books and fabrics

I've mentioned on multiple occasions that I don't buy a lot of craft books. In general, I find them stifling and derivative. The total number of craft books I own can be counted on two hands. Yes, that does include the string art book. Every so often though, I come across things worth owning.


From it's unassuming cover, you wouldn't suspect Happy Sunday is a craft book or worthwhile. That makes for an unexpected joy as you open the cover and turn the pages. Happy Sunday by UI Nakabayashi features designs and directions for totes and pouches unlike most things you see today. Perhaps ahead of it's time, this book published in 2001 brings inspiration outside the redundant and derivative books today. You'll find patterns for faucets and vacuums. You'll find the sweetest bicycle design that I've ever seen. [Aside: I know many of you are writing craft books right now. And I mean many of you... Seriously, if I see yet another craft book with yet another owl and Russian doll pattern, I might barf. As I said, I don't buy many craft books so I might not be your target market. Those owls and Russian dolls are exactly why I don't buy them. The ideas are overdone.]

I am pleased to say Happy Sunday is different. Inside you find teacups (ISBN4-579-10914-7) Inside you find patterns for all sorts of totes and pouches that use applique, embroidery and unexpected materials for simple, yet clever designs.

Though the directions are in Japanese, the illustrations offer plenty of guidance and inspiration. I highly recommend finding this book either at your local library or for purchase. It's a keeper in my craft book collection.





In addition to the directions included, photos are shown of past collections which provide more inspiration and room to grow.

The second book I purchased is one that's been in my hands each of my last five trips to Tokyo. I'm not sure why I held back. Patchwork Patterns 318 by Kumiko Fujita, 2005 (ISBN4-579-11078-1) provides a host of patchwork, paper piecing and applique designs for clever quilt blocks using Kumiko Fujita's brand of patchwork design that integrates typography and patterned elements to create dynamic blocks.






If Kumiko Fujita's name sounds familiar, she also created the ABC Patchwork Lesson craft book in my stash. In addition, she's also a fabric designer whose prints typically center around modern typography in those lovely skewed colour palettes found in Japan design.



I was so drawn to her calendar print, that I bought 2 meters for myself but ended up passing some along to other Japanese fabric collectors. I think it goes terrificly with the Echino jaguar print. The strange lemon-lime stripe might well go with the alphabet and kitchen print above. I was really into awkward yellow during this trip to Japan. My tastes are always changing and Japan is great for throwing me something different. I have an ambitious idea for these prints, which means they are likely to linger on my shelf for far too long.