I can't say enough how much I love this book. I have had this book for a long time but I keep going back to it because I can always find something new every time. Endless inspiration! I think Kumiko's way of utilizing beautiful fabric is just divine. She is just so talented and creative, and oh so funny and thoughtful too. I just love her! I don't think my love for patchwork would have been the same if I had not discovered her.
Years ago, my real life sewing friend Tamiko and I have decided to start a little patchwork bee and invited our lovely friends and we made some cute blocks from the book.
Living in Tokyo, I am often asked by overseas friends to look for particular Japanese sewing/quilting related things in Japan that are very hard to find. There has been nothing like the original version of 318 Patchwork Pattern that were sought out like crazy. It has been out of print for years, and there were literally hundreds of people who were looking for it. Because of its rarity, it was very hard to find in Japan too, and the market value has gone insane.
And the popularity of the book even increased when my sweet friends made this baby quilt above for my girl! (I can never thank Krista for organizing and putting together this beautiful quilt! I still can't use it practically, worrying it may be ruined.) Many patterns used in this book come from this book!
And the popularity of the book even increased when my sweet friends made this baby quilt above for my girl! (I can never thank Krista for organizing and putting together this beautiful quilt! I still can't use it practically, worrying it may be ruined.) Many patterns used in this book come from this book!
Thanks to World Book Media for republishing this book. Finally it is available to everyone at a reasonable price. And guess what? This time it is an English version!
I think the title of the book and the cover pretty much describes what this book is all about. There are 318 very unique and cute patchwork patterns that have vintage feels to them. Templates inside the book are supposed to be enlarged 250% to produce 6" x 6" finished blocks.
The first half of the book consists of blocks with straight line seams and the rest of it is about more elaborate patterns that have more curvy seams. All patterns are meant to be sewn by hands. You can paper-piece some of the blocks with straight line seams, but for most of them, you will need to break down the pattern by increasing the number of seams in order to sew by machine.
The first half of the book consists of blocks with straight line seams and the rest of it is about more elaborate patterns that have more curvy seams. All patterns are meant to be sewn by hands. You can paper-piece some of the blocks with straight line seams, but for most of them, you will need to break down the pattern by increasing the number of seams in order to sew by machine.
The book is available for pre-order here!
Check out this great blog hop along this book!
October 20th : Kerry from http://verykerryberry.blogspot.com
House wall hanging from Home Sweet Home collection
October 22nd : Penny Layman from http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com
Gardening apron with blocks from Vegetables collection
October 24th : Angela Pingel from http://cuttopieces.blogspot.com
Wall hanging or bunting from Halloween collection
October 27th : Amy Sinibaldi from http://nanacompany.typepad.com
Tote bag with applique blocks (288 or 285 or 261)
October 29th : Amber Carrillo from http://oneshabbychick.typepad.com
Blocks from Christmas collection
October 31st : Latifah Saafir from www.thequiltengineer.com
Baby blanket from At the Circus collection
November 3rd : Charise Randell from http://charisecreates.blogspot.com
Make up kit and shoe bag from Girls’ Night Out collection
November 5th : Leila from http://wheretheorchidsgrow.blogspot.com
Tea Cozy from Tea Time Collection
November 7th : Amy Friend from http://duringquiettime.com
Table runner with blocks from Fruits collection
November 10th : Faith Jones from www.freshlemonquilts.com
Mini quilt from Vehicle Collection
November 12th : Caroline from www.sewcanshe.com
Tote or pouch with applique block
November 14th : Rashida Coleman-Hale from http://iheartlinen.typepad.com
Paper piecing tutorial
For your chance to win a copy of this book, leave a comment for this post by Sunday November 2nd! I will have the random number generator choose a number and will be back to announce a winner!
