learning pojagi

 

I just keep adding to this piece, not sure where it's going yet!

I learned about the Korean quilting technique called pojagi (also written as bojagi) this year. The first person who told me about it is my studio assistant Linh. She said it's similar to a flat felled seam and it makes a finished edge on both sides that is very strong. She demonstrated a way to try it where you trim the seam down and then turn it, press it, and stitch it down on the other side. I watched a tutorial online where you can line the fabric edges up about 1/4" from the edge to skip the trimming step and have been doing it this way. It's less accurate (in my experience) because I'm just eyeing the seam allowance instead of intentionally lining it up. 

my first try at pojagi using linen naturally dyed scraps

 

This is definitely not a traditional recreation of the very beautiful, very intricate pojagi textiles that are traditional in Korea. I learned a bit about the origins of this technique online and amazed by the hand stitched pieces I've seen. These curtains are more of a my own take to create a stained glass effect and way to utilize my naturally dyed fabric scraps. I was really inspired by the beautiful curtains made by Freja Lowe that I saw on Instagram. Her work is just amazing and her studio in Copenhagen is soo dreamy.

 

 

a piece I'm working on from cotton gauze naturally dyed scraps

 

Here are some photos of beautiful pojagi works that really inspire me.

An antique pojagi cloth

Niki Tsukamoto of Lookout and Wonderland

I loved how Niki described her inspiration of this project and the history of pojagi on her Instagram:

 

"The concept behind this work is developed from the original mythology arising from the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC–668 AD) in Korea. The idea existed then that anything wrapped inside this bojagi style cloth was kept safe and would bring the receiver good luck. This belief imparted a practical magic on the simple patched cloth,the creator’s concern and respect for the receiver stitched directly into the cloth. This resonated very deeply with me as and so the work places a focus not on exacting technique, but on imbuing the items in our life with a sense of magic and purpose. The intention is to create a reassuring touch stone of trust through fabric instilled with mythology and magic, consciously binding trust and love with each stitch. This first large scale piece was made in 2016 for dear friends who needed privacy and I felt a deep need to provide protection for them."

 

Adam Pogue