Vintage Fabric Shopping with Ayumi

One of the things that I most looked forward to on this trip to Japan was getting to spend time with Ayumi of Pink Penguin. I've never had a friend in Japan, and it truly made the trip so much more special. Ayumi is one of the masterminds behind the Ringo Pie quilt bee and she organized the We (Heart) Suzuko Koseki! project. She is extremely talented and creative. She makes patchwork blocks and projects unlike any I've ever seen. Needless to say, I was very excited and lucky that I was able to spend time with her.

 

We might look a bit exhausted in that photo because we had a full, busy day!  I'm sporting my travelling hair which is quite a ruckus. Ayumi had a terrific idea to take me to a vintage fabric shop called A-materials. I'd never visited it before and was excited when I realized the store was owned by the author of my two favourite fabric samples books..

   

I know I've posted about them before, but they are books that show swatches of vintage feedsacks and dress fabrics. Perfect stocking stuffers for any fabric aficionado. The first is Vintage Fabric From the States. I got and loved it. Then I immediately bought Vintage Dress Fabric from the States. Both are available in the US and UK markets, so you won't need to scamper about to find them. Honestly, I think I burst out of my chair Ayumi said that the store owner and author were one in the same!

It's not polite to take photos inside stores in Japan. You'll have to trust me that it was very cute and proper store. You enter through a small art gallery. Then you sit on stools as you look through the most gorgeous vintage fabric swatches. Eventually I got to talk to the owner about her fabrics and how special they were. As a modern patchworker, I was thrilled to see so many original feedsacks that today's designs are based on. She suggested that I might like her third book which is about using vintage fabric to make stationery.  I knew straight away that I would fail at these projects because they involve glue, but the book would be a perfect souvenir of the trip.

   

She showed me her book project samples and talked about how easy it would be to make them. I nodded and smiled trying to convince myself that I could succeed at fabric and glue projects. "Just go to Muji and buy the pieces," she said. We all nodded and it was agreed that I would stop by Muji and pick up raw materials for making fabric stationery and homewares. 

Initially, I thought I might buy six or seven larger vintage fabric pieces, but saw a little swatch collection that had one of the fabrics that I adore from my books. It didn't matter what else was in the collection, I decided I wanted to buy the small swatch kit. I think because they are small pieces they are even more special. There are about 25 swatches all together. All remarkably special. I don't own much vintage fabric, so this was a wonderful way to get a little taste.

   

 

A-materials is a terrific store. I'm hoping to make a little e-zine with directions and notes about all of the Japanese shops that I like over the holidays. It will definitely make an appearance.  After A-materials, we ventured around to other fabric and feedsack stores in nearby towns. We were remarkably restrained in our shopping. If I go again, I'll have to guard my wallet. 

Later in the week, I did stop at Muji to get the notebooks and photo pages that we talked about in the shop. I realized that I was far out of my depth and instead bought a little ten pin penguin bowling set. It will remind me of a very special day in Japan with a truly extraordinary Pink Penguin.