Slow Stitching Retreat, Maine :: 3 :: Beautiful Blue Boro with Samantha Lindgren

September 5, 2015

Day three of the retreat was a half day of stitching with Samantha on the porch. You couldn't have asked for a more lovely time! Samantha did a show and tell of some authentic Japanese boro pieces that she owns and then some of her personal boro patches. Everything was passed around. I think this is the first time I've ever handled a Japanese boro piece. It was quite fragile, so it was an honor to be able to touch it.

We talked about the various types of thread to use and ways to patch. We each got a sweet homemade goodie bag with lots of useful stuff, including some sashiko thread. I still haven't tried mine because I had already planned to do my boro with embroidery floss. Samantha suggested that for long lasting boro patches on clothing a stronger thread should be used such as perle cotton, sashiko thread or a heavy quilting thread.

Several people had brought clothing with holes that needed patching. Elizabeth's skirt was a wonder of patching! It's full of floral patches, so much so, that someday it will be less denim and more quilting cottons!

Emily had a wonderful collection of Japanese indigo pieces that she has collected in Japan, including this kimono jacket that Carolyn decided to try on.

Chatting and stitching on a lazy Saturday morning in Maine. What could be better?

Elizabeth brought this absolutely gorgeous book bu Junko Oki. Take a look at Oki's website! The book is chock full of amazing free form embroidery work.

My boro was done with an intentionally made hole that I stitched around with embroidery floss. My work was done on pieces that are intended to be used as textile art, so I wasn't concerned about the strength of the thread.

Following are student examples of work, some done as functional patches on jeans and other clothing, some done as practice pieces. I just love the variety and spontaneity of this work!

After lunch we all took a field trip to a couple of quilt shops along the coast. First stop was Clementine in Rockland. What a beautiful shop!

I got some Maine yarn, some fabric and Carolyn's Nest Egg Tote pattern.

Our second stop was at Fiddlehead Artisan Supply in Belfast. Another fantastic shop in Maine! They have no shortage of great shopping for artists and crafters. Here I got some Cotton and Steel fabric and my Maine patriotic fabric.

I don't think I've ever mentioned that I am collecting a patriotic (or at least red, white and/or blue) fabric from each state in the US. I've had this project going since 2003. There are some states that I've been to before that time that I don't have fabric for, so my list of states that I've gotten fabric from is shorter than the list of states I've actually been too, but I am up to 37 states that I've gotten so far. I managed to get Maine, Rhode Island, Iowa and Nebraska on this trip. I'm not in a hurry to get them, but it's nice to have a goal.

Since Sunday was mainly for breakfast and goodbyes, I will end my report here with a photo of the whole group on the lodge stairs. It was truly a magical retreat filled with laughter and fun. It was great to meet some more members of my tribe! Maybe it will be in the cards for me to attend next year, but I'll always have wonderful memories of this year. Also, many of these ladies are planning to attend QuiltCon next year, so we'll probably have a reunion there. Won't that be great!