Stitch by Stitch with Jeff Jong, Where Fabric Holds Time

Previously, we spent time with local textile artist Jeff Jong, also known as JJ. His work is deeply rooted in patience, durability, and traditional handcraft, where fabric serves as both medium and message. Through Sashiko and patchwork techniques, JJ reimagines everyday objects, allowing time and material to quietly shape each piece.

His journey into making began in 2019 with a simple moment of frustration. After missing out on a handmade accessory by a Japanese craftsman that sold out instantly and was never reproduced, JJ decided to attempt making one himself. The result was imperfect, but it marked the beginning of a deeper relationship with working by hand. What started with remaking garments, bags, and accessories gradually expanded into a wider exploration of how fabric could exist beyond the body.

Today, JJ’s practice is grounded in tradition while remaining timeless in spirit. Sashiko is slow and repetitive by nature, and that pace is intentional. The layers, stitches, and subtle irregularities reflect the time invested in the process. For JJ, the work is never just about the final object, but about what is accumulated along the way. Patience, character, and appreciation are stitched directly into the surface.

Could you please introduce yourself and share the story of how you began working with fabric and handmade objects?

Jeff Jong: My name is Jeff Jong, or JJ in short. I work with handmade creative artwork using Sashiko and patchwork techniques, all based on fabric. I started by remaking garments, bags, and accessories, but over time I became more interested in exploring how fabric could integrate with different objects. Now I am open to all possibilities, as long as fabric can exist harmoniously within the form.

That openness is reflected in his reworked chair using Carhartt WIP Hamilton Brown patchwork fabric. A long time collector of vintage wooden furniture, JJ often views chairs as characters rather than static objects. Each carries its own presence and history. For this piece, he set out to create a new character entirely, using one of Carhartt WIP’s most recognisable colours as the foundation.

What’s the idea behind the reworked chair using Carhartt WIP Hamilton Brown patchwork fabric?

Jeff Jong: I’ve always loved collecting vintage wooden furniture, especially chairs. I often see them as characters, like characters in a movie. For this piece, I wanted to recreate a whole new character using Hamilton Brown, one of Carhartt WIP’s most iconic colours, through the look of patchwork.

Material choice plays an important role in the work. Carhartt WIP fabrics are known for their durability, which aligns naturally with JJ’s belief in creating objects that last. Patchwork adds strength through layering, allowing the piece to age slowly and meaningfully. It is not about preserving perfection, but about letting wear become part of the story.

Inspiration for JJ comes from observation and movement. He studies the work of craftsmen he admires, reads books and magazines on the history of Sashiko, and travels to experience handmade objects in their original cultural settings. These encounters shape his understanding of craft and allow him to adapt regional techniques into his own evolving practice.

Looking ahead, what new direction or projects are you excited to explore next?

Jeff Jong: I’ve always been interested in reworking interiors for classic vintage cars and exploring how textile craft could change the way we experience them. I’m also interested in creating human scale sculptures using Boro style Sashiko patchwork and pushing the technique further into sculptural forms.

Through JJ’s work, time is never hidden. It is visible in every stitch, every layer, and every decision made by hand. In a fast-moving world, his practice offers a quieter rhythm, reminding us that some things are meant to be built slowly and kept for a long time.

This editorial was captured during Jeff Jong’s reworking process at his studio located at Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.

Photographer & Videographer: Naj Shukor
Video Editor: KJ Lee