The Rising Sun {More Inspiration}

So how are your 'Rising Sun' projects coming along? Have you been inspired by Alice's post? Do you need more inspiration? Well, I may be able to help.. 

For those following me on IG or twitter, you will know that I am sewing from Japanese pattern book - and clearly my own project has inspired this post. 

What I love about Japanese sewing patterns is the simplicity of them - you can of course make the garments funkier with interesting fabric or just plain simple. 

And they do have the cutest models ever for the little ones... 

But you may need to work out the patterns first... 

Or you may be drawn to the funky Japanese fabrics... 

That have inspired some shops  

 1. Phone case here; 2. Scarves here

 And here is my own effort..

 This is not a Japanese pattern - but I would love to recreate this look with a Japanese pattern (I may need to learn piping as well..)

And to be honest if I end up being fed up with the patterns, I know what I will be doing with them... 

More inspiration from Alyce

Today we have a special guest post by Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts...

I'm thrilled that the Le Challenge ladies thought of me for this month's theme, Rising Sun. After all, living in Japan, I live and breath (and sell) Japanese fabric! We are Aussie ex-pats living in Chiba (right next to Tokyo on the Bay) for 4 years for my husband's work and we're almost halfway through that time.

 

Recently, I was was able to attend my second Tokyo Great International Quilt Festival. It is a massive quilt show held at Tokyo Dome - an indoor baseball stadium! Aisles and aisles of quilts and shopping are laid out on the field and it is a sight to behold when up in the stands, the hordes of people swarming around.

 

Despite being a "Great International" quilt show, it's very Japanese. The signs next to each quilt are mostly in Japanese, with only a few naming the quilt or quilter in English. All the Special Exhibits are in Japanese, leaving you to guess what's so special about the featured quilter, other than their amazing creativity and technical skills of course! And of course, most of the quilts have a "Japanese look" to them, which I've been pondering and trying to identify just what it is that makes them look so Japanese.

  The Fabric

 

 This the most obvious one, of course. The use of indigo fabrics and Hawaiian solids (ombre effects) are widespread, using various shades to create a fascinating visual effect.

   

 Then there is the use of popular Japanese fabrics like First Of Infinity. Granted, this particular quilt is by Kumiko Fujita herself... 

  The Style

 

 Other than using solids to create unique visual effects, and bold graphic designs like Fujita-san, Japanese quilters are also big fans of the scrappy quilt. When they do branch outside solids and use a variety of print fabrics, it's always with a scrappy effect. And usually with incredibly tiny, hand-pieced designs!

   

 Art quilts are also highly popular, in particular the highly-lifelike variety. This quilter used tiny pieces of fabrics and sparkly thread to create this incredible cherry blossom quilt, accurately recreating the light and shadows, the colours, and, the light and airy feel of the blossoms.

You can see all my photos from the Quilt Festival in my Tokyo Great International Quilt Festival Flickr set, as well as the 2012 Yokohama Quilt Festival, the 2013 Tokyo Quilt Festival and the 2013 Yokohama Quilt Festival for more Japanese inspiration! And if you are ever in my neck of the woods, I'm always happy to help out with recommendations for fabric shopping in Tokyo.

Thank you so much for the fabulous inspiration Alyce!

Remember to come back and link up your Rising Sun projects on 15th February for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop.

The Rising Sun {fabric inspiration}

Are you excited about this month's theme? Any ideas what you're making yet? Here's a fabric pull that might help inspire you...

Inspired by the colours and design of the Japanese flag you could use some Red Dots

You could use Japanese products like this pretty bundle from Japanese fabric company Lecian 

Or be inspired by nature and these Asian Peonies

I am planning on trying some Japanese Sashiko quilting at some point and this was traditionally done on Indigo fabric

You could focus on a Summery sun and chose something bright like Boho Sunshine

Or create a Sunrise Clutch by Sew Sweetness

Perhaps you could use Moon and Sun opposites

or brighten the new year with a cute Japanese character like Hello Kitty or another Kawaii creature!

Remember to come back and link up your projects on February 15th for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. New to le challenge? You can find out all about how it works here.

If you blog please grab our new button and help spread the word about le challenge.

Next up...

Happy New Year everyone! Are you all ready for a new year of le challenge?  So here it goes..

And the first theme is  .... 'the Rising Sun' - think new year/new you or Japanese or sunny fabrics! Many interpretations are possible. Projects can be as small or as big as you choose them to be!

Your homework is due on February 15 - back here of course. Remember you have to have a finished entry to have a chance to win the $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop. If you are new to le challenge, you may found interesting information here.

To go with the theme, the blog had a bit of a revamp, and a new button was made. We hope you like it!

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See you all on the 15th! We cannot wait to see your version of the theme.

And the winner is...

This month's winner is:

Number 14 is Steph Blair who made a precious hand pieced wall hanging for her friend and has won a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop!

Remember that the next theme will be posted on 15th January 2014 and we will see you then.

Season's Greetings to you all!

Le Challenge #8 Precious

Here are our entries...

We are celebrating over at Made in Home

Things didn't go to plan at Charm About You

Remember there's no new challenge as we have a winter break but we will be announcing the next theme on 15th January so be sure to join us then. We have lots of fun things planned for the new year!

If you are new to le challenge, find more information here.

For a chance to win a $25 Fat Quarter Shop gift certificate make sure you link up your finished projects and please remember to include the button or a link to Le Challenge in your blog post or Flickr description.

How did precious inspire you? 

In (desperate) need for inspiration | PRECIOUS

I was very organised last month, this month not so much. I have three potential projects for 'precious' but have started none of them. And I am now thinking none of these projects can actually be made on time. This has nothing to do with the theme - and everything to do with me not being able to sit down and actually make it. 

Anyway, instead of making something for this theme, I decided to spend some time on Pinterest and see what came up if one typed precious... 

Yep, it nearly made me cry it was so cute!

I think I will be most likely to make something for Baby MiH this time round - and you can find my knitting list here, and they may be something from there that will appear next week..  

I have also a thing for metallic thread... And this pillow is quite inspiring - sashiko in metallic thread... 

Or these tutorials could bring even more inspiration..

1. (on the left) DIY Gold mug: 2. (top right) Gold dip pear placemats;
3. (bottom right) geometric laptop sleeve

Or these precious stars...  

DIY From Pepper + Buttons

So how far are you got to with your projects? 

See you here on 15th for the last le Challenge for this year, and a chance to win a voucher from the Fat Quarter Shop! 

If you are new to le Challenge, you can find more information here.