Sue Spargo Instastitch

During the week I was looking for a new project to do at the Japanese Group

that I run at the shop. I wanted to do something using my collection of old

indigo fabrics that I have collected over many visits to Japan.

And I had an urge to do some Boro style work. I had scrolled through my 

magazines and books featuring Boro but nothing had grabbed me.

Then I remembered Sue Spargo's recent posts on her Instastitch project

 so went off on a  tangent to investigate.

And yes it will be perfect. She is offering free downloadable blocks each month

for twelve months and they are based loosely around a log 

cabin block - perfect for what I wanted.

And I can add my "Boro" patches to it and lots of 'wild' sashiko stitching.

This my first block all pieced and ready for the sashiko stitching.

I have decided that is it near impossible to get an accurate photo of these colours.

I have tried and tried to get it truer with no luck, so you will have to visualise it

in darker and duller blues. Sorry.

Note the holes in the old fabric - I will make them more of a feature with 

stitching - so watch this spot!

These are the three "Boro" hangings that I had in the Auckland Quiltmakers 

Show a few weeks ago.

In Japan, mended and patched textiles are referred to as "Boro". 

Boro fabric dates from the 1800s. Traditional indigo dyed cotton was a 

popular everyday textile at this time. It came in a huge range of shades depending mostly on how long it had been left in the indigo dyeing vat.

Times were tough in rural Japan at this time but still the women managed 

to create was is now widely recognised as a stunning art form

which includes patching and sashiko stitching.

Thanks Sue for inspiring me again.