Made by You: Japanese Boro Textile Stitching

A hands-on introduction to the Japanese art of visible mending, transforming fabric scraps into a one-of-a-kind stitched textile. 

Tickets to be made available soon.

Turn the old into new, with a little wabi-sabi

This workshop introduces participants to boro, a centuries-old Japanese textile tradition born from necessity, where worn or mended fabric was patched and stitched together layer by layer rather than discarded. We’ll start with a look at boro’s history and the philosophy behind it, including the idea of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection and visible signs of use.

From there, participants will learn foundational hand-stitching techniques, including running stitch and simple patch attachment, before designing their own layout using a mix of provided fabric scraps. Everyone will leave with a stitched textile piece of their own and a working knowledge of a technique they can keep building on at home.

Participants are welcome to bring fabric scraps from home with personal meaning, an old shirt, a worn pair of jeans, a piece of fabric with sentimental value, to incorporate into their piece. This is very much in the spirit of boro, and it makes each finished piece genuinely personal.

This class is for beginners of all skill levels, ages 10+, all supplies provided. 

About the Artist

Adam Cooley is an LGBTQIA+ artist and designer whose work spans painting, sculpture, film, fashion, interior design, and performance art. His fantastical imagery and symbolic storytelling have been showcased in galleries and museums worldwide, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Oxford Town Hall. Locally, his work can be seen at Zeitgeist Gallery (Durham) and Chapel Hill Town Hall, with upcoming exhibitions at Sertoma Art Center (Raleigh) and Cary Arts Center Gallery (Cary).

Need to Know:

• This workshop will take place outdoors on the Hub RTP Stage.
• This event is great for all ages 10 and older.
• Due to the small-scale format of this project, each participant needs to purchase their own ticket.

About Made by You:
Each month, Hub RTP partners with a talented local artist to bring you an intimate, hands-on workshop experience. You’ll explore a new art medium, create something beautiful to take home, and connect directly with the featured artist as they share their inspiration and process. Join us for one—or all—of these creative sessions, each offering a fresh opportunity to learn, make, and be inspired.

Note: By registering and participating in this event, you consent to the recording of your likeness, image, and/or voice and authorize Hub RTP to use photographs, video, and audio recordings containing your likeness, image, and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.