Create a Piece of Boro – Online Boro Class

Join us for a three-session ONLINE boro class with sashiko and boro educator Sue Howie.

This class is intended for beginners and those with some experience who wish to deepen their understanding of boro techniques. Over the course of three sessions, Sue will guide you through the fundamentals of boro, from its rich history to its practical applications, and help you to create your own piece of boro-inspired work.

Each online session will be up to an hour long, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions as Sue guides you through the steps. Session Times: 10.30AM – 11.30AM AEST.

The event will be held via Zoom. After payment and registration and closer to the event, easy instructions will be sent to each subscriber on how to join the online class. This will give you time to have all your requirements on hand and ready to go.

Here’s what we will be covering in each session:

Online Boro Class Session One – 10.30AM AEST, March 26

The aim of this first session is to get you to a point where you can take the first steps in your project, to be reviewed in the next week’s session.

• Requirements and preparation for your project.   (Options to consider)
• Steps to follow to complete your project. (up to preparation to start your Sashiko Stitching)

Online Boro Class Session Two – 10.30AM AEST, April 2

Sue will review the first steps in your project and offer tips and guidance for your progress, including your use and choice of thread and stitching technique.

You will also be provided with creative ideas for the completion of your project over the following week,

Sue will also cover examples of how boro can be used to create something of interest, difference and be uniquely yours.

Online Boro Class Session Three – 10.30AM AEST, April 9

Students can use this session to show off their completed boro projects, and discuss their progress and experiences over the previous two weeks.

What you will need to bring

From your fabric stash

• • 1 x piece of fabric approx. 30cm x 30 cm. 100% cotton fabric—any piece you might have in your stash.
  • 1 x piece of fabric approx. 30cm x 30cm. 100% cotton or cotton/linen blend, the more open weave the better.
  • A variety of fabric scraps. Ensure there are enough to cover both pieces of fabric. You can use left over scraps from previous projects, or be more selective if you have a colour palette in mind.

Thread

• • Standard sewing thread for basting.
  • A skein or card of no.5 sashiko thread or roll of perle embroidery thread.

Needles

• • 1 x straight pin.
  • 1 x sashiko needle. You’re welcome to use a sashiko needle that you’ve used previously, or buy one that you think might suit you. Ensure your needle has a large enough eye for threading sashiko thread and a sharp point.

Scissors

• • 1 x pair of small scissors.
  • A larger pair of scissors if you have them, or a rotary cutter and mat—something to trim fabrics for embellishing.

Additional items

• A glue pen. (Suggest Sewline or Bohin. Both work well.).
• A Sheet of paper and biro for notes.

One week prior to the first session, attendees will be emailed the above list, and a ZOOM link to attend the class online.

About the history of boro textiles

Sashiko, a traditional Japanese form of ornamental stitching, and boro, the practice of mending and reinforcing, are not merely techniques; they are a means to connect with history, sustainability, and artistic expression. Sashiko has its roots in simplicity, originating from a time when Japanese peasant women employed a patching method known as ‘boro’. This thrifty practice involved attaching pieces of fabric to worn-out garments, bed linen, and other textiles to prolong their usage. The patches were sewn onto the garments using a ‘stabbing stitch’, also known as ‘sashiko’, which roughly translates to “piercing with little stabs”. Over the years, sashiko has evolved into a more sophisticated art form, characterised by a defined structure and more consistent stitch lengths.

Make a booking