DIY

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New Sashiko Kits!

I’m delighted to announce I’ve placed some new sashiko kits in my Etsy web shop.

The first is a do-it-yourself sashiko and patchwork brooch. I am excited about this one, as you can tell by the goofy grin on my face. Kits contain a brooch setting, sashiko instructions and materials, and a selection of beautiful fabrics, including plenty of Liberty of London and Echino cottons.

I think these kits would make a nice gift for someone who likes to craft. I would give one to myself if I could. But that is weird. Sashiko Brooch Kit, $15

The second kit is inspired by the upcoming holiday season. This trio of starry night ornaments with sashiko stitching is a nice way to add your own handmade holiday cheer. Kits include fabric, patterns and sashiko materials, and heavy charcoal gray felt for stability and backing. It is really nice felt, I went for the good stuff. The crisp lines of these stars are simple to stitch, but look quite fancy hanging in a set.

Can you believe I found a Christmas tree look-alike in Tokyo this time of year? I can’t. I thought I would have to wait for the $500 trees to arrive and then photobomb them with my ornaments. I’m talking snap and run. But I didn’t have to wait that long. I just photobombed my neighbor’s bushes instead. I don’t mind if they think I’m strange, I already put more wine bottles in the recycle bin than they do, so they expect such things from me, no doubt. Starry Night Sashiko Ornaments Kit, $20

You can check out other sashiko kits and gift items in my Etsy shop. Thanks!

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Happy Kitchen, Happy Family

I have a confession. For the previous three weeks I was cattin’ around the US. I took a wee vacation to visit family, and what else to you do with your family on a lazy Saturday afternoon? You drink beer and make some Happy Kitchen, that’s what you do.

Before I left Tokyo I picked up a few of these kits to give as gifts. I don’t think other people are as excited about them as I am, but that didn’t stop me. These little Popin’ Cookin’ and Happy Kitchen candy-making kits are very cute, and a really good example of Japanese homestyle cooking: just add water.

Just kidding (kind of). These kits are just for fun and meant for children. Add water and poof! You’ve got a square meal of panda and donuts. Accompanied by some local beer, they suddenly become the perfect way to entertain your parents while dinner simmered. We chose the donut kit and dove in.

The kit comes with everything you need: vanilla and chocolate dough mix; vanilla, strawberry and chocolate frosting mix; crunch topping; sprinkles; donut molds; mixing bowls; measuring cup and mixing spoon. The directions are listed on the back of the box in Japanese, but the pictures give enough direction that you could figure it out in a pinch.

Each packet requires just one cup of water to be added to create the perfect texture — what science! Here dad illustrates the dough-making, and mom does the donut-mold-making. Now that is teamwork.

Everyone got to decorate. My mom disappeared to The Craft Room and returned with a mini spatula for our mini donut assembly line. There was some discussion over whether sprinkles or crunch were the superior topping choice.

The peanut gallery insisted I place them on a bigger plate. They needed to look as mini as possible.

Everyone took a taste. The consensus? Like play-dough and strawberry milk. Not bad, but not good either. I’d rather wait for the real thing, mini or not. Perhaps that’s the real difference between me and the 5-year old this kit was meant for. Though the donut flavor was a little disappointing, this kit delivered what was promised: a happy kitchen, full of a happy beer-drinkin’ family.

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Stitch Lessons

I bought this Japanese craft book a few weeks ago and have thumbed the pages many times, trying to decide which pattern to stitch. They don’t make it easy.

The title translates to “Stitch Lesson: 6 basic stitches for lines and surface embroidery.” The book begins with basic instruction in the Big Six: outline stitch, backstitch, chain stitch, satin stitch, long and short stitch, and the couching stitch. In truth, I could use the help. I lean pretty heavily on the split stitch with a fat ol’ six strands of floss, so I thought this book would provide inspiration for some much-needed practice in the dainty-stitch spectrum.

Each page spread presents one project, the complete design on linen on the left and full-size stitch diagram and detail on the right. Patterns and project instructions are relegated to the back.

It is a beautiful book, but let’s be honest — the real reason I bought it was for the very last pattern:

Mmm, pudding.

I acquired some linen swatches that seemed perfect for dainty pudding stitches, but in truth, am having difficulty transferring the detailed patterns onto these coarser fabrics. So I might switch back to cotton, or maybe I’ll just stop whining. I’ll let you know how it goes!

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First Dress

I made a dress. And I took my picture and will let you see my face.

These are big steps. Admittedly, I’m a little nervous.

This is the first dress I have sewn. Maybe I made a dress when I was a kid, but I don’t remember it so it doesn’t count. My friend Thewallina helped me decipher the pattern from BurdaStyle Magazine, and I pieced it together on my own. It was simple and satisfying, the prefect project.

I bought this fabric for 100 yen a meter in Fabric Town, so I felt OK just going for it — no practice muslins for this girl. I misaligned the stripes because I like it that way, and when you sew your own clothes you can do whatever you want! If I make this dress again, I’ll omit the pockets because honestly, they’re useless.

I made this dress a few weeks ago and have been saving it for the right occasion. I finally got tired of waiting and wore it to the supermarket. It was a really hot day, and this dress was cool and breezy. I realize these are the key characteristics of a muumuu, and this dress might actually resemble one if you look closely enough, but that doesn’t matter because I made it. So all you naysayers, back away slowly.

Because I made a dress, and then I wore it in public.

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Sashiko Tissue Case Workshop, The Etsy Craft Party 8/25

As I hinted before, I’ll be hosting a sashiko workshop on Saturday, August 25th at the Etsy Worldwide Craft Party! Email me at sakepuppets@gmail.com to reserve a spot or see below for more details.

It sounds like the event is shaping up to be a really fun night, so I hope you’ll join us. Etsy gatherings in Tokyo are always a great opportunity to meet other sellers, trade advice about our shops, and generally chat about craft life in Japan. I’ve met some wonderful people at past Etsy parties who have since become good friends, so I’m looking forward to this one as well.

This year’s Etsy Craft Party theme is “Wish you were here!” so we’re celebrating what makes summer unique in Japan — festivals! Etsy is sending craft supplies for lots of DIY activities, including a photo booth, laser-cut designs, a photo frame workshop, lots of food and cheap drinks. I hope to see you there! Click this link to RSVP — the more attendees, the more craft loot Etsy sends us! So please sign up!

Saké Puppets Sashiko Tissue Case Workshop

When: Saturday, August 25th 7-8 pm
Where: FabCafe in Shibuya  (Access map)
Cost: ￥2000 per person for workshop participants. Entry to the Etsy Craft Party is free and includes snacks, drinks available for ￥500 at the bar
The Project: Make your own sashiko tissue case! Together we’ll hand-sew a pocket tissue case and learn how to use sashiko embroidery to decorate it with fun and modern designs. Choose your favorite fabric, colors, patterns, and embellishments! The workshop will be held in English, but help in Japanese is available.

Space is limited so please email me at sakepuppets@gmail.com to sign up. Thanks! I hope to see you there!

開催日：2012年8月25日（土）
開催時間：19:00 〜 20:00
場所：FabCafe 渋谷（アクセス）
参加費 :１人￥2000 、Etsy Craft Party は無料、お酒と飲み物は￥500
作るもの：ポケットティッシュケース

いつもバッグの中に入れておくものだから、手作りのティッシュケースだと楽しいですね。

ワークショップでは刺し子作りなどを通じて、楽しく英語を勉強できます。ワークショップ = 手芸 ＋ 楽しい英語!

英語では難しければ、日本語のヘルプもあります。

ワークショップに参加をご希望の方は、以下のアドレスまでご連絡下さい。ご質問もお気軽にどうぞ。（英語・日本語どちらでも結構です）
連絡先：sakepuppets@gmail.com

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Mosquitos Don’t Scare Us

They tried — those little blood-sucking devils! — but craft prevailed, and we had a lovely time sewing in the park.

Sunday’s session of the English Craft Club was the nine-patch quilting class. We started on some fluffy grass under a tree in Shinjuku Gyoen, and after valiant battle with some mosquitos we retreated found a better spot in a nearby picnic pavilion. The mosquitos may have bullied us, but they couldn’t damper our craft spirits.

My favorite part of these quilting classes is watching everyone choose their fabrics. For each class I bring pre-cut fabric squares so we can get right to work designing our quilt blocks. I’ve been collecting this fabric for the past two years, and some I brought with me from the US, so it is always interesting to see the fabric find a new life in someone’s quilt. Here is Thewallinna making her first quilt block. So sweet!

The next quilting class will be held on Sunday, September 23rd, and a special Saké Puppets sashiko workshop is scheduled for August 25th at the Etsy Craft Party in Shibuya. Stay tuned for more details!

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Lady Liberty

Riding the high of my two handmade shirts, I decided to try my hand at embellishing an otherwise plain tank top. Just jazz it up a bit.

I spotted some Liberty of London bias tape on sale at Yuzawaya and couldn’t pass it up. Normally around 600 yen for 2 meters, it was half price. And I got an additional 30% off but don’t ask me why because I have no idea. When a woman wants to give me money back, I just smile and nod at her.

My face is making a very deer-in-the-headlights sort of expression, and thus the crop.  Perhaps it was because the neighbor was peeking at me, wondering why a strange girl is smiling at her wall.

In truth this project posed a bit of a challenge because I’ve never sewn knit fabrics before. I know you are supposed to zig-zag, turn in a circle, jump up and down and sing a song in order to sew correctly with knits, but in the end it was easier for me to hand stitch. A DVD movie marathon later, I had myself a new tank.

I love the little bit of pizzazz the bias tape gives the tank. It’s not too much color. I know it is summer, but let’s not get crazy!

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I made a shirt.

I totally did. I turned a piece of fabric into something wearable.

Ignore the wrinkles and the pink belly button dot. If I can’t see them then you can’t see them. That’s the way it works, right?

And no, I’m not going to model it. I thought about the idea, but really… guys, I’m an awkward lanky goof, and when there is a camera involved it’s a hot mess.

But back to my shirt. My shirt! A friend was wearing one she made, and when I commented on how much I liked it she bullied encouraged me to try sewing one for myself. I ordered the pattern online that same evening, and with speedy, instant gratification it was sent via PDF five minutes later.

All I could think about was sewing this shirt. I was possessed. I bought fabric the next morning, brought it home and washed it and watched it air dry, drumming my fingers, telling it to hurry up already.

It took me 4 hours to make, start to finish. Everything that could possibly go wrong did. I sewed the pocket upside down, then the side seams inside out. I had to rip out all the stitches but I didn’t mind. I was making a shirt, yo.

And then it was finished and I was in love. I put it on immediately, which was easy to do because I was wearing only my underwear solely in anticipation of the moment when I could put on my bespoke top. Bespoke — la tee dah!

Then I sat down and sewed another one.

I told you, I was possessed. The second one has a hand-sewn pocket. I used more expensive nani IRO fabric (I was ready!) and it only took me an hour. I’ve already worn it twice.

What shall I sew next?! Do you have pattern suggestions? Please send them my way! I’m giddy! I want to sew all the shirts!

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Super Deco!

Fellow Craft Club host Kim and I spent the afternoon making samples for our next class, Super Deco iPhone Cases. When I was 12 I bedazzled a jean jacket, but this is by far the most sparkly thing I have ever made:

I named mine Strawberry Sweetcake and Kim’s is Gothic Love. We didn’t make it far from the bead shop before ripping everything open. We huddled in the corner of a chain coffee shop with our gems, ice coffee and glue fumes, sticking sparkly things to other things with wild abandon.

 

Want to make one too? Come to the Craft Club! The Super Deco iPhone class meets Sunday July 22nd at 1 pm in Shinjuku Gyoen. All materials included and snacks for ￥5000, bring a friend and cost is just ￥3500 each. (Such a deal! Kim bought a similar case, ahem, our inspiration, at a Tokyo boutique for ￥6500!) Check this page for more details.

スーパーデコiPhoneのケース
2012年7月22日（日）13:00ー14:30

含まれる材料：iPhone４のケース、ビーズとキラキラ、レッスンメモ、お茶とお菓子
場所：新宿御苑 (ホームページ) 地図
参加費 :￥5000 –> お友達と参加すると割引があります！ ２人＝￥7000

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A Lovely Crafternoon

I wanted to share a few photos from our Craft Club in Shinjuku Gyoen this past weekend.

This is what a craft class looks like before students arrive:

And this is shortly after:

I love it. It’s chaos, but the best kind. Here everyone is choosing fabrics for their quilt blocks from the pile of pre-cut squares I brought. Honestly, I think this is the hardest part. Sometimes I spend hours just staring at fabric, getting those color combos just right, and then sometimes I just grab randomly. I’m still not sure which method works better. (And yes, that is pudding on my pin case.)

For those who are curious (and I know you are!), in a rare tell-all moment, the inner workings of a quilt class are finally revealed. She’s lifting up her skirt and showing you everything, that dirty little quilt class.

The true secret to a great quilt? Ice coffee. Always coffee.

The Flying Geese start to take shape…

Everyone in class was planning to do something different with their quilt blocks: some were keeping them for a larger quilt, another was making a pillowcase, and one person decided maybe she’d like a coaster-sized quilt block rather than a placemat. 🙂 I attached mine to a tote bag.

I decided this Flying Geese pinwheel looks like the geese are stuck in a tornado.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us on Sunday! The next class in the quilting series will be held Sunday August 12th, and we’re decorating iPhone cases on July 22nd! Hope you’ll join us. (For class info, check this link. Thanks!)