It's All Her Fault!

After quite a few emails, and my futile attempt at trying to ignore them, Erika sucked me into the world of Japanese Crafting!! On one of my lunch breaks last week I picked up these:

The one on the left is "Bags & Specials with Applique Accents" ISBN 4834755371; the one on the right is nameless in English, however the ISBN is 4529040011. Both contain the *cutest* bag patterns and ideas. The only catch is, well, it is all in Japanese... I'm not kidding:

Erika and I are officially off our rockers! Luckily the diagrams are extremely detailed.

One of the ones I fell in love with (there are many)...

...(minus the pear bit)... I started last night after an New Year's afternoon jaunt to Joann's with Erika. First off - calculating and constructing the pattern pieces:

Yes, that is a cereal bowl... this is what happens when there isn't a protractor and compass to be found anywhere! (Guess what kids, you really do need them in real life!) DH and I searched high and low for the perfect circle that would fit... and it ended up being the bowl.

After completing the pattern pieces:

It was time to cut the fabric!

I decided on a different applique, a flower that was on another bag. So, it was off to Joann's again to pick up felt and yarn:

And after more construction of pattern pieces and some spray adhesive:

But that's not all... there is hand embroidered embellishments on the front of the bag as well as on the flower. Here it is a couple of hours later:

And, well, after a few more hours, more sewing, ironing on of interfacing, more hand embroidery, I have this:

Anti-climatic, I know... but my fingers really could not take it anymore! Jamming a larger size needle threaded with yarn into multiple layers of fabric and felt is literally brutal on the fingers... mine are just throbbing! I need a break. But, don't worry, she's just about done... one more line of hand stitches on the handle, and the sewing machine construction, then she will be finished!

This is just one of MANY I want to make. Thanks a lot Erika - I need another obsession like I need a hole in the head!

Comments

[Erika]

The bag looks FANTASTIC!!! You are so creative! I love the flower.

Yes, it is all my fault. I will take full responsibility for your new crafty venture. When such an amazing discovery is made, you want to share it with others. I felt it was my duty to share it with you! And on a more selfish note, I couldn't go down this path alone...I needed a friend to join me in my insanity!!!! :-)

[Marisa]

Thanks!

I still think you should start a blog! Just think of all the things you could share...

[mimsie]

Oh my gosh, that bag is looking adorable! Love the flower!

[Kris]

Oh, so cute! Must remember I don't exactly *like* sewing....