Fabric Shopping Spree - Tokyo and Taipei

Hello readers!  Happy New Year!  I haven't been very active here, have I?  Life has just been so busy, but that's not a good enough excuse.  I got a very nice note from a reader the other day, and she inspired me to write again -- thank you, Silvia!

I have been wanting to share with you the amazing trip my husband and my toddler went on October of 2015.  We went to Japan!  We actually did!  That was a dream come to true.  The entire trip was all about fabric.  I know, my husband is pretty awesome. 

Below is a list of fabric related places that we visited:

Yoko's Quilt Party Store: Yes, I had a private lesson with Yoko Saito!  I couldn't believe it either.  Her store was gorgeous, Yoko was so nice and patient, and they had a translator there the entire time to assist me.  

Yoko Saito's Store. 

My husband did all the navigating and searching.  

I knew we were at the right place when I saw this sign. 

Dream come true!  But don't ask me what I learned; I may need to refresh my memory :)

I was able to purchase several kits to make these projects.  

They even had instructions in English available.

Nippori Fabric Town

I have heard amazing things about visiting Nippori and the very famous Tomato.  We took the JR line and arrived about 45 minutes later.  The entire area was very quiet and my fear came true.  Most shops, including Tomato, were closed for some sort of holiday.  I was disappointed, but my husband simply looked at me and said "Well, guess we will have to come back again tomorrow!"  So we did, and I am so glad we did.  

 There isn't many sit-down restaurants at Nippori, so I suggest you grab lunch from the train station when you arrive. 

 I seriously can live off of this.  So delicious.

 Desserts.

 

Best rice ball with red bean pasta. 

Just follow the signs. 

This was the first store we visited.  It carried so many Libery prints in small cuts.  I was in heaven.

 Most shops have even the tiniest scrap packaged so well. 

 Streets of Nippori. 

This is one of the Tomato store.  It had so many double gauze.  I purchased several kinds to make dresses for my daughter. 

Yuzawaya located on the 11th floor of Takashimaya department, which was just across from our hotel.  I can't tell you how many times I "stopped by" this store.  This particular store carried everything.

 The bottom row is by a famous Japanese designer.  I bought the entire collection. 

 These were my selections 30 minutes later...

They had yarn too!  I was way too distracted by all the fabric, a very bored husband, and a crying toddler that I couldn't focus on yarn!  

We also visited several other fabric stores, bookstores, and Mt. Fuji.  

 Yes... another fabric shop.  Okadaya.  They carry lots of Libery fabric. 

 Entire wall of Liberty fabric at Okadaya. 

 A small fabric shop near Lake Kwaguchiko, which had a small Indigo room. 

Mt. Fuji!  It was our lucky day :)

Prior to Japan, we also stopped by Taiwan.  While we were there, we also stopped by a few fabric places.  Com'on~!  Are you surprised!? 

I really enjoyed fabric shopping in Taiwan as well.  It really helped that I read this book in advance of the trip.  It suggested stores to shop at and that really make the experience more pleasant.  Many Japanese prints were more affordable in Taiwan than Japan. 

Special thanks to my darling husband for his love and patience for me to have this dream vacation.  It meant the world to me.  XOXO

Summer Tunic Dress

My good friends and I went on a "field trip" about two weeks ago to "A Verb for Keeping Warm" in Oakland.  I seriously fell in love with that store as it's unlike any other stores I have been to.  They had sample garments on display in every size so you can try it out before purchasing the pattern and know exactly what size you need to make.  I went home with the "Summer Tunic Dress" pattern and some amazingly beautiful fabrics.

The Summer Tunic Dress was a bit harder than I expected.  It took me awhile to "fake" serge around all the seams.  I love the dress and the pattern, but some photos/diagrams would have helped.  I highly recommend this pattern and know that you love the finish project!

I added three inches to the pattern so that the dress is a bit longer.

 Beautiful V-neck and gatherings around the shoulders.

It even has two pockets!  They were so simple to make.  Love having pockets with my dress. 

I think I will be making a few more!

Busy Sewing

I have been busy sewing children's clothing these days!  I go through phases where I am either super into knitting or sewing, and I have shifted into sewing.  This is quite exciting as I get to work with my new sewing machine

Here are some cute pants I made for my toddler and her friends at school.  You can add elastic to the hem of the leg pieces to turn them into baby bloomers, but I thought it's cuter this way.

 Cray Commute fabric from Japan.

 Happy Birthday hats for a special kid who has a birthday coming up. 

 I added these to the back of the pants so I know which is which!

There are more shorts in the hamper waiting to be washed.  These are the most perfect short to sew for little toddlers!

Cameo

I have made a few shawls in the past, but dont really love any of them.  They were either too small or not the right shape for me.  I came across the Cameo shawl at Miss Babs' booth this year at Stitches West.  I glanced at the Cameo on display and fell in love with it.  I bought two skeins of Miss Babs 2-ply yummy and the pattern.  Within a few weeks I finished the shawl.  I know understand why the Miss Babs' booth was packed with shoppers.  The yarn is so bouncy and the colors are gorgeous.  I have worn this shawl a few times and everyone comments about how beautiful the colors are.  The pattern itself is so simple yet addicting!  I finished the project within a blink of an eye!  Now I just want to make more shawls! 

 Did I mention that the yarn is bouncy and drappy!?

The shawl is just the right size for me.

Perfect Men's Socks

I finally made a pair of men's socks!  I just have the worse luck with men's sock, but then I discovered the great Basic Ribbed Socks by Kate Atherley!  This is a simple but fun pattern to knit.  The socks came out beautiful and super stretchy, which is perfect for large feet.

I had just enough yarn to make a pair; I was getting very worried.  Thankfully I had just enough because I don't know what I would have done!  I used Fortissma Socka yarn, and it was perfect!

Did I tell you that I am addicted to sock knitting?  Yea, I wasn't joking!