Yoko Saito's Patchwork Bags & Accessories: 25 Fresh Quilted Designs (Lady Boutique, 3494)

Yoko Saito is as much a marvel as are her books and designs. Her endless patience and imagination have created a humble empire that includes a library of exceptional delight. Many Westerners are lucky if we can complete just 1 or 2 of her projects every few years.Her newest book Patchwork Bags & Accessories is quite divine. But before I get too far along, I need to point out that ths is a 2016 US release of a 2012 Japanese edition. So, if you are one of the many of us who purchase craft books regardless of their language, you might already own the basic contents of Patchwork Bags & Accessories.There are 11 handbags, 5 pouches (which to me are still bags, just small and strapless), 1 drawstring purse, and 1 mini-bag. So, 18 of the 25 projects are essentially bags or bag-like. The remaining 7 include pillow coverings and such. I don't want to spoil it too much, but there is 1 very sweet mini-quilt.The photos and projects are much brighter than those in Saito's earlier Japanese Quilting Piece by Piece published in the US in 2012. The details of the blocks and the product's different parts are more distinct. Best of all, the fabrics really stand out and can be given their due appreciation.And like that older book, as is common with most Asian books, the projects are presented gallery-style in the front of the book. The general and specific instructions and diagrams are at the end of the book. The patterns are usually in a thick envelope glued to the back cover. However, this new book has full-size templates on pages bound into the book. In some cases, photocopying is going to be quite challenging to the spine of the book and the fully splayed hand of the user. (Please note, the copyright expressly permits copying for personal use only.) The earlier book had the patterns all combined into 1 envelope attached to the back of the book.Using Asian-inspired books requires acceptance of how other cultures tend to use craft books. For instance, say you want to know the dimensions of the "Bucket Bag" on page 10. You then must flip to page 56 where they eventually can be found on page 57. Besides the list of materials, sizes, and piece counts, the rest of the instructions are primarily diagrams that may bend your brain a bit. For instance, the "Bucket Bag" has only 5 steps in its instructions. Yet there are 14 diagrams, many of which refer to none of the steps.Lots of tiny pieces, inset seams, appliqué, templates, and handwork like blind whipstitching may well send timid souls running. Others, however, will be forever drawn to the seemingly impossible possibilities of Saito's artistry in quilted textiles.

love this book. great inspiration. I have not made any yet but I plan to make several of the projects. the only thing I would like better is if the patterns were separate at the back like many other of this author or if the book were spiral bound. I might go to an office store and have my copy converted to spiral.

A variety of wonderful bags, totes and small pouches. Wonderful and inspiring work. Not for a beginner sewer though as instructions can be sparse if you don't have sewing experience.It is one of those books that is hard to put down.I am making one of the appliqued pouches for my mom for her birthday.

Yoko has put together fun projects with good directions. This is an excellent book for those who love to sew up bags of all kinds and sizes. How to make up a patchwork piece to use for fabric in your project is clearly explained. Lots of inspiration here. Thanks Yoko.

Yoko Saito is amazing. While some of the bags in this book are too small for me, several patters can easily be made larger. The book is also very inspirational and instructional in terms of color and how to use small-scale blocks for unique and interesting overall patterns. Part of the effectiveness of the patterns is how Saito chooses subtle fabrics yet uses them to greatest visual impact. While I have not yet made any of these projects, I have read through the directions and the instructions are clear and thorough. I love the taupes/Japanese wovens/Daiwabos and these projects could be made with similarly toned fabrics available from US fabric companies with equally beautiful results. It would be interesting to see these patterns made with non-taupe fabrics (certainly possible) and, I suspect, would take quite a bit of color talent to come up with combinations in totally different colorways that are equally stunning.

lovely

Received quickly, lovely book, numerous designs I plan to try without the patchwork - I want to try the purse shapes first. I would like a couple more of Yoko Saito's books as she has lots of beautiful bags.

great book

Absolutely brilliant

Fascinating book

A good book, not made any yet so can't comment any further

Excellent descriptions and details

Excellent