Something Special

Komebukuro (Japanese Rice Bag): 2023

Christmas 2022 passed in a flash and as we were also getting ready for an earlier-than-usual departure to join Miss WJ3 in the delightful Chesapeake Bay, I didn’t find time for a whole lot of stitching.  Including finishing quilting that last quilt sitting idle in my “ready for quilting” box!  Such high hopes! 

It was #1 son’s hasty change of plans to move north (a sea change) that made me think about a fairly quick gift for him to take away.  I had enjoyed making my earlier versions of a Japanese Bag, so on 29 Jan 23 (2 weeks before our overseas departure date – oh the pressure!) decided to make a very small boro stitched one for this occasion.  Of course, I delved into my box of precious Japanese fabrics, selecting a Katazome design as an outer and a Yuzen for the lining.  Well, I hope I got the correct fabric types!

Boro is my current new fad.  I’d taken to finishing my Joan Bag pieces using this method, but kept the stitching linear so as to not detract too much from the fabric design. (This piece was given to me by Joan.)  For the same reason, I chose not to do any fancy boro twists & turns, but stick to a linear design.  All the better to see my pretty Japanese fabrics. 

The pattern I chose this time, was a Swan Pattern; a small knot bag.  As I was using quilt wadding behind my stitching, the ties were thus too heavy (better to use the recommended interfacing instead).  So, I adapted the rice bag closure to non-lined tabs & a cord.

 

Just for the Record:
Bag Finished Size: H 13.5; W 12; D 8cm (or H 5¼; W 4¾; D 3¼ inches)
Bag Finished: 9 December 2022
Pattern Name: Japanese Knot Bag
Pattern Source: SWAN Family Pattern (see link above)
Fabrics Purchased: Japan, 2000
Fabric Technique (outer):Katzome
Fabric Technique (lining): Yuzen
Fabric Style: Blue &White
Materials Type: Resist Dyed Cottons
Stitching: Sashiko stitch using Sashiko Thread
Wadding Type: Cotton (Warm & White, needled cotton)