Bojagi: The Art of Korean Textiles

Quilters looking for a new challenge might want to try making bojagi, traditional Korean wrapping cloths made from different sizes and colors of fabric remnants that are sewn together to form patchwork designs. This volume, richly illustrated with both photographs and line drawings of patterns and techniques, begins with a history of the 2,000-year-old practice of bojagi. Textile artist Lee writes about her own family’s constructions and use of bojagi as well. Her book shows that most bojagi cloths consist of a single layer, but she gives special attention to multiple techniques for finished seams too. Bojagi designs range from simple geometric forms and complex curved pieces to freestyles. To store and protect more delicate pieces, a layer of batting and backing is necessary. Many of these designs require folding methods and other fabric manipulation. Yeouijumunbo, for example, uses a multilayer process similar to cathedral-window quilting. The book includes more than a dozen projects that come with clear instructions and templates.