Ooooh, this was fun!

After a pleasant train jouney with my good friend and neighbor we arrived in Stokke. The view from our patio on Friday at Brunstad Conferanse Center, in Vestfold, Norway, between Stokke and Tønsberg. Our appartment overlooked some of the row house apartments of the complex.

We had a little time to settle in before heading up to our much anticipated class with the incredible Yoko Saito. Upon our arrival we found a delightful pack at each spot filled with gorgeous taupe fabrics, a photo of our project and the pattern. Most of us ripped into these goodies immediately and with much delight explored the many fabrics.

Here is Yoko Saito explaining that the three hour course is far too little time to start and complete the bag. That much I had gathered immediately upon seeing the photo of our project, and think it will likely take me weeks.

There were about 20 of us eager to learn any little quilting finesse we could. We took turns gathering around to soak up her knowledge. You can see how we squeezed in around her table, hovering over her, watching those lightening quick fingers as they demonstrated.

While the other half of the class was engrossed over Yokos magical hands, we were put to task: cut uneven strips of fabric from our lovely new stash. The pretty wooden tool was a gift from Yoko. It is a very handy Alex Andersen 4 in 1 tool. The facing end that you see in the photo is what you use to press the fabric instead of using an iron and board.

This is my first wonky log cabin block. We each made two during class, while the remainder of the time we were watching Yoko and learning. I don't think Yoko was impressed with our speed at hand sewing. After we had been stitching for a very short time she seemed to wonder if we were finished and then asked if we mostly used the sewing machine. That did seem to be the case for most everyone.

We learned we would only need 25 blocks to make the bag. When we are done with them we are to use turned edge appliqué to sew the blocks together in a haphazard fashion slightly larger then the pattern.

To arrange the blocks she told us to pin them in place onto the paper initially, when they are in the desired position we are then to pin the blocks to eacheother removing the pins from the paper.

She showed us what to wear on our fingers to protect our fingers and make it easier to push the needle through the layers.

The metal gear on her left thumb is a thread cutter. That really must make it quicker than locating the pair of scissors to cut the thread. I think I might get one of these. I must say the speed of her tiny perfect stiches was quite phenomenal.

I think this will take some practice.

 

Yoko and her assistant also went around the room checking to see what needle size we were using. I didn't have the correct size at all, mine were far too big! She suggests size 12 for sewing the fabrics together. This is a petit needle with a very small eye. If you look on the table you can just see her orange plastic needle threader. This might also be a good investment. I am sure that in another decade or two I will be thinking these clip on magnifying glasses will be just the thing too.

Yoko must have the worlds most extensive collection of quilted items. This seemed to be her sewing bag.

Here Yoko illustrates how we to baste the bag before quilting. I am now thinking this will take months not weeks.

Here we learn how to put the parts of the bag together. Meanwhile the translator is having trouble remembering that she is supposed to speak Norwgian to us, not Japanese. It is comical and we all get a bit confused.

The straps you slide inside here like this. I adore the lining fabric she used with the leaves and berries.

I thought you might enjoy a few close ups of Yoko's bag.

The handles are so pretty with the cotton trim.

I really hope I remember all that I learned.

When I arrived home my family met me half way, dear husband helped me with my luggage. I don't think I have ever seen my daughter any happier. She was like a little puppy, bouncing around me and nearly knocking me over with all her hugs and kisses. It was nice to be missed. There is way more to tell, but I will have to wait for another day. For now here is the progress on tmy bag:

12 squares are done, 1 more nearly completed, leaving me with 12 left to go.

I hope you too have had a most satisfying weekend? 
 

 

Comments

[Anne Kathrine]

Hei Emily. takk for sist og for to utrolig fine dager. Du er ferdig med 12 allerede ? WOW !Så fine bilder fra helgen. Nydelig blogg. det var morsomt å lese.Har funnet trådkutter på ebay forresten . Vi snakkes:-)

[Mildawg]

That looks great! I love the bag.

[Fiona]

Phew. What an inspiring course. I look forward to seeing your finished bag.

[Di]

It looks like fin but also a lot of work! I too had a fun, work filled weekend clearing footpaths! However, I also wanted to post that i once went to a conference held at Brunstad - funny place.....I stayed in a little house...someone's little house.....which was a little weird, but the conference venue (for up to 5000) people is pretty impressive.

I am glad that you were missed! It's always a nice feeling!

[Silvia]

What a great class!! you're very lucky!!! The bag is so nice, and the fabrics are wonderful!

[chicago sarah]

Thank you for sharing- those handles are really cool. I'm thinking you'll have an amazing bag in a few days, you've got sewing talent overflowing. Those handstitches are amazing, though!

[Lisa]

Looks like a most inspiring class!! I can't wait to see your progress pictures. The bag is going to be a work of art.

[Heather]

That is going to be a beautiful bag. I'm not a quilter so doing any kind of hand-sewing that extensive is so impressive to me.

[Marit]

Thank you for sharing, Emily! I am sure you had a good time. Your bag is going to be beautiful - the fabric is amazing!

[Gina]

I'm not a quilter but that looks like it's going to be a lovely bag. I was also intrigued by Yoko's jacket!

[britt]

wow. that looks great!

[Julie]

What a fun class!

[Annepålandet]

For en flott bag! Men jeg skjønner at det vil ta tid å lage den... Jeg har vært på mange sykurs. Ikke alt blir ferdig etterpå, men uansett har man jo lært masse og fått nye impulser!

[Alexandra408]

What an incredible opportunity to take Ms Saito's class! Where can one find out about her teaching schedule?

[rhea]

Oh my gosh, that looks like it was such a great class!

Thanks for sharing with us: I feel like I was there and I love, love, love that bag.

Have fun working on it... sometimes the process of making something is so much fun that you are almost sad when it is done.

Kind of like when you finish a really good book!

XO,

Rhea

[Tina]

amazing. your bag looks wonderful.

[Lia]

wow how lucky are u being able to be in the class :)

[Una]

YESS!!:) What a lovely post, Emily. You got some great shots of the whole process. I will have to link to this, when I get time to write a post:) You have been busy! I've only made three blocks so far;) xo

[Baukje]

Wow, that looks great. What an amazing woman. .......

[Anne Marie]

Det høres ut som du har hatt en flott helg. Det hadde vært kjempegøy å være med på noe slikt en gang. Og så mange fine bilder du har tatt fra kurset!

Er det en spesiell grunn til at lappene skal være håndsydd og ikke maskinsydd(idelogi/filosofi)eller har det noe med utseendet, eller "texture" å gjøre?

[mereteveian]

oi, du fikk plass, så flott!
Neste årsmøtehelg (i Tromsø) får vi passe på å treffes og ikke bare "gå forbi" hverandre i gangen. Det er jo så artig med bloggtreff ;-)

[Jan]

Oh, how interesting to get a peek into a Yoko Saito workshop! I have seen her several times at the Tokyo Quilt Festival and she is so popular there that is is nearly impossible to even shop at her booth because of the crowds. Thanks for sharing your experience...I learned a few things!

[May Britt]

Thanks for showing all these photos. Been a good help for me now while doing this bag. I have a question. I did not follow the whole workshop and missed when she started quilting. Did she use front, batting and the backside when she started quilting. A friend of mine says no, she just quilted through front and batting.

[Lynne]

Just Love your Bag
Thankyou so much for the photos.
Just Love your Blog too :-0
Have a great Day
Cheers
Lynne

[Deborah]

Beautiful blog. I was at the Houston Quilt Show and saw her work up close . It is truly masterful and beautiful and inspiring. What I would give to take a class with her!!