what you didnt know

 

I have never really "officially" quilted. I just do my own thing. Quilting seems like such an exact science. Measure twice, cut once......Since I have problems with perfection----whether I am a perfectionist and can't stand not being able to do things perfectly, or whether I am an imperfectionist and refuse to do things by the rules, I cannot say. I can make arguements for both. Artists are rebels, after all, but we must start off with the rules before we break them.......

Last night I met with the "girls" who quilt on Tuesday nights. They are all traditional quilters and are learning by some more experienced quilters---it covers all levels.

For instance, someone came with their patchwork blocks they made all week only to find they did not keep measuring, and most of them were over size or undersize---so, she spent the night ripping them out......*sigh*.....that is the part of quilting I am afraid of. I looked at her project long and hard and decided I would have just "cut" them to fit the smallest ones.......lol. RIght or wrong, *shrug*, I dunno? I just wouldn't have the heart to rip apart 40 blocks I spent all week piecing........

Another girl brought her quilt that she constructed from vintage feedsack dresden plates she found in her mother's cedar trunk. She found 28 and spaced them on the quilt so that she could share some of the squares with the other siblings.

Someone else was working on needle turn applique using freezer paper. *sigh* Tedious. Tedious.

Well, as you know, I am in love with Yoko Saito's work and I aim to attempt some of it. So, I got out my Moda Layer Cakes stash I have been collecting and began to cut my two inch strips. I found an easy pot holder pattern from "The Impatient Patchworker" by Jayne Emerson.

  

ISBN 0-307-33658-1 

I learned things like ironing your seams toward the darkest fabric. Although it wasn't part of the directions, I topstitched my potholder after I finished all the sewing.

This winter it is my goal to attempt some of the patterns I have collected from Yoko Saito.

Today, I will sew a cosmetic bag that is also in this book. I plan to show you my journey into learning this beautiful art of Yoko Saito's. I realize that I will rebel somewhere----color choices, perhaps, which happen to be one of her trademarks---she seems to work mostly in taupe, brown, tan and black. I wonder if I can get the look by using other fabrics. We shall see. Also, the potholder I made was all machine stitched. I have the feeling that Yoko's are hand stitched. Since all the books I have are in Japanese----there are things I miss, since I can only follow illustrations. I think this will be an exciting project.

Of course, I will always be distracted from time to time. In fact, I need to come up with some fast things for my last three shows. Obviously, patchwork takes a long time. But here is one of my inspirations:

 

ISBN4-529-04098-4

This is just yummy with patchwork projects. I cannot say that Yoko has any in this book, but her style is definitely represented. I have a few books of hers on my wish list. 

Okay, well you heard it here. I am going to make winter 2010, the year I make some of Yoko Saito's patchwork projects. They will be mine when I am done, because I cannot copy something exactly, but I sure enjoy her style.

 

Don't you just want to make these?

Comments

[Coloradolady]

Well, I don't think I could make one of those, but I just adore that little quilt shop house.....so when you master this project and want to sell one, just add it to my list of after Christmas order!! My sewing room is pinks and vintage turquoise and if you prefer to practice on other colors, you can use one as a Guinea pig and sell it to me!! Boy....I am full of myself this morning....sorry....love everything you do.....