Boro (more accurately ‘Boro boro’), meaning ‘rags or tatters’ is the art of repairing fabric using scraps and stitching. Boro work follows the British wartime tradition of ‘make do and mend’ but was used out of necessity in Japan to prolong the life of clothes and bedding due to extreme poverty and the scarcity of textiles. 

As we all become more aware of the importance of sustainability, what better time to learn techniques that will allow us to repair our garments through Boro and sashiko.

In this online workshop suitable for beginners, led by Rob Jones, participants will learn how to repair a garment using scraps, both modern and vintage and how to use sashiko stitching to enhance your work. You will practice using visible repair to enhance and strengthen textiles using applique, reverse applique, and woven mending techniques. Rob will also provide a brief history and origins of Boro. 

Participants will need the following materials and tools:

• An item of clothing to repair: Denim, chinos or cotton linen pieces are best. Alternatively start to make your own Boro-inspired fabric by sewing together different patches. No wool, jumpers or fine materials such as silk.
• Some fabric to patch with: Any scrap fabric, vintage fabric or material of sufficient weight for the material being mended. Ideally printed or with some pattern.
• Sashiko thread (or alternatively embroidery thread): Any colour of your choice.
• Strong thread for tacking/basting
• Sashiko needle (or alternatively embroidery needles)
• Small pair of sharp scissors, or large pair of dressmaking scissors
• Pins: Ideally the finer kind and longer ones are best but any will do
• Soluble marker pen
• Iron and ironing board
• [OPTIONAL] Thimble or sashiko coin thimble
• [OPTIONAL] Quilt batting (only if you wish to make a quilted fabric rather than a mend)

Boro kit can be purchased from Romor Designs, and some materials and tools from Susan Briscoe Design or Doughty’s Online.

London-based Romor Designs was formed in the autumn of 2015 by Rob Jones, a Shibori textiles designer and natural dyer. Having discovered Shibori, the ancient Japanese art of resist dyeing, at West Dean college, Rob went on to study in Japan under indigo guru, Bryan Whitehead. In 2018, Rob returned to Japan to expand his Japanese textiles skills, visiting Ise, the home of Katagami stencilling and buying supplies to set up his own teaching practice back in the UK.

If you have any questions, please call the Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email us at: events@japansociety.org.uk.

Booking Details
Members price: £25
Non-members price: £30 (More details on how to become a member here).

Please note that spaces are limited to 6 participants to allow one-on-one time with the tutor, and so early booking is recommended