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!