Japanese Quilting Piece By Piece: 29 Stitched Projects from Yoko Saito

I love sewing and I love all things Japanese so this book was an obvious choice when I was buying a few new books for ideas and inspiration. This one is the best of the five books I chose.There are 29 projects and while I don't like them all, there are quite a few that I feel I MUST make. I had little idea of what was inside the book when I ordered it and was pleased with the variety and originality of the pieces - 'quirky' is the word I want to use, but only in a good way! All are in taupe and often dark neutrals with hints of another colour. The reason for this is given. The colours in each one are beautifully balanced but I think I might try some of the smaller projects in bright colours too.An envelope at the back gives the actual size patterns for tracing or copying. The instructions appear to be clear, for a reasonably experienced sewer at least. I'm barely past the cutting out stage for my first project, one of the bags, but I have read carefully through several of the projects and at each step of the way I have found myself thinking 'I can do this; I know what she means'. The same cannot be said of all the books I bought recently.

It's such a shame you can't look inside this book. Yoko Saito is a well known person when it comes to patchwork and I've admired her work in many French and Japanese magazines. She uses neutral colours (a lot of browns) but you could use your own colour palette - be brave. Her instructions are very clear and the back of the book contains an envelope with full size patterns. Her designs are very detailed and some very labour intensive (but well worth the effort).There are 29 designs in this book. The easiest design (I think) is the pouch with dog and cat applique. Other designs include: Hooked Rug Bag (bag with street scene); bag with basket motifs; candlewick bag; basket with flower applique; basket wall pocket; sewing case with lemon star applique; baltimore quilt; thread case with spool applique; apron with applique etc. Her bags (of which there are many in this book) are very chic and very useable.

I chose this book because of a review on the Quilting Daily site. I fell in love with the Japanese 'taupe' fabrics that are used by Yoko Sato and some of her contemporaries at the show in Malvern and bought several fat quarters. This book helps you decide what to do with them and do it with style! The content is mostly bags but there are a few other items and the methods could easily translate into other designs.Yoko also explains that there is no need to feel upset if your patchwork is not totally square or if the seams do not meet as this is part of the charm and gives the item you are making your own 'signature'.The patterns are well explained and templates are given as necessary. There is innovation and inspiration on every page and I would recommend it to all levels from beginner to expert.

This is lovely book one you take off the shelf again again .the pictures are not all bright , as this lady uses very beige colours , the attention to detail skill in using the fabric is just beautiful what makes this lovely book some times I see idea , other times I just look at how they have been put together clever ,skilful this is also for those of you who have time patience ,it's not a bag in a day this is clear ,instructions , etc on a bag you make that you will cherish ...this book is the same ..enjoy

This book has amazing projects in it as could be expected from Yoko Saito but the photography editing is terrible. In fact so terrible that I rang Amazon to complain. I actually have a digital copy of this book and the difference between the images is astounding. The pictures in this book are so dark that you can hardly make out the true colours of the items in the photographs in some cases - really can't see the full beauty of them. They all look the same when you look through the book, a sludgy brown when in the digital version they are alive with bright accents and life. I'm surprised that Amazon are still selling such a shoddy print run.

I have been toying with the idea of buying this book for ages and am so glad I did. I have other Japanese quilting and bag making books in Japanese, but this one is by far the best. Easy to follow instructions and really good diagrams. I love the muted colours, but I am going to go for a brighter palette and see how they turn out. I can't see how anyone that enjoys sewing could be disappointed with this.

This is a fabulous book full of beautiful bags, cushions, wall hangings and more. It contains templates and clear explanations on how to make all the items in the book. The colours used are typical of those used by farmworkers for their kimonos, ie taupes and indigos, but of course if you wanted more jazzy colours these would work as well. Anyone who is interested in patchwork and quilting could do worse than add this book to their collection.

I have a collection of Japanese books which all have wonderful designs and clear diagrams and measurements so it is possible to use them even though the text is in Japanese. This new book however, is bliss as the text is in English. The projects are mostly bags with a few wall hangings includedThe photographs are excellent and if you like the subtelty of Lecien shades then this book will certainly appeal.