Book Review: 318 Patchwork Patterns
There are so many great book reviews going on right now! I was very excited to be invited to join in the fun for Sumiko Fujita’s 318 Patchwork Patterns. This book is not new. It was originally published in Japanese in 2005. After being out of print and hard to find for years, World Book Media has finally released an English version.
Even though the title is ‘318 Patchwork Patterns,’ the book contains an amazing collection of applique designs too. If you are looking for strict patchwork, check out the other bloggers in the blog hop below. They will knock your socks off.
I am an applique girl at heart, and a collector (hoarder) of Japanese fabrics, so stitching up this little design was a real treat for me.
I think it was part of the inspiration for my Square Dance Daisy Mini Quilt (free pattern).
I’m not a classic needle-turn applique girl either, though. I love modern straight stitch, raw edge applique. So I enlarged and printed the pattern onto some HeatnBond EZ Print sheets, cut out the pieces, and fused them to some of the new Lecien fabrics that I bought at Quilt Market. I only left a seam allowance on the sides of the petals…
so I could piece the flower together before fusing it to my tote pieces. I left the paper backings on for this part too. I think it helped me piece more precisely.
The handles were an experiment. I played around with some kraft-tex from C&T. This stuff is kind of like fabric, they say it’s like leather, and although it looks a bit like paper it’s totally washable. I soaked the strips in boiling water to soften and distress them a bit before I sewed them on with buttons. I’m having lots of fun with the kraft-tex so I’m sure you’ll see it again from me soon.
I’m discovering that the trick to making cute Japanese-looking projects is to use Japanese fabrics. Duh. I think I need to take a trip over there to get a closer look 🙂
See more of my sewing book and product reviews here and see some of my free classic quilt block patterns below.
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Disclosure: some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of those links I may receive a small commission, so thank you for supporting SewCanShe when you shop! All of the opinions are my own and I only suggest products that I actually use. 🙂
I am an applique girl too! Just love your bag!
Lovely bag, it is stunning!
I like both patchwork and applique!
I like both.
I love seeing these designs on useful projects. Great.
LOVELY 🙂
LOVELY 🙂
Super cute!
I use both applique and patchwork. I think I like applique the best.
I prefer applique 🙂
The most adorable thing I ever saw! Thanks for sharing and thanks for the opportunity!
I think applique is my fave!!
O sure ask a tough question, LOL I’m new to both of these techniques but I’m getting better at the applique. Learning patchwork but a little slower at it. Love the "blue berry" patch in the middle. Absolutely charming. 🙂
I like piecing and applique. You said you need to go to Japan to get a closer look, I would love to go with you and do some exploring, too. I speak a little Japanese
I like them both but I seem to do more appliqués. I mostly sew little girl clothes, so applique just lends itself more to that. Love your blog. You are so creative and inspiring.
I love applique!
Love your darling bag! I love appliqué and hand piecing. Working with my hands is so relaxing. So excited to have a chance to win this book. Like millions of others, it’s been on my wish list.
Thank you for a super giveaway and a chance to win. My fingers are crossed, hehe.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
I absolutely love applique, though I haven’t done too much of it.
I prefer patchwork but I’d like to get better at applique!!
I prefer patchwork but I’d like to get better at applique!!
oooh – I love the patterns and the fabrics! Thanks for the giveaway
Great looking project! Looks like a fantastic book!
I love applique. This book is very inspiring.
Oh this looks like great fun. I’m curious to see more with kraft-tex.
I really like the look of applique over patchwork.
I love appliqué, usually finish with blanket stitch or needleturning but always by hand!
I like applique as well. In fact, I’m thinking about making towels for the grandchildren with an applique on them ( the towels, that is) for Christmas. Thanks for the lovely tote.
love both, thanks
I love both but I haven’t done much applique lately.
I am just learning to do Applique..do love it, but am sure slooow!!! LOL Patchwork is lil’ faster for me….
This looks very interesting. Applique is a bit harder work I find but I love the look of it.
I love machine stitched appliquè with a free hand drawing effect. I wish I had more time to do hand stitched appliquè too!
A combination of both, actually. I like making patchwork more, but I like the look of aplique. sarah@forrussia.org
I love both, just depends on the project I am working on
Love your flower! I don’t like to applique (which is weird, because I love EPP), but it sure is beautiful!
And I think we ALL should go to Japan for inspiration! (And fabric!)
I really like both, patchwork and applique. It’s hard to choose.
I love both, but since I grew up watching my mom do a lot of machine applique, I really enjoy its resurgence!
I prefer patchwork!
I love them Both, but applique is my favorite!
that is a hard decision. I love both thanks. Would really love this book. lots. Thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I’m fairly new, so patchwork is my favorite at the moment. I’m working on some applique and trying to learn and hopefully this will be my favorite soon! Thanks for the giveaway!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
I love them both but probably do more patchwork than applique.
I do more patchwork than applique, but have patterns for both. What a fun looking bag applique pattern.
Wow, that’s a tough one. I have been doing more patchwork than applique, but now that more people are accepting the appropriateness of using Heat ‘n’ bond lite, I’m liking it a lot more. I am not a needle turn girl, and probably never will. This is a great book, and I love your bag. cdahlgren at live dot com
I like the look of each patchwork and applique. I enjoy patchwork more because I am more proficient at it. Having tendencies to try to be perfect, I get frustrated with applique. Don’t even talk about free motion quilting – I am too tense for that!
I am more a patchwork girl, but I just got a cute pillow pattern with appliqued snowmen….hoping it turns out! Thanks for the give away! jacklynnsteven at netzero dot com
Definitely patchwork. So pleased this has been released in English.
I like both but patchwork I use more.
I love them both but like patchwork a little more.
I prefer patchwork quite a bit more than applique!
Applique scares me more than patchwork.
I’m only a beginner, but I love patchwork!
Applique slides in first making patchwork a close second.
So hard to chose one or the other – but I think if I was only allowed to do one or the other it would be patchwork.
Pauline
perry94022 at hotmail dot com
I am just learning to do applique, so I would have to say that currently patchwork is my preferred quilting technique. However, I think that once I get over my fear of applique, it could easily become my favorite.
I love Patchwork but I have a soft spot for applique dresden plates.
Hello, will I be able too order book, in a few months hope so love the designs an the artist you create in you, thanx