Japanese by Adoption

My teacher friend and travel companion loves all things Asian, especially Japan. We were part of a teacher delegation to China 10 years ago and then 5 years ago traveled to Korea and Japan through UCLA/Freeman Foundation. Debbie's knowledge and enthusiasm for all things Asian shows in her classroom.

My goal was to make a retirement quilt that matches her adopted heritage.

I designed the pattern to focus around the geisha girls and to use fabrics from my stash. It still gets a black border and of course, quilting.

"IRISES and PEONIES"

As I've said before, my daughter-in-law loves purple. She also loves large bloom flowers. When she graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, I made this lap quilt for her. The pattern, Circles of the East, was presented by my Adult Ed. teacher but the applique technique was passed on to me by a good quilting friend.

After looking at photos and quilt images of irises, I drew my own representation. Each piece was traced and the final sheet of pattern pieces scanned. These were then printed on contact/label paper and cut out. The sticky side is placed on the right side of the fabric and cut adding seam allowance. Using a glue stick, edges are turned under with a pointed tool such as an awl. When dry, the contact pattern is removed so it can be used again.

To assemble the flower, place the original drawing inside a baggie (place a cardboard inside too). Glue base pieces to the plastic and top pieces to underlying fabric. The completed flower can then be pulled up, pinned to the background and hand stitched. Note: The glue doesn't interfere with the hand applique process, doesn't make the fabric stiff and will eventually wash out.

The remaining circles were fussy cut from as Asian fabric of peonies and koi. I then hand quilted around the flowers and an Asian pattern in the background.

"JOURNEY to the ORIENT" 2003-2004

This quilt started as a twin/day bed cover (the center panels). We moved the same year and the project grew into a king size quilt. I was oh so green. Based on my garment sewing skills, I cut with scissors and pieced my design.

I found the snails trail pattern online but the fan on the sides, I developed on my own.

My love of all things Asian came early on from my father who spent a month in Japan when I was only five. He came home with crates full of Japanese arts and crafts. Mother sewed with the fabrics and decorated our home. These objects and Dad's experience became my favorite thing to share at school through Jr. High.

By the time I was ready to machine quilt, my teacher friend recommended Mountain Quilters in Sky Forest, CA. They did a fantastic custom quilting job, making all my "lumps" disappear.

“SERENITY”

In 2005 I had the opportunity to travel to Japan as part of the Freeman Foundation grant for teachers. I purchased a tapestry featuring a famous rock garden. I made this table runner to feature this one of a kind souvenir. My inspiration came from East Quilts West by Kumiko Sudo.