Look Closer

scroll down to see pictures from the books I used

The owls, you know them well by now... in general I used the pattern from this book but chose  wool and linen instead of chirimen crepe, which per se creates a thoroughly new species, no matter if feet respectively wings are or are not attached, a beret is worn, a name given and sewn on or not and those google eyes replaced by lovely vintage buttons... Oh not to forget, I put in much more filling which results in a shorter flap / friendlier face.
The book is nice, as I said before, but a bit "thin" (lots of photos, not so many patterns) and given the rather high price I'd say I wouldn't recommend buying it.

The bunny... from this book. Mine is all dressed up and has pointy, much more grown up ears. Chirimen instead of cotton, no accessories. The pattern is from this book. A reasonably priced book, not a fancy one and the projects often look rather boring but I like it. If you already own a few Japanese patchwork or crafting magazines, you won't need this one. Especially not if you just seek to find out how to make that bunny. To construct a bunny shouldn't be too difficult and I could help, too. And the bunny's kimono... that's all fake, I can tell you. The obi (belt) really does the trick, covers all odds and ends, in this case rather odd ends that is. Ends of fabric that wouldn't be there if this was a real wrapped dress the bunny is wearing. The kimono actually  consists of the bunny's body, a wrapped around skirt the sewn on sleeves and a double folded piece of fabric draped around the bunny's neck pretending being the kimono's collar. The size of my bunny is 14 cm.

The bag... from a very unattractive looking book which I cannot find online, a book that contains quite some interesting patterns, very basic and would it been made in the same style as those Machine Made Patchworks books it would be known.
The bag... de-frilled, bright, fresh fabrics, a rigid, angular base instead of the soft, round one - gives the bag a  simpler, more  modern  look. Go and search for a Granny Bag pattern in your patchwork magazines, it's likely you find one. If not, draw a rough sketch of the desired bag's shape, play with curves, pleats and darts. How to create a rectangular base for a bag can be seen in that tutorial on Marianne's applehead (Do you know her 'smallpeople'? I really love them!).

Try coming up with your own pattern, if others hadn't, there weren't as much as there are. I know that really is not new for you. You are all creative, talented people and like to do things your own way. I just want to encourage everybody. And this is what I would like to tell you, hoping I do not sound too arrogant: Try to be convinced you already own that perfect pattern for a bag, softie or whatever you want to create. Assume it is just hidden in not so zakka-like craft books with lots of uninspired photos. Try to see the good in the patterns you have at home, be willing to give them your own twist, play.

I never bought one of the Machine Made Patchwork books (at least not for me) although I like them very much. I just think I have the provided patterns pretty much covered by other books or magazines. Beautiful and very unattractive ones. A few years of crafting in Japan inevitably leads to well laden bookshelves, I admit. But I do avoid buying each and every book that's pretty.

I think I am starting a challenge here. I will get out my most unalluring craft and sewing books and look for projects that really don't seem appealing at all - and try to transform them into something I like.
Does that sound cocky? Hope not.

Have a beautiful day!

Edit: I feel like I have to say a bit more on this topic because I could have giving a wrong impression of my relation to craft/sewing/Zakka books. What I said about avoiding buying books just because they are pretty... that is, as long as I would categorize the concerning book as a 'craft book' with the purpose of providing patterns. But there are also those books that are so beautiful, creative or inspiring that not a single pattern has to be in them to legitimate their existence. In these cases a few stunning photographies are all I need to make me want them. After all I'm only human ;-)   

Comments

[Alicia A.]

I just got my hands on my first ever Japanese craft book. Machine Made Patchwork on Interlibrary loan- so I have to give it back soon. It is lovely, but I know what you're saying. They're very basic patterns, as far as I can tell, it's the styling and the simplicity and the photos that make them so appealing.

Time to hunt through those old patterns with new eyes...

[myra]

Wonderful post Alex, I agree wholeheartedly. Sometimes the many craft books around the house seem to weigh my thought process down instead of inspiring me.

[ruthie]

I couldn't agree more! it's time to change the way we look at patterns and I'm sure we'll come up with beautiful creations! thanks for the challenge!!
xox

[katrin]

you might start this challenge - but be aware that i will force you to send me all those beautiful books! *gg*
i always find it amazing what small changes can do to a pattern that you didn't like from the first look - and then you are astonished of the hidden treasure you have.

[shula]

Hearing you loud and clear.

[Eren]

Loved your post! I have several books that I are currently sitting next to my sewing machine, and I just can't seem to get through them. Their instructions seem just too much work. (wink) I am a lazy sewer.

[amisha]

what an excellent, sensible, and inspiring post. my eyes are definitely drawn to the lovely styling and photography... but i am happy to take up your challenge of searching my (quite heavy) bookshelves for those books which i always pass over because their photos are dull, and try to see the good in their patterns and give them my own touch.

[Anne M.]

I agree. We need to let our craft books be closed and on the shelf, so that the creativity and ideas we have within ourselves can come out. At the same time I believe that it takes courrage to do so, and that type of courrage often comes with experience. I am not sure that I am there yet, but I am sure going to try. Have mercy on me when I do.

[Jenna]

The owl and rabbit are adorable - good luck with your project.

[manda]

I'm with you. I have a number of very unattractive craft books/magazines that inspire me a great deal. I love looking to see what can be updated, or what just needs some fresh fabric.
Great post and not at all arrogant :)

[futuregirl]

Oh, no. That doesn't sound cocky at all. I wish I had such inspiration in the early 90's when I subscribed to every crochet magazine there was. I would look at the uninspiring pictures and put them away ... I wish I had started transforming them back then. I had so much more free time then. :)

[Josie]

I am so excited to se what you come up with. I am sure it will be something amazing.

[Jennifer]

I agree with you very much! Just this morning, I found an uninspiring photo of a...granny bag, in a book about sewing skirts. The only photo of it is blurred horribly, and the directions are practically nonexistant. I hear a Granny Bag Challenge coming. Stay tuned.

[joyce]

you don't know how many books i have just because of the pictures...

[Elizabeth Pickup]

Mmmmm, you are right. I often buy books for the pictures but make nothing from them. Then the basic books you can add or subtract from and make your own. I am still seduced by the pictures though....

[Kim Covell]

I love your blog and creations. I have added you to my favorites!

[nicole]

I really loved this post. And I'm down for a fabric swap anytime. I'll get back to you soon with that kimono-email, too. Happy Thursday!

[Zelia]

Ah! you always have such nice things here:) in your blog!
Thank you!

[Rebekka Kinimond]

Hi Alex

I saw you'd left a not eon my blog because I linked to you so I thought I'd mention that the blog in querstion is part of a project called 23 Things. It was started by an American librarian and we've know joined up at the public library I work at in Denmark.

It's all about letting people get a chance to play with some of the new and less-new technologies on the web. I'm one of the project's sponsors but I thought that I'd link to stuff that wasn't related to the tecchie side of it at all - and your blog just naturally sprang to mind. I find it incredibly inspiring :)

[Kristen]

I'm in love with that owl, youv'e done a beautiful job of it.

[charlotte]

to be honest, I like your owls and the kimono-bunny more than the originals in that book. it's not only the chosen fabric... can't explain. can s.o. help me?

[dorie]

These are such beautiful things you've made. It takes a special way of looking at things to see lines and not patterns, no?

[shabbyjuls]

That is a DARLING bag from that book!!!!!