omiyage

I took an IKEA bag to Spotlight. One of though gigantic blue ones that can hold two laundry baskets, three lamps, place settings for six, 11 drawer pulls and a side table for good measure. I actually took it to Spotlight. I needed some polyfill. It seemed reasonable at the time. Only when I was on the bus did I realize how dangerous it was to allow myself so much carrying space in a fabric store. It worked well because I came home with a bolt of fabric that I did not need. Yes, a whole bolt. It was on sale. I wanted about 10cm worth, but I bought the whole thing for $15. It's about 9m of fabric, so I'm sure I'll find some use for it. You may even see it one day in a giveaway.

Inspired by Jess [brown owl, new blogger and librarian] I went and got myself a local library card. Hello Waverly Library. I went straight over to 646 and 740s in the dewey decial classifications for sewing and decoartive arts. After very little debate and even less thought, I came home with two books. The first is Simple Screenprinting by Annie Stromquist and the other is Omiyage by Kumiko Sudo.

I was so pleased by the things in Omiyage, that I just had to show them to you. In the introduction, the author uses the phrase "tiny but delightful" which I think perfectly captures the hangmade gifts in the book. Enough blabbing, see for yourself:







Those are just five of the delightful treats in the book complete with patterns and directions. I can hardly wait to start my own sea bass purse, though I have no idea when, where or why I would ever use one.

The book is from 2000, but because I just started sewing this year, everything is new to me! I have the book for three weeks, so I'll post more pictures in time. I'd love to hear what books you recommend. I have a library card now!