Japanese Quilting Magazines - Quilts Japan

Do you love making blocks?  How wonder it would be if your blocks can be sewn into other quilted items besides quilts!  Quilts Japan can show you how.  I probably am hearing comments like "I don't know how to read Japanese!", "What?  Japanese?"  Well! Don't let the language barrier deter you!

The magazines have many illustrations to guide you through the sewing process.  If you can sew block patterns and a simple bag, you'll have no problem with the patterns inside these magazines.

In the September 2009 issue of Quilts Japan, you'll find patterns on how to turn your Kaffe Fassett fabrics into beautiful bags and book covers.  In addition, there are patterns for tea cozies and place mats using your floral prints.

Have you an unfinished chenille fabric project on your shelf?  How about making a bag with chenille fabric with the July 2007 issue of Quilts Japan.

These are just a few ideas from these Japanese quilting magazines.

Each magazine is  USD$8/ each + shipping.




Happy Quilting!!

Mid March Finishes!

I've been taking morning walks lately to enjoy the perfect spring weather we've been having!  Therefore, haven't done much in quilting except for completing two small sewing projects.

 Yuwa oilcloth was used for this particular bag.  It's quite sturdy and perfect for those rainy day grocery trips!  Thank you, Hana, for sharing this bag pattern.

I made this Bella stuff doll in celebration of the Year of the Rabbit!   Thank you, Peggy, for sharing this pattern!


More WIP to finish this month....!

The Getaway Quilted Bag

Here's the bag I'm entering in the Purse Week contest hosted by A Lemon Squeezy Home. 

The inspiration behind this bag was to transform a quilting technique into something of beauty and function.


I took 11 pieces of fabric and used the stack and shuffle technique to make this bag.  Six blocks formed the front panel of this quilted bag.  Free motion quilted with metallic thread.

Three stack and shuffle blocks made up the three open pockets on the back panel.  As the name implies, the entire bag was quilted to give it shape while maintaining a degree of softness that's gentle to touch!

The side-views here show two additional open pockets.  They are great for storing your cellphone and car keys.  Notice the pocket in the left photo.  The pocket opening is asymmetrical.  It was designed especially this way to reduce bulk on the seam allowance when all the panels are sewn together. 

Here's the view of the zipper treatment for the bag opening! 

Another reason that I love making my own bag is that I can customize the lining to my specification.  There are three open pockets plus a zipper compartment to store my personal items. 

Bag measurement:  15.5" x 10.5" x 4"

Fabric used:  Japanese and Rowan cotton fabric, Japanese yarn dyed fabric

Leather straps:  24" long

Last but not least..... Special thanks to my quilting teacher, Ms. Wu, for teaching me the stack and shuffle technique and guiding me through the completion of this bag.

Oilcloth Tote

This is my first oilcloth tote made possible by participating in a tote bag quilt along hosted by Hana.    I've had these oilcloth for ages.  Though they are not Cath Kidton's design, the color and print are timeless classics.

I encountered a few technical difficulties while making this tote. First, it was difficult to run the oilcloth under the foot because the foot grips the oilcloth. Usually you can just buy a "leather foot" designed for sewing specialty fabrics like leather and oilcloth. I didn't want to spend the extra money on this accessory. So, I remembered that there was one fellow blogger who had suggested placing a piece of paper on top of the oilcloth to help the foot "glide" through the fabric. I tried it but didn't work that well; plus I would had to tear off the paper afterwards. Then I remembered seeing one seamstress placing a drip of sewing machine oil on top of the oilcloth. It worked. But got to remember to use a larger size needle and adjust the stitch length to about 3 (on my Bernina)

The second problem I had was that the seams wouldn't stay tucked under because I didn't want to pin the seams fearing that the pins would have left holes on the oilcloth.  Hence the solution of using   double-sided tape (designed for fabric use) to tape down the seams. 

After thought:  We had rain on and off during the end of May and beginning of June.  This oilcloth tote sure came in handy on those rainy days.  I love it!