Kimono Friendship Quilt, finished!

Here they are, the lovely kimonoed ladies all corralled up and quilted: 

These paper-pieced blocks were made and exchanged by ladies from two of our local church congregations here in Tokyo.  I blogged about it here, here and again here.  A fun collaborative project - and what a good feeling to have another finish!

I machine quilted it very minimally - straight lines using walking foot - in the ditch along the sashing and within the blocks wherever it made sense, extending the lines across the length and width of the quilt.

I do think I might add some hand quilting... but then again... will I really?  Mmmm.... realistically, no, this quilt is "done."

I pieced the backing - I know it lacks something design-wise with that big piece especially (something appliqued there would be pretty cool) ... but I feel good about it because I truly used what I already had on hand - in mottainai ("waste nothing") style. 

I'm not sure how long we will be in Japan, but I know already that this little quilt will remind me of some special friendships and connections and of beautiful Japan. 

Here's another example from our group - just beautiful, don't you agree?  Luscious!

Lesa S's Kimono Friendship Quilt

And for more kimono friendship quilt examples, as well as lots of Japan-inspired creativity, click over to Tammy's Kimonos Everywhere! post at Hikari Handcrafts.  

Trimming the kimonos

Today was a sunny and beautiful first day of spring!  It was a regular school day for the kids but a vacation day for Japanese companies.  David went fly fishing, and I had a quiet morning recovering from a non-stop day yesterday - I got some housework - and quilting - done.

I decided to take a closer look at the kimono blocks.  As with any project involving more than one sewer, there was some variation in block size and shape to contend with.  First, I trimmed them just barely, to square them up.  

 The blocks varied up to 3/4 inch in width and length, but most were easily trimmed to about 10" wide by 11" long.  The smaller ones will benefit from a little extra room in the blue borders.  With the addition of 2 1/2 inch borders, I am leaving room for trimming some blocks more than others, to make them all the same size.  So far, so good!

David got home from fishing and I met him in the neighborhood for a pizza lunch.  There is a new-ish brick oven pizza place a short walk from our apartment, and we've become regulars there (locals - it's called Pizza Strada, in the Juban).  They make just a few simple pizzas, so fresh and wonderful.  Today being a holiday the neighborhood was really hopping with people, walking, on bikes, with children, pets, friends, couples - it felt so festive.  We took a little walk around and then headed home.  More sewing, trimming.  A nice beginning to spring, and even if I do miss my trees back home, there are aspects to this home away from home that I really love too:).  Time to quilt, a small apartment to tend, rather than a house... walking distance to fabulous food... these are things I truly appreciate!  Today was one of those days when you really could feel spring in the air!

Linking up as usual  to Quilt Story Fabric Tuesday (link on my sidebar)... you will find many creative projects there!

Cheers!

Kimono Friendship loot

This morning the Kimono Friendship Quilt group met to exchange our paper-pieced kimono blocks (first blogged about here).  This hasn't been a group that's actually met together to quilt - it's been more like a co-op.  I think we've all looked forward to this day, when we could meet and socialize a bit, in some cases for the first time, and exchange our blocks!

I don't know the origin of this Friendship Quilt but I know it's been happening for years and years among the church ladies here in Tokyo.  One of my friends declined to join in this time since she's already participated three times over the course of a number of years!

Anyway... today:

First.... yummy pot-luck food - gyoza, rice, many colorful salads, homemade rolls - all delicious.

Second... we cleared the table and put our blocks in stacks in front of us in eager anticipation.

The only "rule" for this swap was to use an off-white or cream background, and I think there was an unspoken rule to use Japanese-style fabrics.

Barbara, our group leader, leaves Japan in two weeks.  We will miss her!

 Next... we circled around the table plucking one block from each stack, for a total of 12 including our own.

A little show-and-tell to give us ideas about how we might set our blocks:

Then... dessert... :)   

And finally... home to really take a good look at my kimono loot:).  

I'm not sure how I'm going to set these blocks, but I know I'm going to keep things very simple.  There's a lot going on already within each block.  Laying them out on the carpet like this makes me honestly think I might set them within a neutral taupy color - linen maybe even?  First I'll frame each block with a thin, solid border - black, teal?  I need to first consider how I will quilt it.  It may want to be hand quilted.

Sooo... for now... I'll enjoy really looking at each block as I tear the paper away.  Aren't they lovely?  Like colorful dolls:).

Kimono Friendship quilt blocks

On Sunday I handed in my Kimono Friendship blocks.  One of our group has generously volunteered to machine embroider our names to our blocks!  Next month we will meet to exchange blocks - can't wait!

I'm linking to Quilt Story's Fabric Tuesday - fun!  See sidebar for their link and consider joining in!

This was my first experience with paper piecing.  It was almost magical!  Thanks to Barbara, our group leader, for a great in-person tutorial!