Bojagi or Pojagi – Korean Patchwork

Bojagi means wrapping cloth. Many bojagi are made from a solid piece of fabric, but some are made by piecing together fabric remnants into a patchwork. One of the most striking aspects of bojagi (also written as pojagi) is that the seams are done in a way so it looks “done” from both sides of the fabric. It is different from other quilting styles made from three layers of fabric. It means bojagi looks delicate but it is actually very strong, and was used to wrap and carry many types of objects.

You can listen to my podcast episode about bojagi in this YouTube video. It originally aired in January 2019.

Learn more about gift wrapping with fabric in this Trashmagination podcast episode

Bojagi Exhibit at the Korean Cultural Center

In January and February 2019, the Korean Cultural Center in Washington DC hosted an exhibit called Tradition Transformed, featuring the bojagi art of Kumjoo Ahn, Julia Kwon and Wonju Seo. I was thrilled to listen to their presentations at the exhibit opening. Here are photos I took at the exhibit.

The Words in my Colors - Bojagi piece by Wonju Seo - featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019 — The Words in my Colors – Bojagi piece by Wonju Seo – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019

White Wonderland - Bojagi piece by Wonju Seo - featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019 — White Wonderland – Bojagi piece by Wonju Seo – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019

Ramie Bojagi by Kumjoo Ahn - featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019 — Ramie Bojagi by Kumjoo Ahn – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019

Blue Wall Hanging Bojagi by Kumjoo Ahn (close-up) - featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019 — Blue Wall Hanging Bojagi by Kumjoo Ahn (close-up) – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019

Bojagi by Julia Kwon - featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019 — Bojagi by Julia Kwon – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019

Like Any Other: No. 55 (Reclining Nude) - by Julia Kwon (close-up) - featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019 — Like Any Other: No. 55 (Reclining Nude) – by Julia Kwon (close-up)- featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019

Here are some links and videos about these artists:

Kumjoo Ahn’s website

Julia Kwon’s website

Julia’s exhibit calendar – many exhibits in the DC area in 2019

Wonju Seo’s website

My First Bojagi

I watched a tutorial by Vivika Hansen DeNegre to learn how to sew bojagi with my sewing machine. My first piece was made with upholstery samples that were used by interior designers to plan curtains.