Mending With Boro

It turns out I have one more “Japan trip” post in me. It’s actually about the origin of sashiko – which began as a type of mending – and I hope you find it interesting.

While in Japan I enjoyed wearing the jacket I made with my friend Evelyn prior to the trip.

When I returned home, after washing the jacket, I discovered a tear along the bottom edge of the lining (I must have caught it on something).

I could easily have patched it and nobody would have been the wiser, since it was on the inside of the jacket. But I’ve been fascinated by “Boro” mending ever since learning about it in Japan, and I thought it would be fun to give it a try. For a site with the history on this ancient utilitarian technique and how it grew into the sashiko stitching we know today click here.

I bought this lapel pin while on my trip to Japan and was told it was an actual piece of vintage boro.

So I cut a rectangle of blue fabric, stitched and turned it so there were no raw edges (not typically done in boro, but I just couldn’t help myself):

Pinned it in place.

Chose a thread and began to stitch!

Because of the thickness of the fabrics, I had to do a stab stitch, but I think it adds to the effect and I’m loving the results (bottom center on the back of the jacket).

Wow! A way to mend that’s fun! Then, a few weeks after mending my jacket I had another “boro” style mending adventure. This past February I went to a wonderful reunion in Florida with a group of my cousins (before everything was shut down). Deb, Kathy and I found a shop with fun clothing and we all purchased similar shirts.

Mine has been worn and washed a number of times, and the last time I noticed a 1″ hole on the right front. I have no idea how it got there, but something had to be done. Since it was a t-shirt knit I decided to add lightweight fusible interfacing on the inside and then I blanket stitch appliquéd a leaf on the front, and added stitching similar to the shirt embellishment.

I’m rather pleased with the way it turned out.

This might just cause me to like mending. Have you done any creative mending? It takes a bit of imagination, but I recommend you give it a try!

Face Mask and Surgical Cap Update

We would like to thank everyone who has helped with our Mask and Cap project over the past 2 months. To visit our updated site and read the latest news click here.

Gina has compiled a list of all of the hospitals and organizations who have benefitted from your generosity these past 2 months. Click here to read this very exciting list!