Boro Stitching - Needles & Threads

Following on from my Boro Bag Post .  I want to talk a little today about Needles, Threads and Fabric for Boro Stitching.

Basically to get the best results (and the most stress free Stitching experience) you need to use the best combination of needle and thread for the fabrics you are using.

Because, if you use a needle that is too small or big for you fabric and chosen thread your gonna hit problems, and at the very least your work is going to fight you. Basically not so much fun as frustration. So it pays to use the right tools for the job.

There are numerous types of Needles and Threads to use when sewing, which basically depend on the fabrics you are stitching and the effect you want to achieve. I could write a blog post on each one. But today I just want to focus a little on Needles, Threads and Fabrics for more traditional Boro Work.

You'll probably be pleased to know that Boro is traditionally worked with thicker threads and bigger needles! It's one of the reasons I love Boro, it's not fiddly and delicate it's simple and bold. And this simple bold work creates (in my humble opinion) a visual feast for the eyes.

Visible Mending. That's quite new wording for me. I have always thought of such work as patching, you know, cutting a patch of fabric to cover a hole, rip or tear and simply stitching it onto said fabric, usually clothing, and stitched to blend in. I'm  thinking boys trouser knees and pockets! But nowadays invisible Mending has been eclipsed by Visible Mending. You may think Visible Mending is a relatively new kid on the block, making a point of seeing the Mending. But no, the Japanise have been 'Visible Mending' for ever........ for more information on Boro

Traditional Boro fabrics are a slightly heavier weight and a more open weave than the Patchwork and Quilting fabrics many of us use. And that slightly heavier weight means thicker threads and Needles are ideal.

Fabric

For Sashiko and Boro it's best to use as Medium Weight Woven fabric with quite an open weave. The needles and Threads you will be using are quite thick to match the fabric weight. If you try and use a tight weave fabric the needle and thread will have difficulty penatrating it. It won't be easy to work and won't look right either. So save yourself the frustration and choose suitable fabrics. Check out the fabrics in the Susan Brisco link at the bottom of this post..

Threads.

Firstly, there is the obvious choice, the thread that the Japanese would use for Boro.  And this thread is called Sashico Thread. It is becoming more readily available, usually through specialist stores though. And more colours too (used to be mainly cream or indigo). Obviously it's the ideal choice. But you can create Boro Work with lots of other thicker threads. Remember the stitching is meant to be seen. Embroidery threads can work well, and of course they are easily available and come in a plethora of colours. If I'm using a six stranded thread I use either two or three strands for Boro. Pearle Cotton can work well also, I quite like Pearle Cotton no. 8.

I've stitched out a sample piece for you to see the effect of a few different threads. There are others you might like to try. I'm just showing a few to give you an idea of what you can use. I've included a Hand Quilting Thread so you can see for yourself that it really isn't thick enough to create a bold stitch on Sashiko weight fabrics.

Needles. 

Ideally with Sashiko Thread you would use a Sashiko Needle. They general come in two lengths. Use whichever you feel more comfortable using. You may well start and stay with the shorter needle. Or you may progress onto the longer one as you learn to put more Stitches on you needle. I've also used a Chenille Needle (no. 16 for me) as they are fairly widely available in shops.

The Sashiko Stitch itself is basically what I think of as a running stitch. Learn more about  Sashiko History, point 6 of this link explains clearly the difference between Sashiko and Boro I think.      Read a part of this link quote below.

Boro can be best defined as the mindful Japanese art of mending textiles, while Sashiko is a form of sustainable embroidery.

Above is a picture of some of my own Sashiko Stitching (along with some Appliqued Japanese Motifs. Note how different the Sashiko Stitch looks when used to create shapes as apposed to the simple straight lines typical of Boro Stitching using Sashiko Stitching.

Read my Post on Boro Inspired Stitching

It could be said that Boro Work although  based on the Sashiko Stitch is a simpler form of Sashiko 

So there you have it. My thoughts on Boro threads & needles. 

I first learned Sashiko from a Workshop with Susan Brisco many years ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But once I discovered Boro Work, I fell in love with it's simplicity.  I think as someone who doesn't like lots of rules and regulations I find the freedom of Boro suits my need to be non conformist, while feeding my love of Sashiko or running stitch.

Want to buy some supplies? Or just checkout out what is available take a look a this link to the Susan Brisco Shop.

Are you enjoying my musings? Check out my Social Media Links

Japanese Boro Bag

 

Here is a link to the Japanese Boro Bag Tutorial I used to make my own Boro Bag below.

And read about Sashiko and Boro Work

This tutorial has lovely pics and some basic instructions. I'm just going to go into a little bit of detail on how I put this bag together for those of you who need a little more detail. So this post is not how to make the bag. The Japanese Boro Bag Tutorial link above does that. This post simply gives a little more detail of how I made the Boro Bag. So follow the link instructions. They may well be enough for you to make your own Boro Bag. If not, here are a few details of how I made mine.

Making tabs

I used my contrast fabric but later realised it would have been easier to use the webbing I bought for the strap. You will need two pieces approx 3" to attach the bag strap,  one approx 7" for the fob.and a slightly thinner piece about 9" for the fastening loop. The bag webbing I used was 25mm/1". To make the fastening loop I cut a 1" strip from my fabric approx 9" long.

See Pics below for:

Detail of where to stitch webbing for strap.

Fob placement and stitching to main bag.

Detail of Fastening Loop

Making a Lining

Once you have the outer bag including the base and stitched together, you need to make a lining for you bag.

Simply cut out a piece of your chosen lining fabric the same size as your outer bag.

Next stitch up the sides of you lining. This will leave you with a lining pouch that you simply drop into you main bag (once you have stitched up the sides of your main bag). Remember to shape the bottom of your lining in the same way as the outer bag.The lining needs to drop into your bag with the wrong side of the lining facing the wrong/inside of your bag.

Above is my bag lining. I chose to add a pocket. But you can skip this step if you like. Note, the lining will need to be turn thru so the raw edges are on the outside before you drop it inside your main bag.

Strap Tab placement for main Bag Fabric

Remember the tabs for the strap need to face into you bag as in the pic above.

I then pinned the front toggle in place and stitched around the top edge using a long stitch on my sewing machine to hold it all in place.  You could hand tack this if you prefer. You can also just see the little tabs ready for the strap on either side of the bag.

Top Binding

Measure around the top opening of you bag & make up a binding 3" longer using your contrast fabric. How I make my binding

Stitch the binding to the inside of your bag top. How I attach my bindings

I then hand stitched the binding to the front of my bag.

Next I attached the Fastening Loop.  Can you see where I have machine stitched it to the back of my Boro Bag

Here is a close up of the front of the Fastening Loop and the lovely button I used. It was a fabric covered button I had in my Button Box which I added some hand stitching to. I'm quite proud of that!!

That's about it. Hopefully by following the link at the top of the page and my tips you'll soon be the proud owner of your own Boro Bag. 

I also made a little video about Boro work. My Boro Inspired Video

Read my blog post on my thoughts for Boro Needles, Threads and Fabrics

More of My Hand Stitching Adventures

And of course check out my Social media Links

Boro Inspired Stitching

 Hello there my Stitching Friends. Today I want to share with you my latest Boro Inspired piece of work. 

I find this Traditional Japanese style of stitching wonderfully relaxing. It's based on need rather than decoration but still manages to produce a visually strong finished piece of work. 

I'm making my piece of Boro fabric into a Bag. But technically that's the wrong way around! Boro traditionally didn't start It's life as Boro. It slowly became Boro over years of daily use and mending.....

Boro is filled with lots of lovely Hand Stitching called Sashiko in thick thread often  contrasting the fabrics it covers. (Think basic running or quilting stitches.) This simple stitch intended to be functional also creates a fabulous visual impact.

Read my post on Boro Needles and Threads Here

The bag I'm making came from this  Boro Bag link

I've thoroughly enjoyed the project. So much so that I created a YouTube Video showing how I created this piece. You can click on This Link  to watch my YouTube video about making this piece of Boro.

I hope you enjoyed watching my Boro video.

Also I've made lots of helpful How To Stitching Videos. Check out my My YouTube Channel here

And I'm also

On other Social Media

So, what did you think of my Boro Video?

Are you tempted to give it a try?

Or, have you already made some Boro Work?

Let me know in the comments below. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Joy

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

My grandson has this week discovered the Joys of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. A little cabin in the woods that I made for my granddaughters about fifteen years ago.

I really enjoyed designing and constructing The Three Bears Log Cabin.

 The Three Little Quilts were a bit of a challenge.

I enjoyed choosing the fabrics for the curtains, night sky and wallpaper.

I made the mattress on Daddy Bear's Bed Too Hard

Manna Bear's Too Soft

And

Baby Bear's Just Right.

It really was a lot of fun working out how to make The Three Bears, Goldielocks, the fire, carpet, picture, table and chairs and of course three bowls of porridge.

I'm very proud of my efforts in this project.

Why not Check Out My Other Social Media Links

And So the Crochet Begins

2017 The Year of the Hook

2017 The Year of the  Hook. And no, I haven't given up Patchwork and Quilting. In fact there is plenty coming up on that front this year.
BUT
I have decided that now is the time to share my Joy of Crochet. And so in January I opened the doors on my Once a Month Crochet Group, open to all levels from beginner up.
We kicked off last month with a Basic Granny Square.
And this month having made five Granny Squares we have progressed to a bag/box.

To view my Beginner Crochet Videos (UK Treble Stitch and making a Basic Granny Square Left and Right Handed) Click on the link at the bottom of the page.

Fast Forward Four Years to 2021

Wow! The last five years have flown by. We had so much fun in Crochet Class. We learnt new Stitches and Patterns. Stretched ourselves. Inspired and helped each other.  So much new Crochet has been worked. I also put a few How to Crochet Videos up on my YouTube Channel. But that was the last four years.

Time Now For A Change

Time now for me to play. 

More of My Crochet

Back Now to Our Crochet Bag/Box/Container

For those of you who want to see how I make my Crochet Granny Squares see my Crochet Corner Post

As you can see these can be made up in different sizes.

The Small one was made using a Cotton Yarn

And Four Granny Square Rounds.

The Large one was made using an Chunky weight Yarn

And Ten Granny Square Rounds.

I used a cotton yarn called Paint Box

For the small bag and a Chunky acrylic yarn for the large one.

I've made two little videos.

One showing the UK Double Crochet I used to edge each square and also join the squares together.

And

A second one showing how I made the lining insert.

For more HowTo Videos vist my YouTube channel

And

My Social Media Links

Joyofquilting's Crochet Corner

These videos I made are for my Beginner Crocheters from the last few months beginners days.
And of course anyone else who may be interested.

Crochet is such a wonderful craft. Non Crochet people are always amazed at how we can wiggle a hook and create magic!

See more of what I have been Stitching Crochet 2021

My Crochet Videos 

This first one shows how to Crochet the U.K. Treble Stitch (US double Crochet)

This is the go to stitch for general Crochet. I'm thinking Granny Squares, Crochet Throws/Blankets, Shawls etc.

The one below moves on to making a basic Granny Square

And for my fellow Lefties

Below is a video showing how to Crochet the Treble Stitch left handed

And finally the Basic Granny Squares for left handers.

Give It A Try 

Remember,  you can Pause, Fast Forward and Rewind

As often as you need to.

Have fun.

Looking back. And So the Crochet Begins

And while your here,  Check out My Other Social Media Links

Thanks for talking time out of your day to be with me, Joy

Quilt As You Go All Finished - Well Almost

Quilt as you Go

I've just finished my Lynne Edwards Sampler Quilt. I really like it.

We did use  a few non Lynne Edwards blocks. Just because I liked them.
I intend doing some hand quilting in the sashing. But that can wait a while.

Meanwhile here are some pictures.

Sampler Quilt 

I made twenty blocks.

This is the back of the quilt.

I used up all my scrap pieces to make the back.

Close ups of the quilting - back view.

Close up of some patterned stitching I used for quilting.

See the black blur/smudge at the bottom of the quilt?

That was my new kitten Sparky darting across the quilt!

So it looks like Daisy and I have a new apprentice to help us quilt.

Quilt As You Go

This project used Quilt as you Go joining. It's a lovely way to work as each Block is complete including Quilting before being joined together to make the whole Quilt.

More about Quilt as you Go

I would be thrilled if you checked out my other Social Media Links