A few years ago I was introduced to Sashiko and Boro after watching a documentary on mending from Japan. Intrigued I did some research found some supplies and set about learning some new to me techniques.
I really enjoy it, the slow meditative repetitive stitching quietens my mind while still allowing me to keep my hands busy. There was a period of time where I was spending quite a lot of time in waiting rooms of varying doctors and medical offices and having something to do that didn’t require complicated charts or note keeping was a special gift. The staff were also impressed at someone doing something too!
At some point I would love to go and learn from a traditional artist in Japan as I know I’m probably doing many things incorrectly or at least not best practice, I have found google translate and being able to add subtitles to YouTube videos a good way to learn from people practicing their craft everyday.
This rice bag is one of a handful I made from the same pattern. Each panel was handstitched and then the whole thing assembled by machine. The pattern was from BeBeBold and I had got a bundle of traditional fabrics to use in the pieceing but I did add my own Japanese fabrics I had picked up on trips or been given.
From memory I think I made 3 maybe 4 of these? Since they were made mine was lost in a house fire, my mums was lost in floods, one person has passed away and I think 1 may still be in use by it’s recipient. As always I value the time it took me and how much I enjoyed using that time to create and the joy of gifting them to people. The fact the bags may no be in existence is not sad just what happened.
I just wanted to include these photos here as a record of the make and the enjoyment I got from learning new things and creating.
So far I’ve turned panels into placemats, coasters and now I’ve combined pre printed panels and boro stitching together to make a kinchaku or rice bag.
The original pattern is from BeBeBold and meant to be quite a bit smaller than the one here. But I didn’t want to cut down my pre printed panels so I supersized the pattern to create this.
Construction wise it’s a square bottom and 4 rectangular sides (same for the lining) all sewn together and pulled through an opening in the lining to end up fully lined. After closing the internal opening up these nifty little plastic hooks were added to the outside. The plastic has a U shape that slides down over the top edge of the fabric. A metal nail is then inserted into the hole of the plastic hook, through the fabric, through another hole on the other side of the plastic hook and out again. Bashing it down and flat with a mallet ensured it stays in place and there is no pointy bit to scratch your hands as you enter and exit the bag.
Waxed cotton cord is then thread through from either end to create a double sided drawcord. It really was a super simple make and I love the final shape it’s so lovely. I can’t wait to make some more!
