Bojagi

Bojagi are Korean textiles used to wrap, cover, carry or store things. Some are cut from a single piece of cloth, while others are pieced together from small scraps. The way shapes and colours are arranged gives many of them the look of an abstract composition, which is why textile artists and quilters have taken to the form today. This book is a guide to making them.

Youngmin Lee, an experienced artist and educator, walks through the traditional techniques and materials step by step. She also traces the history of bojagi in Korean culture, from the Joseon dynasty onward, and shows how it still has a place in everyday Korean life.

The instruction covers hand stitching, seam finishes and decorative motifs. It also covers a range of fabrics, from ramie, hemp and cotton to silk and naturally dyed, eco-printed cloth.

A set of illustrated projects with a contemporary twist puts these skills to use, including gift wrap, wall hangings, cushions and accessories. Each one stays faithful to the older traditions of Korean textile work.