More Boro and Beyond Part 2

Linda M.: Boro sample showing patching from underneath, raw-edge applique, inset patch and "bird's nest" darning around floating patch.

On Day #2 of my Artistic Artifacts workshop, Boro and Beyond: The Versatile Running Stitch we covered construction, mending and distortion techniques using the Running Stitch. Day #1 homework was to put together some fabric bases so we could continue work on Day #2. Students stitched together 4-square patchwork bases, collage-style and woven bases. Most students worked with the 4-square patchwork base for mending techniques.

Judith K-P: Woven patch, "bird's nest" darning, raw-edge applique.

We patched cut/torn fabric from behind (a typical Boro approach), played with raw-edge and turned edge reverse applique techniques, created our own woven fabric patches with Surface Darning and learned how to inset a patch.

Carol B.: Reverse applique variations, woven patch.

Cheryl H.: Reverse applique and patching.

Ellen S.: Inset patch, patching from behind, surface darning.

Diana G.: Patching from behind, reverse and raw-edge applique, inset patch.

Lindy M.: Patching from behind, "bird's nest" darning.

Lora B.: Reverse applique, patching from behind

Lora B.: Inset patch, surface darning.

Melanie H.: Patching from behind, raw-edge applique.

Susan H. : Patching from behind, "bird's nest" darning, inset patch, reverse applique

Susan H.: Detail of inset patch.

Susan P. : Raw-edge applique, patching from behind, "bird's nest" darning, inset patch.

Susan P.: Detail of  "bird's nest" darning.

Susan S.: Inset patch, raw-edge reverse applique.

Ruth T.: Inset patch detail.

Etta S.: Surface darning.

Jean T.: Sashiko stitching over patch.

Jutta M.: Patching from behind.

Lindy M.: Woven and stitched.

Etta S.: Woven and stitched.

There was so much to cover with these techniques that there wasn't much time left for the distortion techniques. I demoed those for students...including Kantha quilting and Ruching...pleating fabric strips with Running Stitch (see link below: Boro and Beyond: The Versatile Running Stitch Part 2 to see more about those techniques).

Thanks students!

If you think you'd like to take this 2-day workshop at Artistic Artifacts, I'll be teaching it again on October 21 and 22.

You might also enjoy these blog posts:
More Boro and Beyond Part 1
Boro and Beyond: The Versatile Running Stitch Part 1
Boro and Beyond: The Versatile Running Stitch Part 2

More Boro and Beyond Part 1

Jean T.: Showing all the techniques we did on the first day: A Line Can Be; Sashiko, Pattern Darning and Lacing.

Last October, I taught Boro and Beyond: The Versatile Running Stitch for the first time (at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, Virginia). I was inspired by a student to do a class in Boro (a Japanese mending technique using Running Stitch) and as per usual...decided to go a step further and spend time exploring the Running Stitch in depth and what it can do. Click here to read that post.

I taught the class again, at Artistic Artifacts, this past weekend...with 16 enthusiastic and talented students! I have many stitched works to share and so once again, I'm going to split the work into two posts.

Susan P.: A Line Can Be...

This first post focuses on what we did during the first day. We explored the Running Stitch itself...using a list of adjectives (A Line Can Be...) and first drawing and then interpreting the drawings.

Cheryl H.: Radiating lines.

Susan H.: A Line Can Be...

Susan S.: Meandering line

Ruth T.: Meandering

We then created patterns with Running Stitch...both Sashiko style and Pattern Darning.
Sashiko patterns are based on the intersection of rows of horizontal and vertical (and sometimes diagonal) lines of Running Stitch. The stitches and the spaces between are very uniform. We worked rows where the stitches lined up in columns and others where the stitches lined up like bricks.

Susan P.: Sashiko

Carol B.: Sashiko (and A Line Can Be)

Cheryl H.: Sashiko

Etta S.: Sashiko

Judith K-P: Sashiko

Jutta M.: Sashiko (and some Pattern Darning)

Susan H.: Sashiko

Susan S.: Sashiko and Pattern Darning

Pattern Darning is made up of closely stitched rows of Running Stitch...where the stitches and the spaces between change length to create the patterns. One of my students brought in this wonderful pillow from Bangladesh that has great examples of Pattern Darning.

Pattern Darning on a pillow from Bangladesh.

Pattern Darning on a pillow from Bangladesh.

Diana G.: Showing both Pattern Darning and Sashiko

Ellen S.: Pattern Darning and Lacing

Linda M.: Pattern Darning and Sashiko.

Susan H.: Pattern Darning and Lacing.

The last challenge of the day was to lace and wrap rows (and sometimes lines) of Running Stitch to create even more patterns.

Carol B.: Lacing and Pattern Darning.

Diana G.: Lacing

Etta S.: Lacing and Pattern Darning.

Judith K-P: Lacing and Pattern Darning.

Linda M.: Lacing.

Lindy M: Lacing.

Melanie H.: Lacing

Ruth T.: Lacing.

Susan P.: Lacing.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this workshop!

If you are interested in joining me for this 2-day workshop, I'll be teaching it again at Artistic Artifacts on October 21 and 22.