Boro, bags & Yoko Saito JAPAN

 I have been using my bag and I am loving it.

We went for a special train ride to QUILT PARTY today.

I love Yoko Saito’s quilt and bag designs. Her fabric choices are amazing.

We were not expecting Yoko to be in store but she was. I got her to sign a book for me.

While we were in the store a customer came in with the most amazing quilt she had made.

Online shop and in store.

Using my BORO stitched fabric

 While on a roll with my bag making I found a great tutorial for a crossbody bag. It was easy to make, the tutorial was easy to follow and I used the whole piece.

Watching carefully

After all that stitching now was the time to cut it into pieces.

Changing the design a bit to get more pockets. 

I had a long length of zip with multiple pulls so I used them up too.

I put 2 pulls on each zip. 

You can still see the little fish on the front.

I am loving this bag. I did make it bigger than the tutorial as I wanted to use all the fabric.

I used a strap that I bought in Japan last year.

https://youtu.be/5zQqyQvjFF0?si=EsneyZe-wHXACjym

Sashiko and Boro work

  I have really been enjoying some hand work in the last couple of months. 

I finished my Sashiko piece

I have also finished my Boro piece while sitting in the hospital with Tony.

I added a different colour, blue, where I used the masking tape dividers.

Then I put in a mustard thread in the centre of these for a bit of colour.

I circled around the fish.. Japanese pyjamas were used in this piece.

My piece is now finished. Now I must decide how to cut it up and what to use it for.

I have really enjoyed stitching this. It was so relaxing and passed away the time so easily.

A day at a time

 Hi everyone, I just want to say a very big thank you for your support. I haven’t replied to many emails I have received but please know I thank you and appreciate every message you have sent.

Any way, a quick update. My hubby is now in the rehab ward in hospital very close to home. It makes it easier to work a few hours a day, for my sanity, and still close enough for me to visit twice a day.

I work, visit, home for a nap then back to visit. I do fit in the other necessities like work, shopping, washing and eating. 

So here is Tony saying hi. Feeling a bit tired, sick of being in bed and not eating the hospital food is causing a few problems. He will get there. Now for Rehab to start…….

I am now comfortable with some sewing at the hospital. I am working on a Boro piece. I think I will use it in a back pac I need to make.

Saturday was the first time I picked up my sewing in 3 weeks. I felt comfortable and relaxed enough to pick up my hand quilting.

No. 3 CHOOKSHED challenge for August. I have done some but not as much as I had liked. Anyway. I will continue.

Slow Stitching Sunday

CHOOKSHED challenge 2024

Janet teaching us Boro…

 The next day we were shown and taught how to do Boro. I have done this before but did learn some new tips. Laying out my fabrics.

I laid down some painters tape to give me some straight lines to start with but it kept lifting. It didn’t stick very well.

So I replaced it with masking tape. So much better.

This is the aim I am going for. Lots of fairly straight lines close together.

I will also add some curved lines and circles too.

Loved this bag pattern

It is a free pattern here

https://blog.noodle-head.com/2018/10/forage-bag-free-pattern.html

I also like this pattern to that Janet has made. The cross body bag.

Here I am sitting and enjoying my stitching while listening to others chat.

I have quite a few hand stitching projects going on now. These will keep me busy for a while, I mean months….

We all had a great weekend of hand stitching. Once again, Thankyou Janet

About time I did a catch up post after being missing in action for 2 weeks.

I know I haven't posted for 2 weeks but here is a catch up.

Well, isn't it a strange time we are all living. Social distancing. I can surely say that there are so many people around that do not understand what this means. 

All I seem to be doing is working (I am one of the lucky ones to still have a job) then coming home exhausted, not seeing anyone and not doing anything during the week. 

I spent the long weekend in March painting some feature walls in my house and hanging picture frames. We have lived here 4 years now and I have only decided what I wanted to do.

My daughter and family were supposed to come up here for a weeks holiday but that's not allowed atm.. so we have to wait. It's very disappointing but we are catching up on facetime. No cuddles with the grandies...

Okay, so it was the EASTER weekend and I spent 2 days catching up on filing, sleeping, cleaning out cupboards, linen press but not my sewing room.

I finally got around to taking some photos and doing some sewing.

I hope you enjoy this catch up and unusual long post from me. Please sit down, relax and enjoy the read.

It was my birthday in early March and at my quilt group we have a swap on. 

I was lucky enough to be given some fat quarters at the end of Feb, well before stay at home social distancing started. These are only half the amount I will receive. I suppose its something to look forward to when we can meet up again, receiving the rest.

Anyway thanks to those who gave these beautiful 1930's fat 1/4's.

I think they might be used in my Farmers Wife quilt.

I have made a few masks and here is my selfie.

I know hairdressers are still working but at this time I do not think they are essential and do not want to be too close to them knowing the amount of people they are in contact with.

So I have to deal with the messy hair...

At least my nose and face are covered if need be..

This is what I ended up making. A total of 15. I have given them out to a few people at work. Not that we have to wear them yet but there are some that want them and I'd like to have them ready.
There are so many free patterns and tutorials around and this was the one I was happy with.
I like the ties because they can fit any size head. The elastic ones would make annoy my ears.



I wanted to sew a little project for a bit of fun.
I had a small strip of QAYG left over from an Aussie Hero quilt ( next post ) and didn't want to throw it away. I also have a big tub of zips. I searched Pinterest and came across a great site with lots of free patterns and tutorials 

Make a cuppa and have a browse
https://thesewingloftblog.com/100-free-zipper-pouch-patterns/

I saw these on a blog a while ago. I thought I would make some for gifts. I already had the shelf liner and of course, plenty of fabric. They were quick and easy to make..


Have a look here.
https://scrapatches.blogspot.com/2014/11/easy-sew-jar-openers.html

I cut them about 6-7" square depending on the size of shelf liner you have. Just cut it to get the most out of the piece. I back it with 2 pieces of fabric so when sewn and turned the seams are enclosed. I have added ribbon for the loop. I can hang one on a hook on my fridge so it can be easily found.
Here is one pictured with a Vegemite jar so you can see the size.



I've finished a few more jar grippers. These are great gifts and not too much to put in the post. I'm happy I've made a great start for the gift box.



I am doing the number draw afor my quilt group. Here is where we are at. I did a short video of the drawing so it could be put on Facebook. I'm not on there so another member put it up for the rest of the group to see. We putit in our newsletter every month so are always a month ahead.



No. 12 APRIL UFO PROJECT is to make 2 BORO bags.
Here is the first one. All the pieces are hand stitched. Now for the bag .


I actually got this project bag finished. Zip an all. Last time I made this pouch I was putting the zip in and I trimmed the size. HAHA, I cut the zipper pull off but not this time. That mistake is embedded in my brain to not do it again.. Here is my number 12 project finished. I did have on my list to get 2 finished in April but I'm not sure of that. I will try and get another Boro piece laid out and start to stitch it of a night. I think I will make it into a smaller bag.



I am so glad it is the weekend. I have had such a busy week at work but I cannot complain ... at least I still have a job. I am looking forward to a sleep in, some sewing and some good food.

We have not been allowed to eat out for a while and I was getting sick of the usual sandwiches so today I had a bit of fun. I put together a beautiful platter that I enjoyed very much. I called it my isolation, social distancing and celebrating life lunch. Boy did I enjoy it.



Now I am in the mood for some sewing.

I have had my Bookcase quilt blocks up on my wall for months now. It's about time I got started with something to get them finished but I didn't know how I wanted it to look. Finally an idea has come to mind so a rearrange happened. Of course that meant I need to make some more blocks. I'm doing that at the same time as I sew the rows together with the new layout. All I need to do is figure out where the book title selvages will be placed.

I have started to put the book titles on some books using selvages. There is also a book bark added to one.

I split some blocks and added black to each side so the shelves weren't over crowded. 

2 rows joined and looking good.

Hopefully I'll get some more done tomorrow as I sit and listen to an audio book.

QATW April UFO challenge was no 1. -- My Bookcase quilt...

This is the link to QATW.

https://www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com/forum/

Hopefully I can get a post done about the AUSSIE Hero quilt & Laundry Bag I have completed and posted off.

KEEP A DISTANCE, WASH YOUR HANDS, STAY HOME & KEEP SAFE...

Another pouch started - Japanese style

I loved the last pouch so much and the BORO bag I made that I decided to combine the two and make a mallet BORO ouch.

I have decided to only make it half size. About an A4 size.

I laid out the little patches of Japanese fabrics and started to stitch.

The backing is covered in Hexies..

BORO BAG IS DONE.

My fat quarter was stitched and trimmed. The handles are a good match.

I have chosen this double side fabric for the top binding.

It was used in the bag and matches perfectly.

Well, my bag is all finished. The handles are on.

I LOVE IT.

I have already used it and I want to make more.

I started with a fat quarter size, added some wadding and a RED apple backing for the lining.

At least I was still keeping with JANUARYs theme colour.

Stitched all my BORO then just folded it in half and sewed the side seams.

Did my dog ear corners on the base, pleated and bound the top.

Added handles and here you have a beautiful bag.

Now I want to stitch some more BORO.

I'll decide on a starting size.  I might make a pouch with a plastic top.

My BORO Bag

I have finished doing all this stitching
It is my version of BORO.
Not traditional, as it has wadding in the centre.
Thanks to Jenni for giving me a pile of her fabrics.
It has added to the variety.
I know I want to make some sort of bag, but just what sort of bag ... I'm still thinking.

My square is all trimmed 

Now I just have to work out what to do with it.

I thought I had an idea but I love it that much I want to make something that I will use all the time and have it on show.

It has been a lot of work so far...