Kake-Jiku: Images of Japan in Applique, Fabric Origami, and Sashiko

A dazzling collection of 14 Kake-jiku—the traditional Japanese hand-painted scrolls often hung in entryways—is featured in this craft guide. Often created to celebrate the changing seasons and bestow good fortune on a household, these innovative Kake-jiku designs featured are made with contemporary fabrics. Each image is a picture-window into Japanese culture, and the accompanying text explains the symbolism of each design. All patterns can be constructed using a unique style of Japanese appliqu, and several are embellished with fabric-origami flowers. Several of the patterns included are enhanced by beautiful and intricate sashiko stitching, and a section on technique describes appliqu and stitching methods and provides instructions for making all-in-one wraparound borders. Glorious photography, step-by-step color drawings, and six watercolor drawings enhance this art-inspired craft book, and a bound-in template pack—complete with full-size templates made from durable, reinforced paper—allows for multiple uses of individual template pieces.