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

This is another book with beautiful and inspirational projects by this author. I love looking through the book trying to decide what to try to make.

I've been a fan of Yoko Saito's work for many years and was very excited about this new book. I love the wonderful taupe and earth tone colors of her work, and the projects in this book are wonderful examples of this use of color. The directions seem thorough and clear, but I admit I haven't had a chance to try them and I also feel a bit intimidated by the precise piecing and appliqué of her work - but its inspiring at the same time as intimidating. My only complaint is that the pictures seem rather dark; they are clear enough to see the projects, but I feel that the projects would stand out more and benefit from better lighting (thus 4 stars rather than 5).If you are considering purchasing this book, you should know that most of the patterns are for purses. There are 29 projects in the book, and of these 3 are quilts, 18 are purses, and there are also patterns for baskets, an apron and cushions. I love Saito's bags so I am happy with the book, but for those that are expecting quilts might be disappointed. I didn't think the description of the book described the projects well, so hopefully that's helpful for you. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase.

I love her creativity and the variety of techniques that she shares with us. Her fiber artwork triggered a number of creative ideas for me to try so I'm really inspired by this book. If you are new to this author/artist, note that she prefers an imperfect look instead of the perfectly pieced fabric quilting style. Therefore, what appears to be quilted is really hand sewn applique. Also her color palette has a lot of dark, muted neutrals and they remind me of the colors in many of Andrew Wythe's paintings.

I bought this book hoping it'd kickstart my sewing list. It definitely did that right away. I started some long needed home decoration projects based on flipping through the pictures of these lovely quilted items.I didn't realize that patterns were included in the book, and that was an extra for me. I might not ever make exactly the project shown in the book, but I was able to adapt a pattern to be a zippered pillow case.The comments about the dark pictures have a point. They are not brightly lit. But I think it sets a tone for the book that's more in line with natural materials, callbacks to very old clothing and sewing styles, and natural lighting.

I liked this book the moment I saw the cover. There is a good variety of patterns typically Japanese in the taupe colour selection and the patterns are clear. I did think some more details could have been helpful in regards to the type of base fabric and thread suggestions also how difficult it is to work with such a small scale is really challenging, something we all rise to. I pass on this tip try using small dots of fabric glue especially with the reverse applique pieces it worked a treat. Overall a great book to have in ones collection.

I have enjoyed browsing this book a couple times just to absorb the beauty of the patterns.I begin a quilting class the last of January and in place of a quilt, I am taking this book of patterns and making the purse on the cover of the book. I never imagined there being such beautiful pieces other than quilts made by "quilting."If I never make an item from this book, I will consider the puchase well worth the cost just for the enjoyment of seeing what this woman has made.

I have just received this book and it is what I expected and more. It offers 29 projects, mostly bags - do not be fooled by the title - there are only two or three quilts. There is a lot of appliqué and a little of embroidery, the instructions in my opinion are very clear, the projects are beautiful and the photos are good. The color range is what you see on the title - neutral. If you like taupe, beige and brown, and tone-in-tone, this is for you!The author's technique is accomplished and the designs are impressive. Just flipping through the pages makes me want to take a needle in hand and start right away!

I bought this book 'cause I've been checking out the purse on the front cover for quite a few months and was delighted to learn there was a book/pattern. I whipped up the purse on the front cover over the course of a weekend. Some instructions are not complete enough, but I love so many of the projects. Lots of hand sewing/applique going on thruout. I would change some of the methods to my own way of doing things but if someone wants to follow these instructions, the projects do come out. I just would do some things differently, but I am an experienced sewer. Love the book & project. Adapting some of the surface treatments to my own patterns.

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 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.

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

I was very disappointed with this book and returned it. The photographs are of such poor quality, very dark, and showed no detail. The whole point of this publication is to illustrate beautiful Japanese quilting techniques and pieces, but all detail is lost because of the lack of skill in photographing these items. I could have done much better. The detailing of "how to" was also disappointing, the construction of the bags was relatively clear, but the patchwork and quilting processes were not explained adequately. All in all a very disappointing book. I had ordered it because it was well advertised in Quilting Arts magazine, but certainly did not live up to expectations.

I have two other books by this author, they are superb. This book has very dark photographs, the material used is dark and it is very difficult to look at the pattern properly or really to be inspired to make the quilt/bag. In comparison to my previous two books it is definitely let down by the photography and colour of cloth.