April 4, 2010

Featherweight Challenge: From Japan

Hi From Kanazawa, Japan. We were in Tokyo in the last 5 days and we had just arrived in Kanazawa by Shinkansen bullet train (amazing speed). Here is my FC from Japan. Enjoy...!

This is my Featherweight Challenge third installment since Ria and started this challenge three months ago. My top is finished except the border. It measures 62" x 62" in size and 144 blocks with 720 strips. It's an international friendship quilt. Some of the fabrics came from Ria in the Netherlands and all the dark strips are Japanese fabrics. I got inspired to make this quilt by Kathie. Thanks so much Kathie, I will always treasure it.

My Featherweight sewing machine "Abela" is proudly presented here. Abela came from Texas, USA. She was born the same year as me so her and I are sewing sisters. I love sewing with her.

I have been sewing this quilt on our dinning table. I worked one section at a time. It might looks like that I just throw all the blocks together, but no it's quite complicated joining them together. I have to be careful not to put light and light or dark and dark blocks next to each other. It will ruin the weaving affect if I did that.
I don't have design wall, actually I don't have enough wall space for it! After I finished and pressed it late one afternoon where the sun shine into the dinning room so I hung it over the curtain rail and let the light shine through. Can you see the weaving affect now?
Ria asked me a few weeks ago if I've thought about the border? I told her no, I have not think about the border until she asked. Just then the idea came to me! I was about to leave for Japan. The land of Japanese fabrics! I can find a border fabric in Japan, woo hoo!!! Thanks Ria for asking.

I can find some fabric like these. Traditional tie-dye fabric. The photo courtesy of Japan Craft Journal. Any one of these fabric would be perfect for a border of my quilt. I only hope I can find this place. We are talking about Tokyo here. The busiest city in the world, it's going to be a challenge. Did I say I like challenge?

I'm still away for another week. Happy Easter everyone. Sorry if I don't get a chance to thanks all of you for commenting. Holiday can get very hectics...!





Posted from Kanazawa, Japan

23 comments:

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Wow! I love your quilt! And lucky you to be shopping for fabric in Japan~ have fun! :-)

Astrid said...

What a lovely quilt it has turned out to be, Nat! I just love it! Can't wait to see which border you choose for it! Happy shopping in Japan! :)

Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries said...

Wow Nat I love that weaving effect!!! Enjoy Japan, I'm sure you are and you will find the perfect Japanese fabric I'm sure...Happy Easter to you all...Dzintra♥x

Jan Hatchett said...

What a beautiful quilt you are making. I love the woven effect. I am sure you will find the perfect Japanese fabrics to finish it out!

Jan

Anonymous said...

Hi Nat. Your quilt is looking great. The effect of the quilt hanging at your window with the light behind is just beautiful!

Enjoy your last week away.

Regards, Sue

Béa said...

I love your quilt ! Happy Easter and have fun with your fabric shopping.

Lurline said...

Another gorgeous quilt - enjoy your trip - replies arn't always necessary!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Anne-Lise at Rag, Tag, Bobtail said...

Wonderful quilt! Enjoy the rest of your trip!

QuiltSue said...

I love the quilt.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

ria vogelzang said...

I so love our international Rail Fence!! What a lovely effect it has in front of the window!
Hope you find the store in such a big city!! Su can you can add a real Japanese border to it! ;))
Have a great week in Japan!
Love, Ria.

Sue-Anne said...

Hi Nat. Hope you are having a great time away. Your quilt is fantastic. Well done! Hope you find some yummy japanese fabric for the border.

Maggey and Jim said...

Wow, that is really nice and love how the light shines through..
Maggey

kaiteM said...

Nat, make the very utmost of that last week in Japan. love the weave. |<.

Janet said...

It's gorgeous Nat, I love it. What a big quilt. Enjoy your last week away.

Simone de Klerk said...

What a lovely quilt, Nat. And what a size.
Enjoy your vacation for one more week!

Terry said...

The quilt looks great with the light shinning through.
Enjoy your time away and shopping if it fits in.

myfluffybag said...

Hello Nat,
The quilt looks great! I am inspired to do one too. Kaffe Fassett hung one of his in a window too in one of his books but yours looks better. Donna has finished quilting my "Mrs Williams" quilt and has posted it. I can hardly wait to see it!! Keep having a great time. I want to see the Japanese fabrics you bought when you get back

Kim said...

Oh that Japanese Indigo fabric is to die for! Have a wonderful time.....takes lots of pictures and when you come home tell us all about your adventures. Looks like a fabulous trip.

Safe travels and Happy Sewing

ParisMaddy said...

Nat~ Greetings to you, world traveller. mmm, Japan and yummy fabrics, I know you're in for fun. Enjoy. We miss you!

ria vogelzang said...

Hi Nat,
At Terry's blog I read you were back home!! Hope you both had a safe trip!
Did you get a fabric for your border?
Have a lovely sunday!

Micki said...

i love the quilt Nat and enjoy your vacation...It looks like you are having a lot of fun!
Micki

Kim D. said...

Gorgeous Quilt Nat. Looks like you're enjoying your trip. I hope you find the fabric store.

Mescrap said...

I love your quilt !!! Lots of love, passion & effort must be 'input' too :)

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