frolicking in a garden abloom with flowers made from hexagon pieces (pattern sheet A). The roomy interior of the bigger bag holds file sizes up to A4. (a little larger than 8½ x 11 in / 21.6x28cm). For the bird motif, select hardy materials such as curtain fabric. The two-way zipper makes this bag extra convenient.
Production: Big Bag / Mayumi Honma Small Bag / Toshiko Ikeda
Process Assistance: Ritsuko Ariki, Mituko Furukawa, Yasuko Oya, Mieko Nishioka, Naoko Masuda, Emiko Matoba, Emiko Mori
Pattern Sheet A
1 By quilting along the owl’s outline, the motif looks charmingly fluffed.
2 Sew together small hexagons measuring 5/8 in (1.5cm) on each side for the flower pattern.
3 The back pattern pieces are joined together to create a single fabric piece (not including the corners). Change up the look by featuring varying parts of the fabric or by using different fabric for the handles.
4 The accommodating handles can be worn on the shoulder or carried by hand. The gusset provides enough room for a pouch.
5 Inserting yarn in the batting within the handles strengthens them and ups the comfort level.
Fabric and Materials Preparation
① Recommended foundation fabric: mid-weight cotton.
② Recommended patchwork fabric: 100% cotton flat weave.
③ Quilt batting: to be sandwiched between the outer and backing fabrics. Batting comes in assorted substrates, but the samples in the book are constructed with a ¼ in (5mm)-thick, 100% polyester fusible batting.
④ Quilt backing: lightweight white fabric.
⑤ Lining fabric.
⑥ Fabric for handles and corners.
⑦ Yarn: preferably a standard weight acrylic blend. Select yarn that will not shrink in the wash.
⑧ Zipper: two-way.
The exterior is an ironing board, and the interior has two panels: one side is a marking tool that holds fabric pieces in place, and the other side is a cutting board. Measuring at 11½ in (29cm) high and 9½ in (24cm) wide, it’s a portable as well as useful tool.
① Patchwork board: a multifunction apparatus that can be used as an ironing board as well as a marking tool for patchwork pieces.
② Iron: for pressing seam allowances and for fusible quilt batting.
③ Ruler: for drafting and marking.
④ Pencil with HB or B lead: for drafting and marking.
⑤ Marking pen: preferably a water-soluble type.
⑥ Ring Thimble A: useful for protecting fingers when basting or gathering fabric pieces together. Place between the first and second joints of the middle finger. Simple Thimble B: Slip on tip of thumb while quilting.
⑦ Long needles for basting.
⑧ Quilting Needles: these needles are thinner and shorter than regular hand sewing needles. Use for piecework or quilting.
⑨ Pins: to hold fabric pieces together temporarily.
⑩ Yarn needle: needle with a large eye for sewing with yarn.
⑪ A Basting Thread: to temporarily secure fabric pieces together. B Quilting Thread: for quilting. C Regular Thread: for piecing fabrics together.
⑫ Scissors (3 pairs): A Scissors for cutting paper. B Fabric shears. C Small scissors for cutting thread.
⑬ Thicker tracing paper: for creating pattern pieces.
Pattern Drafting and Construction steps
Using plain or grid paper, trace the foundation pieces, patchwork pieces, gussets, and handles. Based on the number and size of the pattern pieces, assess how much fabric you will need. Before you start sewing, review all the steps of the process; this way the construction for the actual bag will go much more smoothly.
MATERIALS (REFER TO IMAGE ON P.12)
① Foundation fabric…29½ x 215/8 in (75×55cm)
② Patchwork Fabric (6 pieces) …8 x 7 in (20×18cm) each
③ Fusible Quilt Batting…433/8 x 195/8 in (110×50cm)
④ Backing Fabric…31½ x 13¾ in ( 80×35cm)
⑤ Lining Fabric…31½ x 33½ in (80×85cm)
⑥ Handle and corner fabric…195/8 x 10 in (50×25cm)
⑦ Yarn…As needed
⑧ Two-way zipper…195/8 in (50cm) long
NUMBER OF PIECES REQUIRED
CONSTRUCTION STEPS
1 Draft pattern pieces and cut out fabric.
2 Create flower patchwork.
3 Construct main body of bag and attach handles.
1 Draft Pattern Pieces, Cut out Fabric
Although you could measure the dimensions directly onto the fabric, it is likely that the fabric will shift along the
