Easing into the Week

Some time ago I purchased a Boro bag kit from French General- one for me and one for my daughter. 

I started it on New Years Eve. My base was muslin and a piece of batting. I placed the indigo 

randomly and started sewing with sashiko/primitive stitches. 

 The circular piece on the center left is one I dyed in Lori Triplett's class in November. The weave was extra tight so I only added a small piece. Stitching through it was hard! The cool looking piece on the lower left was given to me by my friend Phyliss, but its weave was tight too.

So, I cut that piece down a considerable amount then I added a few other pieces.

I then buttonhole stitched around it to attach it to the linen bag. 

I'm so happy with it and it was incredibly easy!

I'm actually thinking about doing the other side the same way, but with red fabric. 

Make it a wonderful Monday!

Boro and Sashiko

These first few are pieces the teacher, Becky from Shibori Dragon brought to class this week.

I love everything about this vintage Boro bag!

Here is her sashiko sampler.

And here is the start of mine. The photo is completely washed out. The fabric is a lovely cotton linen blend.

Boro Bag Friday

I've been fascinated by French General's woad dying and more recently her Boro bag workshop. 

What's Boro? Well, I'm glad you asked!

Japan's mended and patched textiles are referred to as boro, or ragged, both in Japan and abroad.

Boro textiles are usually sewn from nineteenth and early twentieth century rags and patches of indigo dyed cotton.  The diversity of patches on any given piece is a veritable encyclopedia of hand loomed cotton indigo from old Japan. In most cases, the beautiful arrangement of patches and mending stitches is borne of necessity and happenstance, and was not planned by the maker.

From THIS LINK.

 I saw Kaari was putting together kits so I bought one for me and my daughter Rene to do together. It comes with the linen bag, a piece of foundation fabric and batting (you sew the indigo onto the foundation before adding it to the bag)

The kit comes with absolutely everything you need! I can't wait to get started.

Lots of signs of spring in central Oregon this week!

Sign up for the Little Quilt Swap and read all the details HERE. Don't delay! The deadline is just a couple of days away!

Enjoy your weekend, friends.