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Here’s a new, precious Japanese craft book I scored during the Big Crafty Weekend. It’s about small-scale patchwork, which seems to be becoming a big theme in Japanese craft books.
I’m getting super enamored with this idea myself, since I’d love to quilt, but may never actually have the time to make a full-size one.
This is an adorable tea cozy, shaped a bit like a milk carton. Isn’t that fun? With a project this size, you can even machine-quilt in fancy patterns without needing a special sewing machine.
Patchwork really walks a fine line, I think – it can be beautiful, but it can also be too countrified for my tastes. In this book, things are kept clean and modern with the use of bold, graphical fabrics and lots of typography.
This mat involves a series of overlapping appliques. The edges of the fabrics are not finished, so these motifs will fray a little over time – how cool will that look?
I also love this idea of a smaller patchwork motif built into a larger item. Those little hexagons are like gems – perfect, tiny showcases for pretty fabrics.
Speaking of bags, you can bet this one floated my boat. Must find some large embroidered applique patches to combine with yo-yos. Stat. And, what a pretty idea to put solid yo-yos over a print fabric!
Here are some more hexagons, this time in a charming book cover. My next spiral notebook might just get one of these.
And last but perhaps cutest, this sewing bag. At this scale, you can do even a complex piecing project like this in way less time. My toes, they are a-tingling.
This one is ISBN 978-4-579-11223-4 It has an English title, My Quilt Diary.
This book looks awesome! I, too, would love to explore quilting, but I don’t want to invest in a lot of fabric and my space is limited. These small projects would be great for me. :) Thanks for the review!
This book looks awesome! I, too, would love to explore quilting, but I don’t want to invest in a lot of fabric and my space is limited. These small projects would be great for me. :) Thanks for the review!
Ditto what futuregirl said! A lovely, lovely book; if only I could afford to buy it….
Ditto what futuregirl said! A lovely, lovely book; if only I could afford to buy it….
Those are all so cute, but I especially love the tea cozy!
Those are all so cute, but I especially love the tea cozy!
This looks wonderful, love the colors.. xoxo
This looks wonderful, love the colors.. xoxo
I love the book and would love to make several of the projects. HOwever I can not find it on Amazon or Powells. Any suggestions?
I love the book and would love to make several of the projects. HOwever I can not find it on Amazon or Powells. Any suggestions?
Rebecca, these Japanese books are generally not available from US bookstores. I get them at a chain called Kinokuniya, which has stores in some US cities. You can order from Amazon Japan, too, although shipping fees are steep.
You might also check the sidebar of this website for more suggestions on where to get Japanese craft books in the US: http://craftlog.org/craftingjapanese/
Rebecca, these Japanese books are generally not available from US bookstores. I get them at a chain called Kinokuniya, which has stores in some US cities. You can order from Amazon Japan, too, although shipping fees are steep.
You might also check the sidebar of this website for more suggestions on where to get Japanese craft books in the US: http://craftlog.org/craftingjapanese/
Oh I love that sewing bag! It looks similar to a pattern I created for a beaded barrette years ago. Love that.
Oh I love that sewing bag! It looks similar to a pattern I created for a beaded barrette years ago. Love that.
Hey what a surprise!, I bought this book like two months ago I was browsing as usual in some of the Tokyo book stores and i fall in love inmediatly, I made a mouse pad inspired in one of the book project, was my first quilt and was very well, you can find lot of interesting books here in Tokyo of course you can spend a lot of time in the store because there are hundres, I usually dedicated one day to go to the book store.
Hey what a surprise!, I bought this book like two months ago I was browsing as usual in some of the Tokyo book stores and i fall in love inmediatly, I made a mouse pad inspired in one of the book project, was my first quilt and was very well, you can find lot of interesting books here in Tokyo of course you can spend a lot of time in the store because there are hundres, I usually dedicated one day to go to the book store.