Jogakbo
Jogakbo · Seams & stitches
Running stitch
홈질homjil
The basic Korean running stitch, used for most seams and for quilting lines.
- Meaning
- From 홈 'groove' + -질 'act of doing' (folk etymology; not confirmed in the sources).
- Used for
- Seams of lined and single garments; joining a pieced top to its lining; quilting lines
The most basic stitch: evenly spaced stitches through the layers.
- 1Hold two layers together in the left hand.
- 2Load about three small stitches onto the needle.
- 3Push the cloth back while pushing the needle forward, then pull through.
- 4Repeat with even spacing.
History & tradition
Ancient; documented in Korean sewing manuals such as Kim Suk-dang's 1925 조선재봉전서
The encyclopedia calls it the foundation of Korean sewing; it was used for most garment seams. Before sewing machines arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, all Korean clothes and household cloths were sewn by hand, and needlework was a core skill taught to girls. In bojagi it joins tops to linings and runs the lines of quilting.
Taught first in every hanbok and bojagi class.
The etymology of 홈질 is not explained in the encyclopedia; treat the 'groove' reading as uncertain.
Sources for this entry
박음질bakeumjil