Boro Inspired Reversible Vest Pattern

The Boro Inspired Reversible Vest Pattern by Jane MacDonald is a beautifully designed wearable art project that celebrates the timeless traditions of Japanese boro and sashiko stitching. First released in 2017, this reversible vest combines thoughtful design, sustainable making, and expressive textile techniques to create a garment that is as meaningful to make as it is to wear.

Inspired by the Japanese practice of repairing and strengthening textiles through visible stitching and layered fabrics, this pattern encourages you to give treasured fabrics, hand-dyed cloth, and well-loved textiles a new life. Every vest becomes a unique reflection of its maker, rich in texture, history, and personal creativity.

Designed with a comfortable, easy-to-wear silhouette, the fully reversible vest offers two distinctive looks in one garment. The pattern also includes instructions for creating a coordinating textile brooch, adding a beautiful finishing touch.

This is not a quick sewing project—it's an invitation to slow down, enjoy the process, and create something truly one of a kind.

Design Features

• Fully reversible vest design
• Comfortable, relaxed silhouette
• Inspired by traditional Japanese boro and sashiko techniques
• Encourages creative fabric layering and visible hand stitching
• Includes instructions for a matching textile brooch
• A mindful project celebrating slow stitching and sustainable sewing

Recommended Fabrics

This pattern is especially suited to fabrics that reflect traditional Japanese textiles, including:

• Yarn-dyed cottons
• Tsumugi fabrics
• Yukata fabrics
• Shibori-dyed textiles
• Kasuri fabrics
• Vintage or repurposed Japanese fabrics

Looser weave fabrics are recommended to make hand stitching through multiple layers easier while maintaining a comfortable finished garment.

Fabric Requirements

Reverse Side of Vest

• 2.5 metres (2.75 yards) print fabric

Outer (Boro) Side

• Approximately 2.8 metres (3 yards) assorted fabrics
• Vintage Japanese blue and white yukata fabrics are recommended, or use coordinating fabrics from your own collection.

Brooch

• 8cm (3in) square of 5mm wash-out dot grid fabric
• 5cm (2in) square of quilt batting or wadding

Notions Required

• Sashiko thread
• Long sashiko needle
• Sashiko thimble
• Basting thread
• Hera marker or erasable fabric marker suitable for dark fabrics
• Lightweight fusible interfacing
• Strong craft glue (such as Helmar 450)
• Brooch kit HC-1 (available from BeBe Bold)