Japanese Rice Bag with Jane Mullenix | November 9 and 16th 12-2

November 9 and 16th | 12-2

We're happy to have local maker Jane Mullinex hosting this class at Cottonwood.  She has taught this class to many people, and the results are always stunning! This is a great project for both beginners and advanced sewists, as you can make this as intricate or as simple as you'd like. 

This project is a modern take on the Japanese Komebukuro, a traditional pouch used in Japan to carry rice offerings to the temple during religious ceremonies, or to hold gifts destined for a close friend or relative. Komebukuro bags were traditionally made with indigo cotton fabric hand stitched, sewn in a patchwork style and closed with a cotton drawstring cord. Yours can be as simple or complex as you’d like, and it is fully reversible! It is the perfect size to carry around a hand sewing project or use as a lunch tote!

There are NO TEMPLATES to make this bag. All pieces can be cut using a rotary cutter or scissors. One-quarter inch (¼”) seam allowance will be used for the bag seams.  Fabric requirements are based on 44” wide fabric.  The measurements given below are for a bag up to 8.”

The prep work needs to be done at home before the first class . 

During the first class, we will be hand-stitching (embellishing) the exterior squares with stitches, buttons, hexies, selvages, ribbon and anything you think of.  Feel free to bring things to share with classmates.  Something that might not fit in any project that you have laying around, could be perfect for someone's else projects!

The embellishing can be done by sewing machine or by hand. Bring either or both to class.

Recommended fabrics: medium weight linen or linen blend, quilting cotton or lightweight canvas.  Cottonwood has lots of great options to choose from, including Japanese fabrics.

Prep work prior to the first class:

• You will need approximately ¼ yd exterior feature fabric OR various scraps/remnants to make squares in the desired size of your bag (4” – 8” square).  Your squares can consist of all the same fabric, or a mix of different fabrics.  You will prep the 4 sides and 1 bottom (for a total of 5 EQUAL squares in your desired bag size (between 4” – 8”). 
• ¼ yd batting (5 squares of batting cut ½ “ smaller than your exterior bag squares).
• ¼ yd Lining fabric or 5 squares (in any size 4”- 8” that matches your outside size).
• ¼ yd fusible woven interfacing; Pellon SF101, midweight interfacing, or other bag interfacing to make bag sturdier if you would like the bag to sit upright when open.
• (2)  2 ½” x 42” strips of coordinating fabric for the tabs that hold the drawstring cord (these will be cut into 4” – 5” sections) for 4 – 8 tabs depending on how big your bag is.
• (2)   30” –  44” strips of coordination fabric, twill tape, ribbon, or cording to make 2 drawstrings
• Various additional fabrics for appliqué embellishments (hexies, yoyos, selvages), an inside pocket, and fabric ends for cording.

Additional supplies and tools:

1/4” marking tool, scissors, sewing thread, 6 strand embroidery floss in assorted colors, pearl cotton thread, ribbons, buttons, beads, embroidery needles (sashiko or crewel with large eye), pins, kantha, rotary cutter and mat, acrylic quilting ruler, iron, sewing machine clips, large safety pin, chopstick or turning stick.  There will also be items that we will share for the embellishment portion of the class. 

The second class will be dedicated to assembling your bag.  A sewing machine is not required, but is recommend.