Furoshiki Bags

It's actually titled, "Lunch Case"

While at the Tokyo International Quilt Festival, I bought a kit for a cute little zippered bag.  I usually resist those impulses, because I really enjoy quilting, not sewing clothes, pillows or other projects that involve a sewing machine.  However, this is too adorable.  The finished product looks like a furoshiki (wrapping) cloth has been tied up to carry an item. 

If I don't start on the project immediately I know it will just sit in my cabinet for years.  So the day after the Quilt Festival I start to work on it. I don't really consider that the instructions will be in Japanese until after I purchase it...but it should still be okay - in general, Japanese are precise and accurate, it should be easy to figure out how to assemble the bag once I translate the directions....right?  I open up the information and my Google Translate app. 

Forty-five minutes later, I have the nine steps in English, "relatively."  See if this makes any sense to you, "Create a middle table and return the surroundings to the sewing table."  So on some of the more "gibberish" type information, instead of translating a sentence, I take it one symbol at a time, then look at two together, etc, to see if I can cause the app give a better definition.  And yes, I could have asked someone to help me, but sometimes I'm stubborn about just doing it myself.  Later when I talk with a friend, she tells me pattern guidelines are not usually well written here.  I would agree with her!

The directions...with my translation and notes

More explanations

When I don't want to use the 505 adhesive spray - it will be all over the fabric.

Using the internet, I find online plans for several types of zippered bags, which may help me to remember how the lining and outer cloth should be attached to the zipper.  I decide I might understand better as I work on it, so I start cutting and sewing.  I haven't dealt with zippers for about 10 years, but I remember how Wonder Tape makes it easier.  It's a 1/4" double sided, wash-away tape that allows you to hold the zipper in place for sewing, without having to use pins.  I feel vindicated about moving all my quilting supplies to Tokyo with me, since I happen to have a roll of Wonder Tape ready to use...only to discover it's so old, the adhesive no longer sticks.  Bummer!  But wait...I have adhesive spray (505), so I spray some on the tape and use it to hold the fabric and zipper in place.  This serves me well until I need to sew the fabric on the other side of the zipper.  I don't want the spray to get on the fabric (though it washes out, I don't plan to wash the bag when I'm finished).  At this point it's too late to run out to a store to see if they even sell Wonder Tape in Japan, and I hate to stop my forward progress.  Then I remember I have Magic Sizing, which I use as an adhesive to hold applique shapes in place.  I spray some in the cap, use a toothpick, and apply it to the tape...and it's successful!  I'm up to step 5.
 

Looks good at this point!

Finally sewing the 1 cm in the precise spot!

Now I'm completely stuck.  I stare at the procedures (Mark aside quadrant aside.  Sew 1 cm.) for at least an hour, trying to comprehend it and the (pencil-drawn) diagram.  I try sewing in a couple of places, but nothing makes sense.  Steve comes over, takes a look and gives a suggestion...and it's correct!  My hero!  I love being married to an engineer.

I have another issue with step 7, as I try to figure out where the handles should be sewn.  (Remember the middle table instruction above?  That's what it's in reference to.)  Again, the little drawings don't provide a lot of assistance.  Finally it hits me - I feel the same way as I do when solving a puzzle during an Escape Room game -
                                                            and I realize how to finish assembling it. 

Putting the handle in the appropriate place - be careful not to catch the tip when sewing the other side!

Almost there!

Sides are square-ish.

The procedures end abruptly, without explaining how to fold up the sides and attach them.  Step 9, the final one, simply says, "Arrange it so the sides are square."  I fold it like wrapping a present, and hand stitch it in place.

I review how to tie a square knot, fasten up the handles, and it's finished!  I did it!  It's almost the same as the one I saw at the vendor's booth, except it's taller and not as long.  I'm unsure if the zipper is sewn in the correct position...maybe it's supposed to be on the long side?   I estimate it took me about 10 hours from translating the instructions to the finish product. 
 

Wooh!  I did it!

The equivalent to Wonder Tape.

It's got to go faster next time!  So I decide to sew another one before I forget how to do it.  One of my friends from my quilting group is returning home in a month, so I stitch it together as a gift for her....after I go to the store to check on Wonder Tape!  They don't sell it here, but they do have a similar product.  It's much easier this time - about three hours to create it.  

The finished products!

I think it will be awhile before I have the courage to construct the purse from the (Japanese) pattern I bought at the Quilt Festival!

Tokyo International Quilt Festival 2017 - Part 3

1st place - Original Design

The quilt that wins first place in original design is a nice mix of styles - the typical colors of Japanese quilts are pieced as a background, with colorful fabrics depicting the flower applique.  The straight background pieces juxtapose nicely with the curving leaves and petals.   

We have a giggle over the 3rd place quilt - if you look closely in the center top third of the quilt (below the sailboat), you see a piece of paper that says (in English), "remove cover after jurying."  We're pretty sure the paper was placed on the quilt to cover an identifying signature of the maker during judging (quilts are supposed to be anonymous) and that the paper is supposed to be removed before the quilt goes on display.  However, there is English writing on the quilt, so we're not 100% certain and we don't say anything (and wouldn't it be written in Japanese in that case??).  On our second trip to the show we go by to check out the quilt - and the paper is gone.  We were correct!

With the paper cover...

...without the paper cover.

the artist of the quilt above

This is my favorite of the original designs.  The gold sky looks gorgeous.  Sometimes it seems like the quilters know the color of the wall that the quilt will be mounted on and pick their fabrics accordingly.  This one is a perfect match!

That's the wall along the edges, not a fabric border.

On my second visit, I attend with my quilt group, who decides to meet at the show around 11:00am so we don't have to wait in the opening line.  However, the festival is packed today!  Possible bad weather was predicted on the opening day of the show, so that helped to keep the numbers down.  This is the first weekday since then, so all the housewives are here while their husbands are at work.  It stays very busy until around 4:00pm, when they return home.  Even though people are considerate about trying to stay out of your way for photos, it's so crowded it's hard to get a good picture.  I walk around at the end of the day to take some new ones, and to get a chance to spend more time at the quilts I appreciate.

Wall to wall people!

In the traditional category I like this one best.  It's common to see blue with pink cherry blossoms.  (Though last year the skies were overcast every day while the trees were blooming...fingers crossed this year I'll see blue skies with the sakura!) 

I wonder if she dyed the background fabric
or bought it this way?

Look at those itty, bitty, points!

Last year I loved the framed quilts, and I still think it's a great idea for a quilt competition category.  I didn't favor as many of them this year - like I said before, most of the quilts at the show just didn't appeal to me.  I do enjoy this framed quilt, probably because I've lived in a major city for over a year.

Feels like home!

Tokyo Quilt Festival also has a bag/purse division.  Below is the first place winner...but I don't understand why it won.  The piecing doesn't look complicated, and it's not a difficult design.  I'm obviously missing something....

Winner??

closer look at the #1 purse

Here are some more of the bags in the show...maybe you can figure out why the other purse won.

Bags...

...and more bags. 

The "Wa" category is the most unique classification out of all the big quilt shows.  I thought this meant the quilts are supposed to represent tranquility and peace, but a friend tells me they just need to have Japanese fabric in them.  She said these quilts used to always win big if they were entered at the Houston show, but now it's more common to see the wa-nuno (Japanese fabric) like shibori and chirimen at the US shows.

The 2nd place winner reminds me of some quilts my guild back home is making.  They recently had The Pizza Ladies do a workshop, and the style looks very similar.  I'll have to let them know they should think about entering their quilts at the Tokyo Quilt Festival...

typical of a Japanese quilt - blues & taupes

This is the wa quilt I prefer.  The Japanese fabrics look beautiful when used as applique.  The artist also puts in some cute details - little creatures hanging out.   Once again, an artist who picks fabrics that look fantastic when placed against the (green) background wall.

This may be my favorite of the competition quilts.

Look carefully - you don't want to be stung!

creepy crawlies in the vine

 

Here's another wa quilt, made up of half hexagons (hexies).  This gives it a nice watercolor effect.

I'd call this tranquil and relaxing!

See the half hexies with Japanse fabric?

There is a Wizard of Oz exhibit, but it isn't very impressive.  They also have a special display of American antique quilts from the International Quilt Study Center and Museum out of Nebraska.  Unfortunately, no pictures allowed (and the "guards" are patrolling the area) but it's nice to see so many Baltimore Album quilts from the early 1800s.  

There are other presentations, too, including one section of featured artists.  I think this is a charming use of Hawaiian applique!  Maybe I'll try to make my own dress (um, nice idea...but probably not going to happen).

So pretty!

 Another section has a large collection of fan quilts.  I never discover the purpose of them (personally, they look like place mats for a round table), but this one is especially cute.  I just want to give the little demon a hug.

Too adorable to eat off of!

The showcase artist of the festival is Yoko Saito.  She's special to me, because the first time I visited Tokyo I bought one of her quilt books. (I haven't made anything out of it, because...it's all in Japanese...and in metrics.  It was enough of a challenge just to make the purchase!  See if you can find the quilt book section in a 3-story bookstore, when you cannot speak/read the language - it's like a task on the Amazing Race.)  Now it's just extraordinary to be here years later, living in Japan, and seeing her give a speech.  (I don't actually know what she's saying because...it's all in Japanese.)

A Yoko Saito quilt - not a lot of color, but lots of details.

I love the woven border

They have many of her quilts and purses on display.

Just a small part of the ensemble.

In another part of the festival there's an interactive exhibit.  Many flowers are on display, along with directions to create them.  If origami was a class I'd fail it (I can't fold maps, either) so I think I'll have to pass on this activity.

Maybe you can figure it out!
  It's like looking at Ikea directions.

little lotus flowers

Tokyo International Quilt Festival 2017 - Part 2

One of my favorites!

the maker of the quilt shown above

I have a confession to make - I'm not particularly fond of many of the quilts in the Tokyo Quilt Festival competition.  This year they just seem to be missing something.  Apparently, if you win the Grand Prix, you can no longer enter quilts into competition.  However, they do have an exhibit that allows past winners to show off a quilt.  Many of my favorites come from here, including the one pictured above.  Unfortunately, these quilts are mounted on a white background with a busy design - not very conducive to appreciating the quilts!  I try to crop out as much of it as possible.  Also, the lighting isn't great - sometimes horizontal shadows appear across the quilts (like in the center of the quilt at the start of the post).  Information on the quilt name, maker, etc are in the little pictures - unfortunately, most of the time the "stories" are only in Japanese.

Here are some close ups of the quilt showcased at the top.  I think I favor it because it's the first one that helped me realize I can make good use of some of the Japanese fabrics I've been buying and putting in my stash.

hydrangea blooms (I think)

love the grapes

shibori fabric flower

A very interesting quilt - none of the white is caused by fabric or paint - the artist used cross stitch to "color" in the white part of the quilt, including in the border.

Remember what I said about shadows! 

Here's the border - I have no idea how long the cross stitch would take - many, many hours!

The (machine) quilting adds nice texture to the background.

This quilt is just pretty!  I love the yellow and gray together.  I also adore the pointed arches in the border, made with bias tape.  Bias tape is very prevalent in both the quilts from past winners and the quilts in competition.

I think I'm getting dizzy.

quilt center, with more bias tape

the corner details - lots of French knots

I love wisteria!  We have a trellis at our house and I planned to plant it, even though it only blooms for one week.  Regrettably, it's poisonous to dogs, as many blooming vines are - morning glory, honeysuckle, etc.  So I've never grown it, though I think it's beautiful..

Wait, unless these are grapes...nope, those are wisteria leaves.

Border picture - this is a traditional Japanese design.

I enjoy this one because of the colors - you often see green together with an orangey-red in kimonos and other textiles in Japan.  The blocks that make up the quilt are interesting, too.  It's a diamond log cabin variation.

"Out, damned shadow! Out, I say!"

I love the little strip of fabric along one
long side - nice accent!

Great use of small print fabrics - even some shibori, too.

This seems to be one of the highlights of the show - I've seen different blogs/companies showcase it.  Maybe because it's different from traditional Japanese quilts?  Maybe the maker is well known internationally?  The use of color and geometric designs make it one I appreciate.

This quilt has a prefect name! (see pic to the right)

Applique and reverse applique

lots of layers and details

This is another good example of the use of Japanese fabrics, as piecing versus applique.

The design makes me think of clouds.

A closer look at the Japanese fabrics...and more bias tape designs.

The next post will share some of the other exhibits and competition quilts.