Quilting Books
Best Japanese Quilting & Boro Quilting Books
Japanese quilting and boro books teach sashiko stitching and the mended, patched textile tradition of rural Japan.
All japanese quilting & boro books
Boro & Sashiko, Harmonious Imperfection: The Art of Japanese Mending & Stitching
Shannon Leigh Roudhán & Jason Bowlsby
An exploration of boro mending and sashiko stitching that pairs historical and cultural background with hands-on technique instruction. Covers traditional stitch patterns, mending approaches, and how to bring a visible-mending aesthetic into modern textile work. Suited to stitchers interested in both the technique and the Japanese textile history behind it.
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Japanese Quilting: Sashiko
Hiromitsu Takano
A technique-focused guide to sashiko stitching, presenting traditional geometric and pictorial stitch patterns with diagrams for reproducing them. Covers the running-stitch method central to sashiko and its use in both garment work and quilted textiles. A reference for stitchers seeking authentic traditional patterns rather than a beginner-only primer.
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Mending with Boro
Harumi Horiuchi
A guide to boro-style mending, focused on patching and reinforcing worn textiles with layered fabric and visible stitching. Presents the practice as both a repair method and a decorative technique rooted in Japanese folk textile tradition. Aimed at stitchers interested in mending garments and household textiles rather than piecing full quilts.
See detailsThe Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook
Susan Briscoe
A comprehensive reference on sashiko from quilt author Susan Briscoe, covering traditional stitch pattern libraries, tools, and application to garments and quiltmaking. Organized as a pattern sourcebook rather than a single project list, making it useful for looking up specific traditional motifs. Suited to stitchers who want a broad pattern reference alongside technique instruction.
See detailsSashiko & Boro Stitching: Carry-Along Reference
Pepper Cory
A compact, carry-along reference on sashiko and boro stitching from quilt author Pepper Cory. Condenses core stitch patterns and technique notes into a portable format for quick lookup rather than an in-depth project guide. Useful as a companion reference for stitchers already working on sashiko or boro projects.
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Japanese Quilting, Piece by Piece
Yoko Saito
A project and technique book from noted Japanese quilt designer Yoko Saito, known for subdued color palettes and precision piecing. Presents patchwork projects built up piece by piece, reflecting the meticulous approach associated with Japanese quiltmaking. Suited to quilters drawn to Japanese aesthetic sensibility and exacting piecing technique.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best japanese quilting & boro quilting book?+
Look for the book marked "Teresa's Pick" at the top of this page — that's NiftyFifty founder Teresa Drummond's personal recommendation for japanese quilting & boro. Below it you'll find 6 more books covering the same category from different authors and angles.
Do I need more than one japanese quilting & boro book?+
Not usually. Most quilters do fine with one solid reference for a given technique — pick the one whose author's teaching style clicks with you, work through it, and only add a second if you outgrow the first or want a different perspective.