Description

Boro is a unique form of mending.  It comes from the north of Japan and is a craft born out of extreme hardship.  It is perfect for people never want to throw anything away and committed recyclers.  My version of boro, however, is different.  I don’t need to make warm clothing and bed-coverings out of hoarded scraps of fabric, but I don’t like to throw even tiny pieces away.  I have therefore combined my love of salvaging unloved and unwanted fabric, and surface decoration with lots of stitching and beads to make what I call blinged-up boro.  This is suitable for making all sorts of fabric items such as wall-hangings and so on, but also jewellery and clothing.  It is deeply respectful of the Japanese origins of boro but uses it as starting point to create contemporary work.

Programme

In the morning we will explore the basic boro stitch and traditional materials.  We will look at beading techniques and cover the origins of boro as a subsitence craft.  We will make a small piece of boro which can be used as a key ring or brooch.

In the afternoon we will begin to design and work on a larger piece which might be for a hanging, bag or soft toy.

You will be able to go home with something finished!

Practicalities

The workshop will run from 10.00-4.00 pm.  You will need to bring your own lunch, but tea, coffee, soft drinks and cakes/biscuits will be provided.  There will be two brand-new superstores open at the bottom of the road, five minutes walk away, or a nice pub round the corner.

All materials will be provided.  You may want to bring your own sewing kit if you have favourite needles or thimbles.

Parking is on-street but there is usually plenty at the weekend.

The price is £50 per person, with everything included.

Please note: we have two small dogs.  They are friendly and used to people.  I can keep them totally separate if you are allergic or don’t like dogs.