The Book of Boro

About Susan Briscoe

Susan Briscoe teaches sashiko workshops and regularly attends consumer sewing and quilt shows in the UK and beyond. She is a contributor to patchwork and needlecraft magazines and has published numerous books about Japanese embroidery techniques including sashiko, boro and kogin, as well as patchwork and quilting. Her interest in sashiko began when she was teaching English in Japan. For more information visit her website www.susanbriscoe.com

British Patchwork & Quilting

The history of boro, the Japanese technique of ultimate reuse and recycle, is covered first before moving onto tools and materials. Techniques are next with diagrams for the various stitches used. The traditional and modern stitch options are both covered along with simple sashiko.

There are ten project chapters inspired by original boro piece from Susan's personal collection. Each has a large and a small project to inspire you. They include a pincushion, quilt, throw, table wear, bags and even a jacket. 

This book is ideal for those interested in recycling fabrics and is comprehensive guide to this fascinating method. 

It is my book of the month. 

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Embroidery The Textile Art Magazine

A mix of history, guidance on traditional and contemporary stitches and a host of projects bring the Japanese craft of boro, the ultimate slow stitching technique, to life for a new audience. 

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Embroidery

Boro, which in Japanese means tattered or repaired, refers to cloth that has been mended or patched together for utilitarian, not decorative, purposes to make it stronger and warmer, or to mend torn and threadbare areas. Briscoe delves into a brief history of boro, before sharing traditional and contemporary stitch techniques and instructions on improvisational patchwork, appliqué, darning techniques and methods for distressing and ageing fabrics to achieve an authentic boro finish in the 20 projects in this book.

Using contemporary fabric, shes amongst those reviving Boro for a new audience, and brings her knowledge of Japan, as well as examples from her personal boro collection built over 30 years to bear, making this a useful introduction to the subject of Boros history and techniques.

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Sew magazine - December 2020

A slow stitching skill is the perfect way to take your mind off the hectic festive season, so why not branch out into boro? The Book of Boro teaches the ancient Japanese process of mending and patching textiles - its purpose is to make fabric stronger, warmer and to mend torn and threadbare areas. The book runs through both traditional and contemporary stitches to help you master the technique, plus 20 patterns inspired by historic boro garments.