I finally finished this sashiko tote yesterday. I'm glad to have it finished and I learned a lot. I showed it to Kaela and will send it to her along with the baby quilt (which I've finished, but I'm waiting for the cherry blossoms to take a good photo!).
The pattern is in this lovely book of projects by various designers. The bag happens to be by sashiko sensei Yoshiura's daughter.
I won't show the instruction pages (copyright) but..... suffice to say.... it was rough going for this non Japanese reader! And my mind just has trouble with anything 3-D. I just had to finally dig in, wing it, and get it done.
The lining is a luscious Liberty - and the bottom is improvised with cardboard because.... no taking trains to fabric stores right now to get a proper plastic piece.
A few process shots to jog my memory if I ever make another one:
I ironed this panel to some kind of two-sided iron on fleecy interfacing, then backed it with muslin - and because now it was quite thick, I quilted those lines on the machine rather than adding more sashiko lines, through all three layers, as the pattern required -
(Making the handles.... a long and boring story... forget it! ... live and learn)
Put bag into inside-out lining:
(Next time, make the lining such that the open seam will be on the bottom, not the side)
Sew all around, then pull everything out of the gap in the lining. Top stitch all around the top of the bag.
Cover plastic (or in this case cardboard) with lining fabric fitted to the bottom of the bag.
In other news... well, what other news, besides COVID19? Every single morning, and sometimes in the middle of the night, I wake up and check the news and it seems every time, there's some big change or announcement or worry in the U.S. We are glued to FaceTime, talking with our kids and extended family. I know that we all have loved ones we are concerned about. I really think it's so important to be serious about social distancing.
In Tokyo, things are quiet, getting a little more relaxed. It's hard to say, because there hasn't been a lot of testing, but it seems that the curve is flattening out here?
This woman and her dog are social distancing together, eating lunch outside -
This week David and I have decided no more restaurants, but that we will get takeaway now and then. Definitely no trains (it's been weeks since we've been on a train).
Cloud gazing is free, and safe. Have you ever seen this TED talk about clouds? It's sweet.
Cynthia
Oh my what an accomplishment! I can't imagine making something so seemingly complicated without being able to at least read the directions. Kudos to you! It is lovely and I'm sure your daughter will love it. I can just imagine how helpless you feel not being able to fly home at this time. Things will settle, although I do feel like we are in for a rough ride until they do. Our boatyard is shut down to boat owners and non essential personnel. I have witnessed vulture like behavior from some people here and that frightens me far more than any virus. Our local market has been wonderful in making sure their customers get what they need and posting notices to please only buy what you need and remember your neighbors. I have volunteered to help take food and essentials to the elderly but they are limiting that service to health care workers only. Stay safe and healthy my friend!
ReplyDeleteLove your sweet bag--those fabrics are wonderful! We are finally on lock down here--almost everything closed except for grocery and pharmacy stores. My hubby needs to pick up a prescription later today--not sure if it is safe to let him back in the house---lol! This is all so crazy but great for extra sewing time. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteLove your bag. Keep safe my friend. Hugs
ReplyDeleteGood for you, for sticking with it to finish your bag, despite the challenges. Well worth it! Patterns baffle me. I have such a hard time interpreting instructions they might as well be in Japanese!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you in Tokyo are getting used to the "new normal" in regards to COVID. We just started a pretty severe lockdown here (Santa Cruz, CA) and i sincerely hope it slows the spread.
I love TED talks - I'll check that one out!
Beautiful bag! The turning is always the hardest part for me.
ReplyDeletelizzy
Wonderful bag! Cloud watching is a great pastime and so relaxing, we could all use a bit of that! Stay safe and healthy!
ReplyDeleteYour bag is beautiful. I have a hard enough time making bags when I can read the direction. Extra points for you. Hopefully, we're all adapting to the new norm.
ReplyDeleteWell, I just keep coming back to the sashiko and that wonderful handle. I adore this bag, every bit of it, but especially the "nubbiness" of the sashiko and those little ties on the handles. I'm thinking the intermittent nubs in the sashiko is a special stitch? My 15 days of sequestering at home began at noon today after letting a few of our quilting ministry members find fabrics for at home projects and one who needed to borrow a machine after her Janome died last night. The virus has hit very close to home with an active case in the extended family of one of our members who is under mandatory quarantine now. We are all praying for the best for their entire family.
ReplyDeleteYou did an amazing job--I can't fathom making that with only pictures and Japanese instructions. You are brave, and obviously very talented.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to resume your normal life soon.
Your bag is BEAUTIFUL!!! Ah... I think I have some sashiko thread somewhere but I never get to a project because there is so much to quilt!
ReplyDeleteMy area of Japan is quiet too with not too much panic going on. More of a question of whether we should go out (to the store, to the pool, to church etc.) or just stay in the house. This week it has mostly been sitting at home!
You did a fine job on that bag. Trying to figure out instructions in Japanese must be difficult ... unless it is knitting or crochet which has the stitches all coded on a graph. You are a lot better of staying inside than I am ... have to sneak out or go nuts.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely bag! Well done! I really struggle to sew anything that is 3D so I try to avoid it!
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