Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Another Brick


 Machine Made Patchworks

Japanese craft books are one of my favorite resources for quilting inspiration. Most of these Japanese craft books contain  very few English words, but I enjoy the gorgeous pictures of  cute projects, beautiful fabrics and occasionally try to work my way through the diagrams that accompany each project.


I have started a new project that was initially inspired by the above image.  I was puzzled by the diagram/pattern for this quilt, but soon realised the numbers in the book were in centimeters rather than inches and then chose to ignore the pattern all together as it was easier to make it up as I went along than it was to figure out the details in the book.


Not only have I changed the pattern, but also the overall color palette, preferring a softer look and making use of my new Rouenneries fabrics by Moda, in particular the red stripes.   As a result my quilt bears little resemblance to the inspiration image, but I do love how one image can lead to such creativity and a completely new quilt.


Sourcing Japanese Craft books is not always easy and it sure helps to have the ISBN number of the book, usually found on the inside or back cover:


ISBN:   457911020X

I have had success finding Japanese books on Ebay, Etsy, YesAsia, Superbuzzy and have managed to stumble my way through Amazon Japan.  More projects from this particular craft book can be seen here and for clarification of Japanese sewing and pattern terminology you can find a very helpful list here.

More pictures of  the new quilt coming soon!
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32 comments:

  1. Another gorgeous quilt...I really like the use of the Rouenneries and I also spied the green and orange flower x
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  2. I love it, I'm looking forward to seeing it finished. Do tell about the text fabric, I can't resist those.
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  3. I've looked through that book and it's got lovely projects. I usually use books for inspiration and I've never followed a pattern from beginning to end. Love how your interpretation of the quilt :)
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  4. Love your take on this quilt! The mix of colors and black & white is very inspirational, as the randomness and asymmetry. I just found another favorite!!
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  5. Love this quilt - what a gorgeous colour scheme!
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  6. Love this quilt - what a gorgeous colour scheme!
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  7. What are the titles of your favourite japanese books or mooks. I picked up パッチワーク 教室 the other day and I'm already making something out of it. Translated, it is Patchwork Classroom. I know enough japanese to get the gist of what is required, and absolutely love japanese Mooks, I have others on other subjects too.

    I'm trying to start up a discussion on this over here if you're interested: http://www.flickr.com/groups/932951@N24/discuss/72157622742680771/
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  8. Hah. I was totally going to make Jasper's quilt following this design (isn't it such a book of inspiration!) but then ended up doing a whole range of patterns on 8" blocks. Should get some photos up shortly as I've finished the blocks and now need to start sewing the rows together.

    Also, you're the second person I've seen using the rouenneries fabrics and they are just divine. I am making a quilt for some friends getting married in February and think I may use this fabric range for it.
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  9. Yours is much better than the quilt in the book I have to say. Where did you find your beautiful newsprint fabric? Love the colours Rita xo
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  10. There is an English book, that has at least the same cover, not sure if the content is the same. The name is Patchwork Style: 35 Simple Projects for a Cozy and Colorful Life (Make Good: Crafts + Life) (Taschenbuch) by Suzuko Koseki. I found it on German Amazon. The ISBN is 978-1590306499. Maybe this helps. The quilt is georgeous.
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  11. I'm picking up the english version of this book from the library tomorrow, they have it on hold for me. I can't wait to see what lovely little projects it has inside.
    Your quilt is lovely!
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  13. wow - Rita, you've (yet again) taken an inspiration quilt to a whole new level. What I'd like to know is when is YOUR book coming out??? Come on, you know you should write a book!
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  14. I have the English version of that book which funnily enough I purchased in the Japanese bookstore here in Singapore! The content is the same as the Japanese version.
    Love your version of the quilt.
    Alison
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  15. Oooooo, a new favorite! I love the graphic fabrics you chose. Brilliant work.
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  16. the new quilt is looking lovely! i love the fabric that looks like newspaper print.
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  17. Rita, your quilt top is fabulous! I prefer your over the picture in the book, actually. I adore the newspaper prints... I think they are on my shopping list for today :-)
    Cheers!
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  18. I am glad someone already pointed out the English version because I thought I might be crazy thinking I had that book at home in English! Thanks for sharing!

    Anna
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  19. Glad to see that someon else pointed out, I could have sworn I saw an English version of this book.

    And kudos to you for taking that lovely inspiration and making it truly your own. I can't wait to see the finished project!
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  20. You let the inspiration from that wonderful book trickle down through you and look what came out! Its wonderful.
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  21. I just love this book. I got it from our library and almost copied the whole thing. I love the quilt you made. I was thinking of doing something similar for my first queen size quilt. Wish me luck!
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  23. I have the American version of this book. I've had my eye on this book forever when it was available in the Japanese. Can't wait to see your completed project
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  24. Your colour choices are amazing as always Rita.
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  25. The quilt looks great in your fabric picks. I've eyed that quilt since that books first release. Come to think of it, the quilt I bound today kinda looks inspired by it.
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  26. The english version of the book is called Patchwork Style by Suzuko Koseki if that would help you with measurements. I posted about it yesterday in my blog--it's on my wish list. :)
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  27. I LOVE Japanese craft and quilt books! My favorites by far are Yoko Saito's books. There is a Japanese superstore nearby where I've been fortunate enough to find them. I sure wish Amazon would stock them again, but they stopped after too many people who bought them complained because they didn't understand the book was written in Japanese!

    I also wish the American quilt magazines would start featuring some of these Japanese quilt artists. Someday...
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  28. i loved that quilt since i saw sneak peeks of it on blogs a few years ago. you did a nice job on your version as well!
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  29. It's fun to see you stretch your style! Great job.
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  30. I have this one in English Rita. So if you ever need a translation, let me know (I know the numbers are universal!).
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  31. I love it! I also enjoy japanese craft books. The beading ones I've seen are excellent as well.

    Thanks for the links.
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  32. got the same book, had the same issue, forgot about the pattern and did my own thing too....Love, Love, Love what you have done!!
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