Yoko Saito project and book

Project Designs by Yoko Saito

Yoko Saito is my all time favourite designer. I remember seeing a small advertisement for one of her amazing bag designs in Quilt Mania magazine and from that point onwards I was hooked!

Since that day I have been collecting Yoho Saito's books. Unfortunately for me, most of her books have been published in Japanese or French, however this has not deterred me in the slightest. I am still able to ponder over the photos of her exquisite designs which continually inspire me.

One of the qualities that I admire so much about Yoko's work is that many of her projects are worked by hand. Yoko's designs often combine needle turn applique, hand embroidery, hand piecing and of course hand quilting. She is an amazing talent.

Over the Easter break I decided that it was about time that I stopped just admiring, it was time to pick up needle and thread myself and attempt one of her projects.I selected a small bag project from the book Motifs de Patchwork. This book by Yoko Saito includes 156 blocks and a variety of ideas for incorporating them into stunning projects.

This is the project I selected from the book. If you look closely you will notice that the front section is made up of four blocks. Each block is only 4" (10cm) in size and all those little pieces are hand pieced.

 I have to confess that I spent the whole day piecing just one block which I had to undo numerous times. It is difficult to appreciate just how small those template pieces are, which is why I placed a pin next to them. Those little tiny triangles are the ones that caused me the most grief, they are half of a quarter!

Eventually I got the first block together which is far from perfect. Each shape is sewn together using a small running stitch. Three blocks to go and I will have the front panel complete. Then I will begin work on the side panels which are hand quilted in a cross hatch pattern. The front panel is also hand quilted so I have much to do!

I'll let you know when I get it done. Wish me luck!
If you are interested in books by Yoko Saito, here is one of the few written in English.
Click here for Yoko Saito book

Warmly Lenna