Going Inward

Since my last post I have found myself in a very introverted mood. I know why, and won't bore you with the details, but suffice to say that the pojagi work, light and airy in nature, and something that requires me to take lots of back and forth trips from sewing machine to iron to cutting table, just wasn't lining up to how quiet, still and inward I have been feeling.


And so I put the pojagi aside and began to work on some very small pieces that allowed me to just naturally go inward.


Something about just being able to sit at the machine, and 'paint' with little bits of fabric feels more in sync with my current state of being.


So for now, this is where I am. Not sure how long this will last, and am well aware at how swiftly my work can change direction depending upon my moods. Having this blog and sharing what I do makes me at times a bit self conscious about my how fickle I can seem about my work. My hat is off to people who can keep their focus on one area for long periods of time. Despite my best intentions, I obviously am not one of them!

Having Fun with Tea and Pojagi

This week as I continue to play with and explore pojagi, I turn to the humble tea bag, which only makes sense as we drink a lot of tea in this house! By letting the tea bag dry, then opening it up and removing the leaves, you are left with a delicate tea stained piece of paper that can be stitched or collaged. (If this concept is new to you, just google "tea bag art" to see some great images.)


Because the stitched paper is very delicate and prone to an easy and unwanted rip, I applied a thin coat of beeswax to the piece after it was stitched. The beeswax coating gives it some more durability, while also increasing it's transparency and color.


To make it easy to hang I sewed on little tabs from strips of folded tea bag paper and inserted a thin piece of bamboo. (And isn't that stain on the upper left corner pretty?!)

Reversible Patched Pojagi Runner

Here's my latest Pojagi work...


This time around I wanted something with a bit more weight, as I was primarly interested in creating a more substantial feeling cloth. So, I started with a heavier shot cotton, (from Robert Kaufman's Carolina Chambray collection).


Being that it's a very dark color, and a quilt weight fabric, it doesn't have the same transparency as my previous pojagi pieces where I used lighter weight shot cottons, (from Kaffe Fassett) however it has some transparency and still looks pretty hung in a window.


For this piece the seams are opened up, tucked under and sewn down with a zig-zag stitch.


I came up with this method of stitching the seams last year, and I like to use this particular method when I want a more 'utilitarian' look. (You can find a "how-to" tutorial for the two types of machine stitched Pojagi seams that I use here).


In keeping with the 'utilitarian' look, I appliqued patches on both sides. Here is one side shown above...

and the other side shown below...


I like how not only the patches on the facing side add a design element, but also how the stitching from the patches on the opposite side come through, adding another element of line and shape.


Reversible Patched Pojagi Runner is now available for sale in my shop.

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Summertime Simplicity

The temperature here has spiked into the 90's and just like last summer, my desire to make heavy quilted pieces has been replaced with the urge to stitch simple lightweight Pojagi patchwork.


For those of you who may be new to my blog, or those of you like myself with memory that isn't always the best, Pojagi, (also known as Bojagi or Bojaki) and pronounced Po-Jah-ki, is a very old form of Korean patchwork.


I adore Pojagi for so many reasons...


It is simplicity at its best. A thin patchwork cloth. All seams enclosed. Both sides beautiful.


When held to the light it becomes transformed.


Eco-friendly in nature, Pojagi is often used for the practical purpose of a wrapping cloth, such as to wrap a small gift item, or to wrap and carry ones lunch, (once unwrapped it serves as a place mat).

Now I ask you... what's not to love about Pojagi?!

To see a wonderful video featuring the acclaimed Korean Pojagi Artist, Chunghie Lee and how she has pushed the boundaries of this ancient form of stitch work, go here.

You can see my past Pojagi work here, and stay tuned for more, as Pojagi is what I plan to be stitching all summer long!

PS. Yes, my blog break is officially over!