Everybody loves these bags

I've been asked multiple times for info on where I got my rice bag pattern and kits and so I'm documenting it here so I can give people a link or copy and paste the info... I've made two now and have pieced together the pieces for the next two.

Komebukuro are bags traditionally used to take offerings (usually rice) to temples on festivals; they're often pieced together and decorated with embroidery. 

I saw a pattern and kits for them at Sew Creative in Ashland, Oregon; it's a lovely little quilt store on the main street.  My friend P. and I both bought the pattern and kits for the bags. 

The link to the kits is here https://www.sewcreativeashland.com/collections/rice-bag-kits

The rice bag kit claims to come with enough fabric for three bags, and enough twill tape to for the ties on one bag. I found that it was easy to get four bags out of it, but I used denim for the bottoms of two of them; I pieced the bottoms for the other two out of offcuts. I think you could get might be able to get pieced bases for all 4 bags? But cut the pieces for the sides first.  (It's also possible if I cut thoughtfully and used denim for all the bottoms, I could have gotten 5 bags). You can order more twill tape at a reasonable price from Sew Creative or sew straps from cotton fabric.

They also sell a Creative Kit which has fun ribbon, some fun accent fabrics, buttons, etc... I found that one was good for 2 bags. If you have a deep fabric and notions stash you can probably skip this.

The pattern calls for sashiko thread (I have none) but says embroidery floss is a good substitute (I have lots) so I used embroidery floss and had a lot of fun with it.

You also need iron on fleece and some interfacing; 5 9x9 blocks of each. The pattern class for specific brands/weights but I don't know if it matters much. The lining seems tooo heavy with interfacing but too light without.

I used quilting cotton for the lining and added a zipper pocket on the inside; I might put a slip pocket in the next two bags.

There are a bunch of patterns on the internet and on Youtube (google komebukuro or japanese rice bag), so it's possible you don't need to order the kit from Sew Creative; I didn't look at any so can't offer a recommendation. I do like the weight of the fabric in their fabric kit; it's heftier than quilting cotton and it makes the bag look more substantial.

Everybody loves these bags!

Mid January

It's mid Feb and I've mostly been doing other things... but on the art and fiber front:

Working away at knitting a blue cashmere sweater.

Nearly done getting the loom set up to weave the carrot towels...

Made all the blocks for two more rice bags and need to start embellishing them. I ordered (and received) another embellishments kit with cute fabrics, fun ribbons, etc... 

I printed 12 postcards with snowflakes in an ombre blue. Artistically, I'm somewhat offended that I associate winter with snowflakes, having always lived in an area that has no snow. Anyways, I am very pleased with the outcome, and I feel like I got the Ombre right, but here are some issues:

• The lino I cut was slightly smaller than the post card so a bit didn't print. I ended up using the paper cutter to make the cards a little smaller.
• I wasn't sure how to handle the flake coming in from the left and I think it looks a little awkward.
• The proofs (like the photo below) came out pretty well but printing on the watercolor postcards was a little trickier. My prints aren't coming out clean and looking at common guidance on Reddit, I think the issue is lack of pressure; so the thickness of the paper is inhibiting proper printing pressure? I'm looking at presses. I may try wetting the paper first. 
• To fix the inking issues above, I ended up covering a bit with a brush. It was tedious and unsatisfying.
• I did overink the plate and one point and that's hard to undo. I had to scrub the lino with water and soap and start over.

I'm tagging the cards with this and sending to friends/family; the first run is 12 but I think I'll aim for 20 for a February card. If you're reading this and want to get a periodic postcard, PM me your mailing address.

Inspired by my sister’s awesome Christmas cards from long ago, I took some classes in linoleum block printing and have been sporadically playing with it ever since. For 2025, I want to improve my artistic and technical skills by making 6-12 prints, each featuring a technique I’d like to learn or practice!!

What’s the fun in making a couple of prints and putting them in a drawer? Instead I’d like to print postcards and send them to my friends. What should you do with them? Keep them as long as they spark joy, then joyfully put them in your recycling bin. If you’d like to offer artistic critique, it would be very welcome!!

For this inaugural card, I’ve worked on more precise carving, gradient ink, and better printing techniques.

"Artist's Proof" for January