Quilts Japan and Patchwork Quilt Tsusin January 2014

I look forward to seeing the first issue of the year come out from both Quilts Japan and Patchwork Tsushin because they have the calendars in them.

Some years I pick up a second copy for my mom because the calendar is so knock your socks off incredible.

Other years I cry over quilts that just don't speak to me or photography that could have used some help.

This year both calendars are a bit on the so-so side.  You can judge for yourself, but I'm not sure I'm over the moon about either of them.

The issues themselves are a different story.

Quilts Japan #156 is an incredible issue.  It's full of the bright primary colored floral prints that I love and have collected for a while.  The quilts are bold and beautiful.  This is one of my most favorite issues.

Patchwork Tsushin #177 was lukewarm for me.  It has a lot of holiday projects as well as some whimsical designs with pom poms and ric rack.  Not my personal favorite, but somebody with a sweeter cuter aesthetic might really love it.

Either way, it's nice to kick the year off with some Japanese eye candy, that's for sure.

Book Report Time: Quilts Japan Issue #146

I have a subscription to both Quilts Japan and Patchwork Quilt Tsushin.  Both of these are the two most popular quilting magazines in Japan.

Each issue has many gems in there and patterns galore.  My favorite part is usually the fold out paper that has tons of applique designs on it. 

Kinokuniya will ship to addresses in the U.S. for subscriptions of these.  Not sure about other countries. 

Issue #146 of Quilts Japan does not disappoint: 

• Pages of Hawaiian Applique
• Adorable 3D stuffed fruits on p45
• Incredible vine and leaf applique on p52
• An advertisement on p66 for a book in English called Flowers Hearts & Garlands.  Why do I need to read a Japanese magazine to find out about a book this awesome?  Sigh, I need to get out more.
• Beautiful house quilt on p104 with a very interesting block setting

If you love hand work like I do, this issue is certainly for you.  If you really don't like Hawaiian applique, you may want to skip it, as there is quite a lot of it in here.

Fantastic Fabric Folding: Folded Flowers

When I was thumbing through my latest copy of Quilts Japan May 2011 Issue #140, I was reminded of how pretty folded flowers can be.

On page 44 of this issue there is a little wall hanging of folded flowers where the blocks are made from tiny floral print fabrics.

This got me to thinking about the possibility of making folded flowers out of Liberty of London fabrics. Although it would be a decent chunk of work to undertake a quilt like this, it is hard to resist the temptation to start something up.

As an experiment, I took some small floral fabric and worked one small block up to see how hard it is to do. The pictures in Quilts Japan were helpful, but of course the text is in Japanese (which I cannot read).

I then remembered that I somewhere had a copy of Fantastic Fabric Folding by Rebecca Wat. This book was published back in 2000 and is still available at Amazon here.

On page 25 there are nice diagrams with explanations in English that help you make these cute little flowers. The book itself has lots of other cool folded fabric flower projects too.

Not starting a big new quilt project tonight or anything - after all it's almost midnight - but tomorrow is another day!

Quilts Japan #138

If you have not grabbed a copy of Quilts Japan issue 1, 2011, vol #138....maybe now is the time.

The pages are full of traditional brightly colored quilts, similar to that on the cover, and they are all really detailed (of course) and beautiful.

The best part of this issue is that it includes the Quilts Japan 2011 calendar.

This calendar has inspirational quilts on every page. It's really a nice one.

Patchwork Quilt Tsushin also has their first volume out for the year and for some reason the quilts in the photos are not speaking to me. I think it's a personal taste thing, but anyhow, the Quilts Japan calendar is not to be missed.

I got some hand quilting done yesterday when my quilt group came over to visit, so I'm feeling like progress is being made there - woo hoo!


Does quilting and Superbowl mix? Hm....

Quilts Japan #123

Picking up my latest copy of Quilts Japan was a big highlight before the holiday weekend.

This issue is very floral-themed although the techniques and fabric families used are all over the map.

There is an awesome taupe quilt with flowers on p. 34 that really caught my eye. It has scalloped edge treatments. I have yet to attempt this, but have always wanted to try it. It's just such a beautiful way to finish off a quilt.

Some interesting Hawaiian block patterns are also included. Hand applique - you know I can never get enough of that.

The best part of this issue is the CRAZY block pattern for the quilt on the cover, and featured on p. 8-9 as well. It's sort of a star/Dresden plate block with diamonds around the outside.

Oh what an undertaking this would be for a bed-sized quilt...ah, but wouldn't this be adorable in taupe fabrics as well? Seriously, what doesn't look good in taupe fabric...

I also shipped off a DVD with files for a photo-study I did. My sister was wanting some photographs of shells for her newly redecorated room. Hopefully she will like them.

I've also been dreaming of visiting SFMOMA's exhibit by Frida Kahlo before I get too tired/pregnant/huge to run around in a museum. Looks like tickets book well in advance...hm...hope I don't have the baby in the middle of the exhibit!

Quilts Japan 119

Quilts Japan 119 (issue number 119 that is, November 2007) was just delivered to me, and is a very pretty and elegant issue.

It is very focused on Christmas, with tons of beautiful wall quilts and small projects in red and green. The Hawaiian style Christmas goodies really caught my eye. Tree skirts, tree decorations, small table runner (p. 6-7 if you're reading along)....all very striking.

The rest of the issue has some taupe small items (needle cases, bags) and some incredible bed quilt pictures. There is a strawberry applique quilt on p.64 that blew my socks off.

It also looks like some new taupes are floating around here in the states. Some can be seen on Pinwheels web site. I haven't run into them in person yet...but I'm sure I will soon.

Quilts Japan, Patchwork Quilt Tsushin, and sister visit

I'm just counting the moments until my little sister arrives. She and her husband will visit us for the weekend.

She made this block for me, her applique is awesome.

Ok, so the post you've all been waiting for....

So you wanna subscribe to Quilts Japan? or Patchwork Quilt Tsushin? Frankly, I don't blame you. I have subscriptions to both.

If you live in the U.S. - here's what you do:

1) Call Kinokuniya (408) 252-1300
2) Ask them to subscribe you for $75 + $30 shipping (current cost 9/2007)
3) Visit your mailbox expectantly every day

The $105 includes 6 issues. If my calculator works thats $17.50/issue.

If you're in Europe, I think you can go here and get some help to order them.

Oh, and 1 more thing...if you like my below post of fabric from Repro Depot, I also encourage you to also visit the "sale" section at Super Buzzy right now.

These fabrics are on SALE!!! and they support 1/2 yd cuts....thanks Kelly for the head's up!

Good to know there are so many options for us Japanese fabric junkies! Cheers to Super Buzzy and Repro Depot!! Can I sign over my entire paycheck?

Tenugui and Quilts Japan #118

Quilts Japan issue #118 arrived at Kinukuniya, so I rushed over to pick it up.

The cover shot quilt is striking, and inside there are some very nice patterns. Some of them include traditional blocks as well as some twists on them including the spools block.

When I was at the bookstore, I picked up a "Tenugui". Does anybody else out there have experience using them? They are these sort of fabric-based business cards, and I did end up getting some when I was in Japan.

They consist of a piece of fabric that is 33cm x 90cm that can be used for a towel, hankie, headwear (in the olden days)...etc. I'm thinking they migh make some cool little bags or something.

Quilts Japan #116

I just picked up my issue of Quilts Japan #116. I haven't tried this service, but interesting that you can have a subscription with them.

Although this issue has some white work on the cover, and is so bride bride bridey looking, the innerds are pretty meaty.

Some awesome wedding rings, awesome white work...and one of my personal favorites, a ton of Hawaiian quilting. You know I'm an applique freak, so that really tickles me. Almost makes we want to take another trip to the islands just for quilting!

Japanese quilters love the Hawaiian style, and often use these sort of tie dye fabrics that are center-weighted, and radiate colors out from the middle. It's very pretty stuff, but I'm not sure I've found a source for it here in the states.

QJ #115

Quilts Japan #115 came in and I hurried over to pick it up from the bookstore that I ordered it from.

This issue has tons and tons of applique roses (which I know some people have a real distaste for) but I can't get enough of them.

I'm also tempted by this book on making skirts. I know, I have no time for this, so I really shouldn't get the book. I haven't, so there, but...temptation...it's lurking.