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

Boro and Beyond: The Versatile Running Stitch Part 2

Julie B Booth: Woven sampler detail.

This is the second post about my two-day workshop, Boro and Beyond: The Versatile Running Stitch that was held at Artistic Artifacts.

In the previous post, I talked about how the Running Stitch could be used to explore different types of line and pattern. In today's post, I'll focus on construction, mending and distorting.

Julie B Booth : Boro/mending sampler #1 on patchwork base.

Julie B Booth: Boro/mending sampler #2 on a patchwork base.

I asked the students to make some "bases" or foundations on which to experiment with Running Stitch. These included a patchwork base, a woven base, and a fabric collage base. Most students did the first two types of bases.

Gloria W.: Boro sampler.

Judy G.: Boro sampler.

Kate G.: Boro sampler using heirloom pillow cases.

Kathy F.: Boro sampler

Peggy G.: Boro sampler.

Barbara C.: Woven base.

Gloria W.: Woven base.

Judy G.: Woven base.

Linda M.: Woven base.

Peggy G.: Woven base.

Roxana F.: Woven base.

On these foundations, students stitched and experimented with different ways of patching and mending fabric.

Alice A. working on her Boro sampler.

Alice A.: Boro sampler.

Laurie T working on her Boro sampler.

Laurie T.: Boro sampler.

Linda M.: Boro sampler.

Linda M.: Fabric collage sampler.

I threw in my technique for reverse applique and challenged students with a fabric patch inlay and a floating patch with surface darning.

Barbara C. working on her Boro sampler

Barbara C.: Detail showing surface darning.

Roxana F.: Boro sampler.

Wendy S.: Boro sampler

Later, we played with distorting fabric with the Running Stitch, including a variation on kantha stitching and ruching (gathering) those wonderful sari silk strips!

Julie B Booth: Distorting the fabric with kantha stitch.

Kate G.: Kantha stitch.

Julie B Booth: Ruching (pleating) with sari silk strips.

Kathy F.: Ruching. Silk strips on right were ironed before pleating.

Peggy G.: Rushing with sari silk strips.

This was the first time I taught this workshop and it was great to see the different approaches students took. I was so excited that I went home and continued to stitch! I plan to have more samplers to share and maybe even a few more ideas.

Thanks students for being such an inspiration!!

If you live in the Washington, D.C. area and would like to take this workshop, I am offering it again on January 21 and 22 at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, VA.

If you think your fiber group would like to do this two day workshop, please feel free to leave a comment and a way to get in touch.