Monday, October 27, 2014

Review and Giveaway: 318 Patchwork Patterns by Kumiko Fujita


You may have already heard about this, but this book, 318 Patchwork Patterns, by my awesome quilting hero Kumiko Fujita will be finally available to anybody! This is just such amazing news to anyone who loves quirky, cute, and creative patchwork patterns!!

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.

Scissors for Amisha ~ Patchwork 318 Bee ~

Cake Blocks - The 318 Bee

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.
The most amazing gift ever!

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 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! 

179 comments:

  1. The book looks like it has so many great possibilities for projects. I would love to win!

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  2. Love everything I have seen from this book so far. Can't wait to see it for real! Thanks!

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  3. Oh my! I absolutely LOVE all these cute blocks and projects! I'd be thrilled to win a copy of the book :)

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  4. This looks like a wonderful book! I can't wait to get my hands on it!

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  5. Would it help me to win to tell you that I'm Japanese? But I need the English version because my family has been here in the USA for almost 100 years. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  6. I love the blocks you have made and the baby quilt from your friends, Ayumi! I would love to win this gorgeous book, thank you for the chance. ♥

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  7. I would love to win this book! the designs are wonderful and thanks for the chance to win!

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  8. ohhhh I want to play with the ABC Blocks!

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  9. I adore paper piecing and quirky patterns is right up my alley....would love to win. Thanks for the chance!

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  10. I would love to win this book for my Guild library!

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  11. Would love this book... really like paper piecing. And Loved the ABC quilt ..
    thanks for the giveaway.

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  12. I found Ringo Pie Bee online and really enjoyed seeing the variety of blocks they made. There was a Santa with a bike in his bag that I loved. Was this your bee? So glad this book is in English.

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  13. What fun this book would be! thank you!

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  14. I love to read why people would love to win a book and when I read the comment where one would donate this to her guild library I thought what a super idea that way more people could get enjoyment from someone else's lucky win.

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  15. The alphabet quilt is so adorable.

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  16. It looks like a very interesting book with lots of blocks that I would actually make. Thanks for the chance.

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  17. Thank you so much for a chance to win! The book looks amazing!

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  18. This book looks wonderful. Thanks for the chance

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  19. I would love to win this book, and try my hand at paper piecing

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  20. I need this book to add to my paper piecing addiction

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  21. So many cute blocks! Keeping my fingers crossed!

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  22. What a fun book…love those adorable blocks!! Thanks for the sweet giveaway :)
    cwayons(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. That is so yummy!! Hoping to be the lucky one! :)
    Thanks Ayumi :)

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  24. I remember that sweet quilt for your baby; it's amazing! Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

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  25. A friend suggested this blog, and I'm so glad I stopped by! I just completed my first quilt for my daughter, and now looking for more inspiration.
    Thanks for the blog and beautiful photos!

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  26. This book looks like so much fun....adorable patterns! Thank you!

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  27. Rosemary B here
    Hi Ayumi.
    I just put this book on my Amazon wish list. I am going to buy it as soon as it is available
    I loved that quilt your sweet friends made for you. I love the blocks you made too.
    Hugs and 💙💜💚

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  28. I hope to be able to make a quilt one day as lovely as the one all the lovely quilters made for Honoka!

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  29. I will be in Tokyo in March. Mostly to see a friend in Kyoto. I plan on fabric shopping the entire time.
    It is nice to have a friend who speaks Japanese - who can translate cute japanese patterns.

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  30. Hello! Thank you for the giveaway! I looked for the book and am so glad to see it will be available !! Yay! Happy Halloween to you and your sweet family! Honoka is getting so big! What a sweet little one ! Xo Pam

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  31. Very darling designs! I might buy it if I don't win.

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  32. I'm so excited about this book! Thanks especially for sharing its history and value. Your baby quilt is such a treasure!

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  33. I very much want this book with such a variety of blocks. http://zhakardochumelka.blogspot.com/

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  34. These blocks are so sweet--that alphabet quilt is just so incredible! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  35. I love the Halloween blocks!! So cute!!

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  36. These designs are awesome. Thanks for the heads up and chance to win it .

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  37. This book looks awesome (and so cute)! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  38. Aww so many cute blocks!! KF sensei is really amazing! :))

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  39. Oh my goodness! I can already see several blocks I would love to make! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  40. I would love to have that awesome book.
    Thanks for the chance.

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  41. Love to win. thanks for the giveaway.

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  42. I have been admiring this book of late, and would be absolutely thrilled to win a copy!!! Many thanks for the chance.

    Best,
    Liz
    boltonia55@yahoo.com

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  43. Woud love to win this wonderful book!!!

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  44. Какая потрясающая книга! Мечта!!!

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  45. So happy that this book is being republished. I have loved seeing your blocks over the years and would love a copy of that fantastic book. Thank you for the chance!

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  46. Awesome! I would love to win a copy of this book, it is perfect for ideas for gifts for my Grandchildren.

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  47. The book looks wonderful. The quilt made by your friends is amazing!!

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  48. This book looks awesome! Would love to get my hands on it.

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  49. What a fabulous book to be a prize in your Giveaway! It looks great.

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  50. So many project ideas, it will be hard to choose which to do first! Thanks for a great giveaway.

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  51. Some darling blocks in this book from what I've seen.

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  52. What a fabulous giveaway! I'd love to win this book

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  53. The book looks awesome and your baby quilt is the prettiest I've ever seen!

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  54. Thank you for a great giveaway. This book looks very special and is completely different to all my quilting books. Love the quilt too, so sweet. x

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  55. Looks like a book full of such fun designs :-)

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  56. I have wanted this book for a long time!

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  57. Thank you for a chance to win this great book!!

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  58. Thank you for explaining the history and usefulness if this book :)

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  59. I would love to try so many of the patterns in this book! Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  60. I heard about this book before and would be delighted to win a copie. Thank you for the giveaway. I will put the book on my wishlist.

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  61. What a lovely book, thanks for the chance to win.

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  62. This book is wonderful! Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

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  63. It's such great news this book has been reprinted. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

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  64. I really love that scissors block and I would be over the moon to win a copy of this book!

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  65. What a wonderful give away and the baby's quilt is just adorable!

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  67. thanks for this great giveaway! And I loooove the baby quilt your friends made you!

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  68. This book looks like so much fun! I absolutely adore the baby quilt your friends made.

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  69. I have been waiting for so long to own this book. I'd like to make an alphabet quilt. Looks like fun!

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  70. Thank you!
    I would love to win a copy!!

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  71. Thank you for the chance to win this fab book
    doyleajackie AT gmail DOT com

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  72. Thanks for this post. A lovely book to make a cute quilt!

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  73. Oh, this book is a dream for the paper piecer!
    Thanks for the chance to win it!

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  74. What an awesome book and the fabrics are so charming! :)

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  75. My big dream for this book :) thank your for giveaway, its really fun chance ..

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  76. Love the quilt your friends made- especially the teapot block. Book looks fantastic!

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  77. This book is on top of my wish list. So I cross my fingers and hope I am the lucky one to win :) The book looks so great.

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  78. This is a very exciting opportunity! The book looks wonderful, and i"d love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance!!

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  79. I'm thrilled to see that this book has been republished and is available in English. Thanks for the review and the giveaway.

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  80. Hello Ayumi, and thank you for the introduction to this book. It does indeed look like a classic, and I can understand your enthusiasm about its being reissued.

    I thought of you last week when I was viewing the Matisse Cut Outs exhibit at The Museum of Modern Art. I had seen some of these cut outs in prior exhibitions, but this show is amazing. You may know that the colors were painted (mostly in gouache) on paper, and then Matisse used sharp tailor's shears to freely cut out the shapes. What I had not realized was that many of his designs' beautiful curves and sharp points were achieved by ... paper piecing. It was fascinating to have a chance to see these effects close up and marvel at the creativity.

    I wish that you could see the show! xo

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  81. Those kitchen patterns are so cute!

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  82. I World Love to be the first one in Germany to own this book.
    Sylvia

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  83. Oh such cute patterns. Thanks for a chance.

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  84. Lindos ! Obrigada pela oportunidade.

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  85. I have yet to do paper piecing & would love to start, it looks like so much fun, I have some of the tools, the book would be great with all of the great patterns...thank you for the giveaway...!! ;o)

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  86. Great book, would love to win :-)

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  87. This is so cute! Thank you for keeping your eyes open for opportunities for those of us in the states, and for a chance to win this book.

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  88. Hiya!!! That book looks amazing. It would be so wonderful to win a copy. Thanks for having the giveaway. Blessed be, hugs!!! Pam

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  89. A lovely book to make a cute quilt!

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  90. All the blocks I see people making are so cute!!!

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  91. This book looks like so much fun!!

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  92. Hi there Ayumi,
    I have been seriously crushing on this book since I first found out about it. It NEEDS to be in my quilting book collection!!!
    Thanks so much for the giveaway,
    Jacqueline in Pitt Meadows

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  93. I love the fun and quirky blocks. Hope I win the book!

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  94. Love all the pattern I've seen from this book. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  95. I have the Japanese version of this book, which I bought second-hand online. The price, including shipping from Japan, was a bit high, but it has been worth every penny. Some of the patterns are not for beginners, but many suit all levels, and all are just so very, very cute. I have no hesitation reinforcing your recommendation of the book.

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  96. Oh my. That quilt. and your scissors block. I am dying right now. So cute!!

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  97. So beautiful and clever! Thanks for the giveaway chance - too kind!

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  98. This book looks so fun! So many possibilities.
    anetemso@gmail.com

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  99. It looks so cute. Ashame ti say I don't know about her but will study now.

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  100. Something new to do by hand! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

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  101. I have had my eye on this book for a while hoping it would be reprinted. Yay!

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  102. I am so excited that this is finally available in English! Love the alphabet quilt your friends made.

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  103. I can totally see why you are going back to this book again and again. It's full of creative genius! I love to make these kinds of projects too.

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  104. Thank you for the contest. The patterns are inspiring and so cute!

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  105. What a beautiful baby quilt. Thanks for the nice giveaway.

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  106. My preschooler would adore that alphabet quilt!

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  107. I'd love to add this book to my library.

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  108. Awesome! I can't wait to check this book out in person! Thanks for the review and project share.

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  109. I'm in love with patchwork, too!

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  110. The blocks are gorgeous!!! My fingers are crossed!

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  111. This is fab news! I have been searching for this book for ages :)

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  112. I'm so pleased this book is being republished! Thank you for the chance to win a copy :)

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  113. It seems a great book. Thanks for this giveaway.

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  114. I've got this book on my wish list. Thank you for the giveaway.

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  115. I'm so glad this book is being reprinted!! Thanks for the chance, Ayumi! Hope all is well with you :)

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  116. I would love this book. I have been collecting retro kitchen fabric. I love the fabric you used. Thanks for the chance.

    janie.mccombs@yahoo.com

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  117. Those are so cool! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  118. What a great book! I am hoping to win...thanks for the chance.

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  119. Claro un gran libro, y bueno a probar suerte, gracias por permitirnos soñar.
    Abrazos ticos hoy martes.

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  120. So adorable! The possibilities are endless.

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  121. I wasn't so sure this book was THE reprint- this is awesome! I would love to win.

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  122. My only problem would be problem would be deciding which block to make first

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  123. That baby quilt is SO adorable! No wonder you can't use it. It's a treasure!

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  124. The more patterns I see made from this book, the more I want it. Love the scissors and baby quilt!

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  125. oooo SO CUTE! mumbird3atgmail.com

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  126. Some wonderful looking blocks in this book. Your baby quilt is just adorable.

    tushay3(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  127. This book looks so, so awesome! I would love to have it.

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  128. This books like so much fun - I have always loved the baby quilt you received and I'm now even more excited about the release of this book.
    Thank you for the giveaway!

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  129. I just adore the baby quilt Krista organized for you. The ladies did such an amazing job. It would be wonderful to take a peak at those patterns

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  130. The quilt is amazing ... Though I wouldn't dare to use it.

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  131. Love the baby quilt! I would love to own a copy of that book! Thank you for the opportunity and the info on how to order it, just in case.

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  132. I would love a copy of the book! You've had so much fun making things from it I'd love to see what else it offers. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  133. I admired your baby quilt when I saw it on your blog a while back...so glad I will have the chance to make one with this book being republished!

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  134. This looks like a great book to add to my collection.

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  135. Oooooh. That is just wonderful! Crossing my fingers like MAD to get picked,
    Thanks for the chance!!

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  136. This would be a fabulous book to have! Love the projects!
    Evin5 at aol dot com

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  137. Oh, this looks like a FUN book! i jsut started my quilting journey and this would be fun to add to it!

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  138. What an awesome book! I may have to buy it for my best friend for Christmas!

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  139. What a wonderful book! All the techniques will improve my work.I love the ideas and have seen the projects following the Blog hop! So fun much fun!!Thank you for the chance to win this prize!

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  140. I lived in Japan for 2.5 years after college. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing how you blend the cultures. I would love to win a copy of this book.

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  141. This book is going on my Christmas list! Hrobbins422 at yahoo dot com

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  142. What a great giveaway! The book seems amazing, an excellent adition to my library! ;)

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  143. What a lovely book. Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  144. Thank you for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org

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  145. This book is so cool! My mom loves to quilt and I'm sure we'll be spending some quality time together with it.

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  146. Such a lovely book. Would like to own one. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  147. It looks like a wonderful book. I have been a fan of Kumiko for a long time and would love a copy of this book! Xo!

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  148. I have been wanting this book for such a long time! Thank you for the giveaway!

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  149. The quilt your friends made is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing the source of the blocks. The book is going on my X-mas wish list. Many thanks for the chance to win.

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  150. A quick look at the introduction... A wonderful book that I would like to have it

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  151. I've tried making little blocks like these. They are so much fun. This collection is brilliant and I would love to get a chance to win a copy. Thanks so much!

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  152. I love paper piecing
    I think this book will be very interesting.
    do you think we will finf it in France ?
    I will be glad to win it

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  153. I wish I won this book! Thanks for the chance!

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  154. Love love love this new book....Definitely want to win it or own it ....Love Japanese style quilting projects...

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  155. I'm an FPP beginner and this looks like a wonderful resource with the super cute blocks that aren't very large either. Thanks for a chance to win and happy November!

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  156. I would love to win this book, thanks for the chance! dawnm1993@gmail.com

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  157. I would love to win this book. Thank you.

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  158. looks like a great book
    cooladam1 at live dot com

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  159. What a great book! Thanks for a chance to win a copy!

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  160. It would be great to win this book!

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  161. awww missed it but I'll be sure to buy a copy!!

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