This has been a good mail week for me! Nanette brought along some of her Japanese magazines and books a couple of weeks ago when we met for lunch. I loved them! Of course, I can’t read a word of Japanese, but the pictures were so inspiring! When I got home I ordered one magazine and one book…nothing like Nanette’s collection…but enough to get me started! They arrived this week, and I’ve been reading them (well, really just looking at the pictures) ever since!
I also ordered my first fabric from Superbuzzy…fabric with hexagons, of course! On the same day the books and fabric arrived, another package arrived from Stephanie thanking me for her giveaway prize (of course no thanks was necessary). Now I can make Dresden blocks with the Easy Dresden template she sent! I can’t wait! Stephanie has made some wonderful Dresden blocks here and here…and Vanessa has made this one that I love! You’ll be seeing some new Dresden blocks on my blog soon!
I also wanted to share this great tip I received from Carrie of Miss Rosie’s Quilt Company. She suggested taking this book in to have the binding cut off and a spiral binding put on! It only cost a little over $4 to have this book re-bound…and now it is so much more user-friendly– I can leave the book open to the page I’m working from and it will stay flat!
I’ll be gone for a couple of days…headed off for a short trip to northern Utah to attend a Women’s Conference. I’ll be without my machine, but I’m taking LOTS of hexagons and handwork to keep me busy!!! Hope you get to sew today!
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts says
I would love to get my hands on some of those magazines, not to read, but to look at the pretty pictures. What a great idea for the spiral book, very clever!!
another amy says
I’m going to Women’s Conference too! I’ll watch for the woman with the hexagons! 🙂
Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie says
Sherri, what great mail. Is there a website to order the magazines from Japan? Thanks for sharing about the spiral, would really help to keep the book open.
Have fun at the Conference.
Keep Stitchen’
Bonnie
Sharon says
I love the Japanese books.I could look at mine for days. I’ve taken in books to get them spiral bound too, it’s wonderful. Hunka had me take in one of his bbq cookbooks to do that too. He loved it.
How nice that you got to meet the bloggers.
Stephanie says
I love the Japanese books and magazines. The pictures are worth not being able to read the kanji! Looking forward to seeing dresden plates. A quilt teacher told me once upon a time about having the binding done this way. As yet I haven’t done it and I have some books in desperate need. Perhaps this is the motivation I need. :o)
Sew Many Ways... says
Thanks so much for the dresden plate link. Can’t wait to see yours. I have to add that to my “List”. Have a great trip!
~Karen~
Debbie says
I love Hexagons too! And they are so nice to take in your purse to work on anywhere! Have fun at Women”s Conference!
Terriaw says
That is a good mail week at your house! Those books look like they have fun projects. I have been dyeing to find some time to make something with hexagons, so I might have to look for that fabric with hexagons. Have fun at your conference – sounds like a great way to spend a couple days!
Carrie P. says
You have to tell us where you got those magazines from. I would love to look through them too. The Japanese make some awesome quilts. I have done that with several of my books that have applique patterns in them. It is much easier to trace when the book lies flat. Have a great time at the conference.
Happy Cottage Quilter says
What a great idea about binding the book. I wish I had thought of that years ago.
Darlene says
I’ve gotten in the habit of binding the majority of my quilt books – so much easier to use and enjoy!
I simply must get to Joann’s to look for that dresden plate template.
Have a safe trip – enjoy the Women’s Conference and have a safe trip.
Sinta Renee says
I have always wondered about the beautiful Japanese project books and magazines. Are the projects do-able if you don’t read Japanese?
I agree, the spiral binding is the best way to go if you have projects that you want to work on in a book. I kind of hate to do it to my books but sometimes it’s the best choice. Have a wonderful little vacation!
Dawn says
I didn’t realize how inexpensive it was to spiral bind a book. That’s good news!! I’m still waiting for my books 🙁 Have a great time at WC!!
Julie says
Maybe we’ll see each other in the 20,000+ women there–wouldn’t that be cool? Have a fabulous time. Julie
Lauren says
Japanese?!
That is so funny!
Eileen says
I have a couple of books that I would love o get spiral bound. what a great idea.
I hope you have a marvelous time at your women’s retreat.
Kaaren says
The Dresden Plate template/ruler is awesome. It certainly makes the cutting so much easier.
Love the Japanese fabric. I think I have to get some to add to my ‘Nanette’ stash.
Have fun at the conference. Hope you find the time to stitch and relax.
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
The books are fun. I’d like to spiral bind some of mine. The japanese books are so inspiring. You’ll have fun at Women’s Conference. I wish I was going.
w&v says
V. here…
So much fun to have book inspiration and gifts in the mail. i looked for Cotton Time at B. Dalton, but no luck. I hope you have fun at the women’s Conf. Every year I want to go, but I just got back from a wonderful visit with my Mom in OK. Glad you have hand sewing ready to take. V.
Tina says
Enjoy Women’s Conference! I’m jealous.
julia says
Hi Sherri,
aren't Japanese mags & books wonderful? I have 3 books & I love the step-by-step pictures they have…you really don't need the language {even though I wouldn't mind if they translated some gorgeous books…}
Hmmm…the hexagon fabric is beautiful…I can see that I have to do some hexies myself soon ;o)
Can't wait for your DresdenPlates to show up on your block. I love that design! Please tell us how the template is to work with…I'm thinking of putting it on my wish list ;o)
Have a great weekend,
Julia
madrekarin says
Ah, Cotton Time. Sigh. What is it about Japanese craft books and magazines that pulls us so? They make the simplest thing elegant.
Hope you have fun at the Conference. 🙂
Jennifer says
I love Superbuzzy! I have the same books you showed, but not that hexagon fabric. Hmmm…I guess I’ll have to go to the website and check it out!