come home. this japanese magazine is so lovely. lovely. now that i am back in japan for a month holiday i bought the latest copy. and fell in love with the magazine all over again. it's full of great home decorating inspiration. and good ideas for decorating your crafty nooks. there's quite a building furniture projects. some wooden ones. and some made out of pipes. very clever. i'm anxious for h-kun to give these a go.in this issue comes with a really nice notebook designed by orne de feuilles. there is also a couple of pages about nippori textile town in tokyo with a cute little map. and there is a section on how to remake a men:s white dress shirt. with a few great ideas.

if you are interested in seeing more photos or purchasing this magazine, please click here.

Just our thing

Jennifer over at Moving Hands has just posted about a book she picked up at her local library in Tokyo.



The book is a guide to all the crafty stores to be found around Tokyo. What a lovely idea. It looks like it's all in Japanese, which might not help most of us, but the pictures look enticing nonetheless.

Now I'd love a local library where Japanese craft books were available in abundance to borrow.

Japanese craft shopping in Bangkok

I was recently in Bangkok and stumbled across several stores selling Japanese goodies. I thought I would share my sources, if you find yourself in that neck of the woods.

Bangkok has two Kinokuniya book stores. But only the branch inside the Isetan department store sells Japanese craft books and Magazines. This has taken me two trips to find this out. So don't bother checking out the branch in the Siam paragon unless your after english titles. The prices are higher than the Yen jacket prices . But still quite reasonable and nothing beats flicking through these gorgeous books in person. 

Kinokuniya (Inside Isetan)

2nd floor, Central world plaza

Bangkok (nearest BTS - chidlom)

Another great shop is Loft. This japanese store can be found in many cities across the globe. Lots of cute stationary and kawaii items. You will also find Blythe dolls and holga cameras here. 

Loft

3rd floor, Siam Discovery Center

Bangkok (nearest BTS - Siam)

Muji

You will find a Muji concept store within the Zen department store. Beautiful clothes and homewares with a simple, natural aesthetic. 

Muji

Inside the Zen department store, Central world plaza 

Bangkok (closest BTS chidlom)

Only the linen in the image below is Japanese. But the cottons which are manufactured in Thailand are lovely too. You will find a good selection of fabrics at the Fabric house. I stumbled onto this store when exiting Kinokuniya. The prices are extremely reasonable and the quality is superb. Cottons 85baht a metre and linen ranges from 375-295baht a metre.

The fabric house

2nd floor, Central world plaza

Bangkok (nearest BTS chidlom)

i will be closing down my little shop of japanese goodness. next tuesday. because i am leaving japan. moving back to canada. with my japanese fella. i will miss country. and culture. immensely. if you are interested in a bit of japanese culture ... wander over to my blog: http://goodness.typepad.com . i have been posting about things i love and will miss from japan. from a to z.  

Kobe Shops

i was in kobe on the weekend. just for a few hours. but i made the most of it. i got out that book from the last post. and found some shops to visit. my favorites being a pair of sister shops. they are both small. full of charcter. and styled just perfectly. just what i like.

the first is called rollo stock. and is the kind of shop i would love to own. they have a good mix of imported (and some japanese) fabric, trim and buttons. oh, i am in love. everything is just perfect. it was hard to stop spending my money.

here is the tape section. mostly imported from europe. oh, i am in love with all of it.

the second shop is around the corner. and was opened after the first shop got too busy. this shop is called rollo. and this shop has mostly antique buttons and beads. my gosh.

h-kun and i had a wonderful time looking at all the little treasures. in this busy little shop. and i found a few to bring home. well, a few more than a few. i hope to get back there again someday.

if you ever get down to kobe. make sure you stop by these shops. you will not be disappointed. to get there take the JR train to the motomachi station. you can find a map of how to get there on their website.

http://www.tit-rollo.com/

come home magazines are one of the best things at the book shops over here in japan. they're full of so much inspiration. and the design is so natural. so simple. and so inviting. well, they put out a shop and cafe guide book for japan. and there are so many great finds in there. hidden gems.

the first half of the book is focused on tokyo. full of pictures. and maps. since most visitors to japan spend a bit of time in tokyo ... i scanned some of those pages and put them on flickr. see the flickr button to the right. everything is in japanese. but if you see something you like then just ask the hotel staff. or your friends over here. and they can point you in the right direction. i hope. there are also some shops in kyoto, kobe, fukuoka, and the tokai area. if you'd like your own copy of the book, just let me know. i can hook you up. quite easily.

and this is the come home magazine. that inspired the shop and cafe book.

these magazines are lovely. lovely. full of so many ideas for your home. for your clothing style. mixed with a bit of crafting. and cooking. i love them. and so do many others.

*** since some of you are interested in getting come home magazines. and others might be. here is my email address. alittlegoodness@gmail.com . if you email me then i will get back to you with prices and such. **

100 yen stores

I had read about 100 yen stores on a few people's blogs, so when I came out of the subway and saw one just up the road I went exploring. (Look for the red logo - you'll come across them here and there.) The store was great. It sold very basic items from potato peelers to stationery, and everything in between.

I couldn't resist quite a few stackable plastic containers - the perfect size for storing threads and other sewing bits and pieces in my studio.

They weren't the most practical thing to bring home in a suitcase, but they made it safely - stashed with this colourful Japanese candy that is simply too pretty to eat.

I also found my way to Daiso - possibly the mother of all 100 yen stores - on Takeshita Dori in Harajuku. See Marceline's blog for excellent directions and details. It was very busy when I was there and I was already laden down with a few shopping bags; so I found it hard to make my way around the store. I did pick up some cute coloured paper packs, which I plan to use making some things out of a Japanese craft book I picked up on paper cutting.

Okadaya

Last time I was in Tokyo I struggled to find Okadaya, despite good directions (this seemed to be a pattern with me). This time I was determined to find it, after reading good things about it.

I took a photo of the well signed store (how could I have missed it) so anyone else trying to locate it knows what to spot. This red sign is what to look for when you come out of the East Exit of Shinjuku station.

Okadaya is in two buildings - each of about 6 levels. One building contains fabric of all descriptions, the other contains all the extra bits you need to sew, knit, bead, and craft your little heart out with.

My favourite floor was the craft book floor (right at the top). I think it had the best craft book selection I'd seen anywhere, with multiple copies of each book. Sadly, there was a "no photos" sign up so I can't show you the proof.

For the knitters there was also a whole yarn floor.

Dressmaking patterns

Has anyone seen these patterns? I spied these at a few shops in Nippori's fabric street, including Tomato. The images and styling were very cute. The patterns were for fairly basic children's garments so would be ideal for beginners.

If anyone knows whether you can buy them online, please drop us a line at Japan Craft Journal? It would be a great resource to share. I think I recognised one of the images from a craft book. Maybe they are related.

Update: An anonymous blog reader has very kindly left a link to the site for these patterns. Thank you, whoever you are!

Tomato

Yes, Tomato is that good. Thank you to all the bloggers who talked about this store. It proved well worth the visit. I've never seen so many women buying fabric. Home dressmaking is alive and well in Japan.



Nippori is easy too get to - just take the JR Yamanote line. This map is just outside the East exit of the station (head for the North exit first, then signs to the East exit will appear). If you click on this map you can see it in more detail.



Whether you are a dressmaker, a crafter or a quilter, you are bound to be happy with the selection on offer. My favourite floor was the 4th floor. The 5th floor was also interesting with great bag handles, braids and the like.

There was oodles of linen in all weights and colours. The 100 yen rack near the front door was very popular. It was a complete crush around that area and it was hard to get a close look at the fabric for all the women standing in front of it.

Six floors of craft

Yesterday I sought out Yuzawaya, after reading Suzy's post on her blog Floating World Views. Yuzawaya is about 6 floors of craft supplies. It has some wonderful Japanese stationery on one of the floors, oodles of fabric, and everything else in between. I could have spent hours marvelling over the cupcake baking equipment but I had a twitchy husband with me (who hates craft stores).

The quilting fabric collection was very extensive, with all the Japanese lines I recognise from home. Their fat quarters were rather impressively displayed in little, orderly drawers.

See Suzy's very concise directions on how to find it. I didn't take them with me so wasted much time looking for a shop that was only labelled in Japanese characters. This is a great one stop shop for any crafting supplies you might need.

Pocket guide

Tentative discussions about a quick trip to Tokyo before the end of the year have arisen in our house.



If I get there, I'll be sure to pack Marceline's little A6 guide to all the cute shops she found her way to in Tokyo. Her guide covers craft, fabric and sewing supplies, stationery, print Gocco, kawaii, toys and homewares. Directions are included, as well as some images. Marceline details what she found in each store and her overall impressions of each store - helpful information indeed.

You can pick up a copy of Marceline's guide at her web shop.

(Above image from this book - one of my faves.)

this is a great book. a great basic bag  book. with bags of various shapes and sizes. there are 34 projects. 34 great projects. 

i've been wanting to make this tote bag. forever. and i finally had a chance. thanks to my friend's birthday. i don't usually follow patterns. but decided to this time. and i am so glad i did. the bag turned out super cute. i even made the bias tape. crazy. i know. 

the pattern was easy to follow. and the diagrams with numbered steps was so helpful. since i don't read japanese. this was super helpful. it helps to have a bit of sewing experience though. for sure. 

this bag is next on my list. a super cute eco bag. i need to find some more free time. or wait until another friend's birthday though. dang it. 

you can find this bag. over in my little shop. if you are interested. 

isbn 978-4-415-10656-4

sashiko - part 2

This book takes a more contemporary approach to sashiko, applying it to zakka items (projects for the home). Again published by Ondori ISBN 4-277-34107-1

This is a great little book and really demonstrates how a line of running stitch can enhance the most simple of projects.

It contains a picture heavy 'how to' as well as clear instruction and patterns for the numerous projects.

But what really sold be on this one was the inspiration it provides for embellishing ready made items. Like a couple of lines of running stitch on a knee of a pair of kids jeans or a simple flower in the corner of a tea towel.

It's amazing how a outline of running stitch can add texture and pull a project from being pretty ordinary to something extraordinary.

Stylish Dress Book

With the weather turning warmer here in Australia all I can think of is cute summer dresses so I pulled out my favourite Japanese womenswear book purchased recently.....its called Stylish Dress Book (ISBN 978-4-57911185-5).


Its full of cute tunic tops and dresses all photographed beautifully and brought to you by the same people of girly style wardrobe


designs range from simple tunics to wear with jeans or leggings to the fancy tunic dress


pattern sheets are included at the back of the book and come in sizes 7, 9, 11 and 13 with all patterns designed for a height of 160cm which suits my 157cm stature perfectly. The size 13 has a bust measurement of 93cm, waist 74cm, hips 98cm to give you an idea of measurements which I think is about an australian size 10 but please correct me if I'm wrong as I'm just going by what I wear and measure (i.e. currently larger than this but normally a 10). But these aren't figure hugging designs and I'll be adding a few cms here and there and come back to you with the results.

zakka sewing

At last a craft book on Japanese zakka with english instructions!
All 25 projects have been designed and made by well known Japanese zakka crafters living in Japan.

The book was styled by Yuki Matsuo and photographed by Yoko Inoue both Japanese living in New york. They have done a beautiful job, the book is visually stunning!

Each of the charming projects are accompanied by plenty of photos as well as step by step instructions. I particularly love the inclusion of the zakka fact, which offers an insight into Japanese culture and inspiration behind each of the projects.

There is also a great 'how to' in the front of the book which makes this book perfect for the beginner crafter. With tips on transferring patterns, basic sewing techinques and embroidery stitches.

You will also find each of the crafters credited along side their project as well as information on their websites. There you'll find more eye candy and a whole new world of blogs to discover.


Most of the projects use natural fibres like linen, wool and wool felt. If you have difficulty sourcing the supplies you need, you will find an extensive list of online stockists in the back of the book. As well as where to shop zakka in Japan.

I got my copy from the book depository but it's also available over at Amazon. For more photos of the projects and free instructions for the squirrel tea cozy. Check out the books website at zakka home.

Some of the designers

Sayaka Suzuki

Kui Hazuki

Massimo

kabott

sashiko - part 1

Sashiko embroidery is essentially a running stitch with a proportion of 3:2 with the largest stitch showing on the right side. Over the next few posts I will be sharing some of my books on the subject showcasing both traditional and contemporary patterns.

This particular book is published by Ondori ISBN 978-277-31159-5

It has quite a clear 'how to' showing you both technique, the materials you will need and how to trace the patterns onto your cloth.

There are full page patterns of the more traditional patterns ready for you to trace.

As well as instructions for projects that you can make using your embroidered cloth, such as coasters, napkins and book covers.

Tote bags and sweet clutch purses.

As well as Zipper box shaped pouches and drawstring bags.