Bojagi: The Art Of Korean Textiles

Bojagi are Korean wrapping cloths—used to carry, cover, protect, and give. Some are made from a single piece of fabric. Others, called jogakbo, are pieced together from scraps—small fragments stitched into something whole.

In this book, Youngmin Lee walks through both the history and the practice of bojagi. You’ll get a sense of how these textiles were used in everyday life during the Joseon Dynasty, along with clear, approachable guidance on how to start making your own.

There’s real technique here—hand stitching, seam finishes, material choices—and a handful of projects that build on those skills.

What we keep coming back to is the relationship to material. Especially with jogakbo, nothing is wasted. Small pieces are saved, reconsidered, and brought together through careful, deliberate stitch.

You’ll start to see connections to other traditions too—kantha, visible mending, and so many forms of repair that show up across cultures.

It’s a practical book, but it also quietly shifts how you look at the fabric in front of you.