Boro + How I Made My Patchwork Coat 

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I'm proud to say I own a piece of clothing that I feel I can call "true boro". My older brother used to longboard a lot, and was the one who taught me how to skate, and he had this thin-fabric grey-blue button-up shirt that he'd wear while doing downhill skating. When he moved out, he left it at our house, and let me keep it when I found it, saying it was too torn up anyways from times he'd crashed while skating downhill. I took it upon myself to patch up the holes in the fabric using the same stitching style displayed in old Japanese boro, although at the time I didn't realize what I was doing, I simply sewed that way since it was easier and faster. I began wearing the patched shirt as something of an overshirt, something to act as an extra layer of fabric so I don't scrape myself if I fall while skating. I, like my brother, took a large interest in downhill skating, and would spend much time going at irresponsible speeds down the floors of whatever local multi-level parking garage was nearest. Many times I would crash (Big shoutout to my helmet for saving me from countless concussions and fractured skulls). And most times when I would crash, another part of my lovely patched shirt would sadly get torn and shredded. Wanting to keep on the "legacy" of the shirt, I continued patching it, a patch for every scrape the road has mercilessly raked into its fabric. To this day, while I do not skate as much as I used to before my life became more hectic and time-consuming, I still wear it regularly. The buttons have come off so many times that I long-since stopped bothering to sew them back on, and have taken to wearing it as something resembling a Japanese Haori, as I've realized that's the shape the shirt has slowly taken as the fabric has stretched from patching. I'm proud of this shirt and will wear it as long as I can, and for anyone who somehow lived long enough to read all of this, I applaud you, as well as highly recommend taking that iron-strength patience of yours and using it to start your own boro project from the next torn piece of clothing you consider throwing out. Happy sewing.

Hi! I don't know about Japanese technic , but in many states of India it is very common... our great grand mothers use to do this and they use to create unique works... Right at child birth, making mattress and shawls for the new born, then few pillow covers and sofa covers, some decoratives, coats, jackets, punjabi suits, frocks and lot more... They use to do the project from old stuff and some time they buy brand new fabrics and cut them into patches.... Sometimes people can't effort so they buy the cloth for kilograms from scrap of textile factories and then they make it... However they were the real artists.. And I inherited from my mom, grand mom and great grand mothers... Love them all

This is so freaking cool!!! Love how educational it was. Thanks Zoe ❤️❤️

My style is usually so neat and on point, but my life recently seems to have acquired boro texture, so I find this inspiration oddly compelling. Thanks Zoe, you're a godsend - I will surely try this technique

Thanks for the tutorial. I am so inspired by the boro garments in your tutorial. Love your asthetic and the color combos. I have always liked chunky stitching. Made a quilt with chunky circles stitched through random indigo and browns and gray. Thanks for the inspiration! Have a bunch of denim and a cast off brown wool suit from my husband that is going to make a boro style kimono/vest for wearing over my old t shirts this winter! I plan to use a bunch of homespun plaid quilt fabric scraps from my thimbleberries era and I think it will look shabby but cool.

That pair of dungarees with decorative running stitches! What an idea! I am going to steal it and start doing that on my old boring jeans. Thanks for the inspiration.

At your level of expertise, I'm surprised you don't make your own kimono....This is an excellent video and I was glad to hear your details plus your natural direct way of speaking to the viewer. Thank you! Your video will certainly help me a lot!

My first ever sewing project (age 16) was a quilt of denim from pants we had outgrown. The inside was a couple of old blankets and the back an old sheet. I have patched every wear and tear just as this technique you share. Rather than actually quilting it I used french knots in red crochet thread to bind the layers together. The stitching technique you shared I learned to do for quilting, I think its referred to as "rocking the needle." I think your coat is fabulous and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

Спасибо большое вам за помощь ! В вашем ролике я увидела очень много нового и интересного для себя ! 👍💝🌼 Я всегда говорю что творческие люди думают на одном языке ! 😍🙏

Loved it, I've been collecting old jeans, maybe I will start with a tote! Thank you for sharing!

I have a huge bag of scrap I’ve been keeping and now I know what to do with them!!! Thanks so much I learned loads!

Didn't know about Boros, they remind me of artist Robert Rauschenberg! Also love the you provided historical/cultural information about boros. I'm new to the fashion designing world but I'm definetely inspired. Thanks 😊😊

goddamn, you sketch straight up with copic? you professionals got money i see... (jk i love the choice of colors for your boro a lot wow

I love this coat! You could make a little business of custom Boro coats.

I love how detailed this video is! I don’t have a project like this to do YET, but I’m saving this video! Excellent tip about the cardstock on the ironing board!

I totally love your finished coat😍🥰❤️ I have many pieces in my wardrobe that are worn, ripped, patched or made from other patches of fabric and had no idea this was an actual thing. Thanks for sharing the Amuse Museum items as well as your process!!!! I loved this❤️👏🏻

Hi Zoe! Loved your video & the brief history, but it seemed very complicated to me. Wish there was a simplistic way for my mind to conceive the process. Your great cuz at the end you said to start small. & build 😊.

Love this video , thank you. Just starting an upscale clothing company

Such an inspirational and well made video with lots of historical info and how to get started on either a small project like just experimenting on a pair of jeans or a little bag. By the way I adore kimonos and love the idea of using one as a base for embellishing. I love your video:)

Lovely! Such a beautiful use for scrap fabric 💕

I enjoyed the heck out of this. I have a pretty hyper active imagination so this gave me an idea for a script. I have no idea what I'd do with it but I love having an excuse to write (I mostly do photography and digital art)

Love the info learned so much about the beautiful Japanese garments I see … thank you

That's what I saw in my dream. I fell asleep under two computers. I opened the door with the first computer, and there was another computer when I entered it. This is what I was wearing when I woke up. This dress seems to have been blanketed with a checkered sweater.

Found your Channel today and know I´´m crazy in love ....

Spectacular piece. Thanks for sharing your process.

This is just great! It is 100% not my aesthetic, it is very cool though, and something I could see one of my daughters really loving. I really appreciate how you went through the history, and the prices!

Love your video because I’m going to make one and you gave me the courage and ideas to do it. I’d love to see your kimono collection.

Fantastic coat, Zoe! and you are an excellent teacher. Thanks so much for this tutorial.

Wow this turned out so cool!

I'm very interested in Sashiko and am just now discovering BORO, which I LOVE!! I'm a crazy quilter, so they feel similar to me. I'm planning a trip to Japan with my fella and his mom, Sachiko next year. I would love to find a class/workshop to attend while there. Do you have any recommendations?

looooooveee it!! thanks for sharing, I will try this soon

This was so amazing, what an inspiration!

I always use the Japanese style of stitching I didn't even know that's what it was but its way faster for me

I love this sort of stuff, it's stunning!

This is an awesome coat! Great use of fabric. I was watching a documentary on fast fashion and I'm very disturbed by it. I wanted to use up-cycled materials for my personal projects and I'm currently looking for jeans to make my tote bag lol Keep it up GOOORRRRRLLLLL!

Only recently discovered your channel (which I love btw), but was so disappointed to find out that Ichiroya is out of business after clicking on the link. Do you have any other recommendations for where to get base kimonos? I know you mentioned some alternatives in the video, but was wondering more is any one in particular took the place of Ichiroya as your 'go to'? Also, on the off chance you do read this - THANK YOU so much for all your do, your videos (especially those on fabrics) have been so useful to me in learning about this stuff on the side.

This is beautiful!!

AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL! ❤️ it so much!

That looks AMAZING!!!!!🙌🏾

This was an awesome video- tutorial! Thank you SO much! Your sound was great, no him-hawing, straight to the point and lots of information. I never learned to sew more than some not-so-straight lines, but this I can do! I'm so excited. You're a great teacher!

Beautiful

Love your videos 💕 I’m learning a lot Keep it up 👍🏽

I love your style of speech...I feel like I’m listening to a standup comedian, at times. I’m working on a quilted coat and plan to use your instructions on Sashiko to enhance the coat. The quilt was given to me at 5 yrs old, but I wasn’t to use it until I was married (20). I’m now 64 and want to show my grandmother’s hand stitch work to the people I meet...to tell her story.

Very inspiring, and I love your style! 😁

I love you Zoe ❤you really inspired me a lot 😊 I want to become a Fashion designer but I can't find a fashion college in my state( Indianapolis ) and I can't go to another state , what do you think I should do ? 😅❤

"Back when Shoguns were in power.". LOL

Your tutorial is a blessing and a blissing. It has given me inspiration to make my own. I will be using an African theme to the boro coat I am making. It will take me a while, but I have already started purchasing the material I need. Thank you for posting this video

I relate to the up cycling box

I’m getting in to Shashiko!!! I’m loving how creative I can be with it and make it in to my own style. Boro is very interesting! First time I’m hearing about it and now I have to research!

I've been working on a boro quilt since i saw this vid, its not done (it is a king size blanket Im slowly hand sewing patches onto)

I love this video! Makes me think about back home. I love your Boro jacket! Thank you so much for sharing :)

Interesting, thank you😀

You should post a update of what the jacket looks like now

Love you video. Just recently heard of Boro, and now seeing your video I want to try making a jacket. Thanks😊

Mind blown. Love this. Stylish, eco, sustainable, and meditative. What's not to love?!

Super love.

Its like collaging a moodboard . Hahaha .....btw..... this boro is great.

Zoe, I love the Boro style Coat you made. Thank you for the great "how to" video. I am going to attempt creating a slightly shorter version... more a Jacket. I have a just purchased some fabric from "Indigo Niche", an Australian online shop that specialises in Japanese fabrics and clothing. Your video has re-inspired me and your tips will be soooo helpful too. I am now 70 years young and have been sewing since I was around 14 years old. Unfortunately I have only recently discovered Boroboro and am fascinated with the history and cultural sentiment. Thank you, beautiful lady.

Beautiful coat! Love the contrast red thread/stitches❤. How do you clean something like this?

I never get tired of reviewing this video. Thank you so much for the info and inspiration. ❤️

The holes in the denim patches are an exquisite touch. And so many snacks can be stored in them pockets.

The coat looks amazing and I love all the info you gave about the traditional techniques!! "Little stabs" is SUCH a mood, too ^_^

SUPER LUX 🌞 🕊️

Zoe, I've been thinking a lot about making a coat after this video first came out and I think I'm ready to take the plunge. Question though. What is your process of taking care of and cleaning your coat or the kimono when you first buy it. Dry clean, hand wash, or something else? Thank you for making videos. They are so informative and inspiring.

i could totally see this in a sacai or comme des garcon store

OH MY GOODNESS I LOVE THIS SOOOOO MUCH....but confused about the drawing in the beginning...help!!!

Hi Zoe. So glad that I found you. I've been into sashiko and boro as you can tell on my youtube channel. I just havent been quite brave enough to try the patches but I'm working on a gold jacket and I might use a few patches. The patches really give it a wonderful loved look.ill be watching your other videos and I subscribed to you too.

Very inspiring! A childhood friend grew up with her maternal grandmother living with them. From the outside it was a typical lakeside cottage, but once you walked thru the front door, you were transported to old Japan. It was quite a cultural education for me and my mom, and I’ve had a soft spot for all things Japan since

What a great video tutorial. I so appreciate all the effort you put into creating this. Thank you. I'm a huge fan of boro boro.

lol we had this class at school that taught skills like sewing and I remember getting really tired and bored from doing the way they taught it (western style) and just plowed through all the work quickly by doing the japanese method before I knew what it was lol. I seriously thought it was just a shortcut hahaa

I apparently have been doing Sachiko stitching in my youth, as that was the only way I repaired my clothing as a child

Stunning!!!! So glad I stumbled across this video...you are so inspiring!

So inspiring! I just followed you on Pinterest a few days ago and I’m glad I did. We have tons of similar interests in things and look forward to learning more from you. Thanks for the tutorial!

God I wish I had this skip set, I’ll make all my own clothes. Love noragis but can hardly find ones that fit my style. Kith does a great job at making them, but they’re rarely available. Same thing with pants, I would love to make all my stuff

incredibly inspiring! I just started working on a small boro garment and learned a lot from your video. Thanks!

my english foster mother taught me how to do this in 1974. never knew it was japanese, she called it needle weaving

Love love love this video. I love your style. You are so relaxed and talk like you are talking to friends.

So cool! Thank you for this lovely exploration and explanation of Boro. I come to this curious, with a background in regular quilting, recently inspired by the hand stitching of Kawandi and now discovering a while world of handstitched patch traditions!

This is great - lots of great ideas and passing down textile art.

Thank you for answering my unasked question….. what about matching the grain?…. Simple answer…. Don’t wash it ….

Thank you for your beautiful post. Actually I went to see this awsome exhibition in Amuse, Asakusa 3 years ago ? Unfortunately, the building where you could find all sorts of Japanese traditional items has closed, for lack of tourists... So sad.

I love it❤️

Thanks for the inspiration. The fabulous thing about Boro is that it is art in progress. It never gets done and that's the beauty of it. I found this video because I'm hunting for a pattern for a quilt jacket but can't find exactly what I'm looking for. I want to make something similar to Lady Lancaster's Aunt Ethel style jacket which is similar to a short kimono style. I am not planning on using a quilt like she does because I don't have any that would be to the point of cutting into so I was going to make the sections in a lose quilt style. I am going to raw edge random pieces together like you have done over thin batting and a backing fabric, find a pattern and make it into a jacket (step one lol) and then boro style hand stitch at my leisure. That way I can use it and add stitches when I feel like it. So maybe I will buy a cheap kimono to use as a pattern for the pieces. I can do everything else, but designing the pattern is not my wheelhouse. Love your relaxed style. Your jacket is stunning!

I have to admit l was pretty smug w/first discovering your channel l am a fashion illustrator/designer Adjunct and l was side eyeing your illustration style (you know catty fashion ppl.) But !! l have grown to really like your work to the point lm light weight obsessed w/all things Hong!

This was so much fun to watch! Thanks for sharing in such detail!

Wow!

this shall be useful in the on going 2020 apocalypse.

I'm watching this playlist for a couple da now and I'm so inspired by your work!! Thinking in use a old bathrobe that I have and completely patch it up with left over fabrics and denim parts that a collect

awesome video and coat. love it. I might use some ugly old flannels to make something similar lol. however I am curious, those are a lot of woven fabrics. how do you keep each patch from fraying? or maybe the point is to let them fray haha.

The edits are beautiful and I adore indigo....

Hi! Just came across this video and realized the kimono seller you linked isn't active anymore. Any other online sellers you would recommend?

Sadly when I went summer 2019 to Tokyo, the Amuse Museum was closed with no notice of reopening. I hope this was temporary. It would be very sad if it closed permanently!

i really appreciated the shogun age joke. Unexpected yet effective lmao

I love this video SO MUCH! Your Boro coat looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing this with us 😊❤️

I love this. I'm about to sew a dress and coat for my daughter and adding patchwork details with my scraps.

Oh yes I have seen these kimonos designed by a very famous Japanese designer & the price is sky high !! 🤦😆😂

Beautiful! Years ago I made some quilts out of deconstructed kimono. The fabrics are so great. I love what you've done with this coat!

Omg I love your kimono 👘 it’s looks so amazing 🤩

amazing. What are those other boro inspired brands you mention after Kapital? (at 2:30)