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!