Boro Boro, or Boro Embroidery is a Japanese embroidery technique, derived from necessity rather than for artistic pursuit.
Boro Boro translated means tattered or repaired. The Boro technique is quite simple, yet beautifully effective and involves layering scraps of fabric and working a running stitch over them.
Boro was developed from hard economic times and was a way of making clothing and other textiles last longer. The layering of fabrics gave the added benefit of warmth. It wasn't an artform, nor was Boro embroidery meant to look pleasing, it was a quick and practical solution to repair and maintain textiles.
Not many original Boro embroidery survives, as the Japanese were embarrassed by their poverty and when economics improved they were destroyed, not seeming worthy to be passed down to another generation.
Boro embroidery was made using scraps of fabrics from other textiles that could no longer be repaired. This makes it a very planet friendly form of embroidery and textile art - and one we could all use to reduce our fabric stash somewhat!
Traditionally, Boro was made using blue fabrics as those who practised it were often Indigo farmers and this was what was most readiy available to them. However, as with most embroidery techniques styles alter over the years and now many different colours can be used. In this piece above, Boro'd Words, the fabric and thread is naturally dyed with onion and tea. There are some beautiful examples where embroiderers have used brightly coloured threads and patterned fabrics.
For me, the fascination with Boro stems from the hidden stories within. The layers of fabrics previously used as clothing tell forgotten stories and evoke memories of times and people gone before us. The meditative repetition of the needle through the fabric allows me to relax and sometimes figure out a puzzle or problem I've been thinking on. Using fabrics in a more sustainable way is important to me and Boro achieves this too.
Have you seen Boro embroidery or had a go yourself?
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