Old Kyoto Inspiration

Exploring Old Kyoto: 2003  (Started: 2002)

Whilst at a Hearts & Hands workshop in Wentworth Falls to make our Japanese Puzzle quilt in May 1999, we had seen another Japanese style quilt that intrigued us and were keen to make.  Yvonne had sourced patterns (it may have featured in a magazine about that same time too), so we decided to make one together.  Luckily, my stash of Japanese fabrics was boosted somewhat after the Japan trip (2000) and the time ripe for making something with blues.    

Learning Sashiko techniques with Hitomi
(Photo by Y Franges) 

Our inspiration to begin the quilt had come from a sashiko class held by Hitomi Fujita, Quilting Heart. We had met Hitomi at the recent Quilters Gathering in 2001 and the Bondi Evening Embroidery Group was keen to learn the intricacies of sashiko stitching. 

Who better to teach us than Hitomi! So with a group made up of both our embroidery (Alison & Bondi Evening Group, NSW Embroiders Guild) and quilting friends we arranged a date with Hitomi (21/4/02) to undertake some serious stitching.    

What to do with our class samples?  Well, what better than pieced up with this modified courthouse steps block?  The quilt went together well and quickly.  We added a folded trim in that lovely brick red so popular in Japanese fabrics to add some oomph.  Then the backing became a rather dynamic collection of a tablecloth I had brought in Japan, some American Japanese style prints and a few extra sashiko blocks for good measure.  It felt good to be working with a measure of "making do".

I finished it off by machine stay stitch quilting, then added crow foot tack & some ties for textural detail.

Having even more fun with the backing!

Just for the Record:

Quilt Finished Size: 133 x 133cm
Block Sizes: 24.5cm
Cut in: 21^st April 2002
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2002
Quilted: Machine & Hand 2003
Quilt Type: Workshop
Quilt Finished: 2003
Exhibited: Embroiders Guild, 2003
Collection: Gifted 3 Oct 2023
Pattern Name: Courthouse Steps (Log Cabin variation)
Pattern Source: Hearts & Hands, Wentworth Falls
Fabrics Purchased: Japan 2000
Fabric Design: Prints & Plains
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Mountain Mist Poly Batt
Backing: Cotton

Lessons Learned:
This was a nice quilt to stitch (sashiko) and make. I suspect that I got a move on to get it finished to send, along with my finished Hussif, for the Embroiders Guild Exhibition in 2003. Having deadlines can really work to advantage sometimes!

Happy Stitchers

 

Learning Sashiko Stitching

Paper Cranes: 2003  (Started: 2001)

I started this small quilt at a workshop with Hitomi Fujita.  It was a residential course, part of the 2001 Quilters Gathering held at Frensham Girls School, Mittagong 6-11 July 2001.  Yvonne & I had arrived home after our Japan adventure in 2000 with heaps of fabrics suitable for this class, so I was particularly keen to start piecing with them and of course, learn the technique of sashiko stitching.

At home on Bribie Island

Not sure of colour choices for this quilt, I took one of my boxes full of my purchases from Japan.  Hitomi and I had fun looking through my stash and we both admired the different textures and colourways available in Japanese fabric.

The workshop was well organised and I thoroughly enjoyed my peaceful days stitching in the lovely gardens around the school.  We were well looked after, the catering excellent and dorm buddies tolerant. 

However, I’m not sure I was cut out for live-in workshop life.  During a break in class, I put on the kettle and blew out the electricity.  Somehow I managed this twice, causing great consternation, especially from owners of “electronic” Berninas who thought (somewhat bossily) that the sudden power loss was going to damage their beloved, high tech machines beyond repair.  My own Bernina was later to survive a three year stint in Indian and Nepal; not only being dragged from pillar to post but also managing to cope with regular but erratic power outages. 

But we all survived, machines remained intact (although sense of humours were somewhat fragile) and I managed to complete this quilt….eventually.  

As I gave this quilt away (perhaps 7/12/2006?), I only have a few photos and no detail until my next visit.  (Ed Note: Size aprox 152cm x 152cm).  

(Hitomi had the Quilting Heart shop at the time and Marilyn, who ran the Gathering, owns Marilyn's Craft Corner in Ulladulla.) 

Adding a little extra to the backing

Signature block just a bit too subtle perhaps?