art of repairing fabric using scraps and stitching. A source of shame in Japan for many years, the fabrics are now highly prized and can fetch significant sums. Boro is an old practice, pre dating the British wartime tradition of ‘make do and mend’, used out of necessity in Japan to prolong the life of clothes and bedding due to extreme poverty and the scarcity of textiles.

Your tutor is Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob's Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic vintage Japanese textiles to show in his classes.

In this class you will learn:

• The history and origins of Boro. Examples of vintage Boro and other Japanese textiles collected by the tutor in Japan will be shown and their background explained
• How to repair a garment using scraps, both modern and vintage
• How to use sashiko stitching to enhance your work
• Practice using visible repair to enhance and strengthen textiles
• Applique and reverse applique and a number of decorative stitching techniques will be shown
• A variety of types of Japanese stitches and their application will be presented, with examples on vintage Boro and the tutor’s own work:
• Nami-nui - running stitch
• Hongasesi-nui - backstitch
• Mimi-guke - edge stitch
• Maki-nui - whip stitch
• Chidori-gake - Herringbone stitch
• Hashigomatsuri - Ladder / slipstitch

It is recommended that students bring an item of clothing you wish to repair although fabric and threads are provided should you wish to just practice or start on a piece of your very own boro.

Rob will bring examples of historical 'Boro' pieces, a selection of his own interpretational examples as well as a number of reference books.

This class is a natural follow on class to the "Sashiko" morning workshop. We offer a discount when booking the full day!

Basic hand sewing skills advised. If you are new to hand sewing, we recommend attending our "Grandma's Hands" - Introduction to hand sewing repairs (fabric items) class first.

About the Tutor: The class is taught by Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob's Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic vintage Japanese textiles to show in his classes.

Class Size: Max 8 students

T ime: 2:30 - 5pm (Please arrive promptly)

Where: The class will take place in Fabrications "Re Imaginerium" studio (we no longer have a shop cat as depicted in one of the photos!) which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps. The studio is light and bright with a homely feel to help you feel relaxed and inspired whilst learning. You will have your own work area (with some shared facilities like ironing, cutting table) We purposefully keep class sizes small to ensure a quality experience and plenty of guidance time with the tutor.

Please Bring: An item of clothing (jeans, linen or cotton items would be suitable) you wish to repair, although fabric and threads are provided should you wish to just practice or start on a piece of your very own boro.

Includes all other materials

Packs of indigo dyed shibori and vintage textiles will also be available to purchase on the day in addition to the class should you wish to continue your practice at home.

Please Note: There is no food or drink allowed in the studio, You are welcome to bring a sealed water bottle but please ensure all 'take outs' are consumed before arriving.

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Full Terms & Conditions: Here

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