Maia B

I'm a huge fan of Susan Briscoe. Have 3of her books and use them all. If I could keep only one book, it would likely be one of hers. She teaches sashiko, appliqué, piecing, and quilting in one book!

Mrs B

Ali I love your Japanese quilt blocks and your fabrics are beautiful.

ali

Thanks so much, Mrs. B! I'm having fun (mostly :)) and learning so much. I really appreciate your comment!

emerald46

I love the blocks and the fabrics.

kheliwud

Gorgeous. I haven't made any Japanese quilts "yet", but I have one on my to do list. I am wanting to do one using the taupes and beiges, or an all blue one. I collect Japanese quilt books and magazines and they always inspire me!

MTS

While those blocks look technically simple from a construction perspective, they are actually renditions of Kasuri woven patterns (double ikat) that are/were part of Japanese woven textiles for centuries.

My friend just did her version of Susan B's Kasuri Sampler, and someone also made the comment about it containing simple blocks. :roll: :roll: They didn't get it.

Here's a link to some actual kasuri blocks - the patterns are the result of the weaving:
http://e-gasuri.com/ikat/204-geometric.jpg
http://e-gasuri.com/ikat/170-pines.jpg
http://e-gasuri.com/ikat/181-turtle.jpg
http://e-gasuri.com/ikat/240-hoju-noshi.JPG

Because it's so labor intensive, the amount of fabric being produced is seriously reduced. There are some machine made kasuris on the market, but you can immediately tell the difference. Blech. And any of the new handmade stuff is $$$$$$.

I collect rolls (bolts) and older kimonos made from kasuri fabric - I've got over 300 designs in my collection. And some boxes I haven't even been through yet. :roll:

It's just amazing, gorgeous fabric, and the skill and talent and love the artist had for the work is evident.

And, btw, Susan's TAUPE book is also GORGEOUS. I think it's even better than the Indigo one (even if I'm more partial to indigo than Daiwabos). The production value is off the charts - it ain't your typical C&T jelly roll book.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...+taupe&x=0&y=0

Rebecca VLQ

SO cute!!! :D

(add this one to the list of things to try!)

ali

Thanks, MTS, for all this great info! I see sashiko in some of the images; patterns and directions for sashiko are also in Briscoe's Japanese Quilt Blocks. I have the "Taupe" book on order--eagerly waiting its arrival!

ali

I agree, Maia. These books are a treasure trove of useful information--history, technique, and patterns!

kateyb

Years ago I started a quilt with blocks like the upper left. Didn't know it was a Japanese pattern. Just an idea I had. I use leftover fabric for it so it is a work in progress. When I have enough squares for a queen size quilt I'll put them all together. May not be a work of art but it will provide warmth.