Patchwork kin-cha-ku

{kin-cha-ku} is pronounces in Japanese. It means traditional Japanese purses or handbags. Likely a small bag, typically with a drawstring. When I first search out a special name for {drawstring bag}, there were lots great myths and movements for the handbags and history of making purses. I discovered the usage of {kin-cha-ku} is so much closer to what I grew up with. 

For six years in elementary school, my siblings and I brought our own lunch to school. The lunch is prepared in the {metal lunch box} and wrapped with a big piece of cloth and tied with a metal plate engraved our name that dad made.  Ma always fixed extra rice for dinner and prepared extra veggies and meat for the dinner because part of that is for to our next day lunch. She filled the lunch box with rice on the bottom then veggies on one side then meat on the other side and sometimes special sausage that uncle made for us. The lunch boxes always sat on the dinning table till cool off in late night then mom add the lids up and store them in fridge.  The next morning, likely before 6 a.m. mom would be in kitchen getting fried eggs for each lunch box to complete the lunch meal for us.  

There is always some fruit in the separated sack and water bottle as well. Each of us has a {kin-cha-ku} to put our lunch box in. Our {kin-cha-ku} were made from old cloth that my aunt made up for us.    There's just one layer of cloth with open seams inside. 

When we arrived classroom, we put our lunch box into a large metal basket then the daily helpers in the classroom will bring the metal basket to school kitchen and they will get steam after the first period of class.  The {kin-cha-ku} likely hung by the chair till lunch time.  I remember, I always made little complains on how un-pretty my {kin-cha-ku} looks and wished that aunt could make some pretty ones for me.  Then it might be the year I turned 10 or 11, mom got me a store bought {kin-cha-ku} with all the pretty prints on {actually it was a Hello Kitty}, and it was made with poly material. I was so happy with the cute and pretty of it for the few days, but it didn't hold up too long before the bottom seam loose up. 

A few years back, when I first making the kin-cha-ku, I sewn the same style of kin-cha-ku from the memory; it wasn't lined with any batting to start with, so it is quiet lightweight. Then I tried on hand-quilting them on the batting and was so satisfied with such nice outcome {soft, nice hold up look, elegant of it}. I made few more samples and adjustments after that. There are so many possibilities for one pattern and turn into so many different patchwork possibilities...  

Here are seven new {kin-cha-ku} for today's preview and each one of them is possible the most unique kin-cha-ku! Enjoy 

{Daffodils Joy} 

It is possible the best daffodil yellows that I could find and have been collected! This is such a sweet and special kin-cha-ku to my heart. The contrast of text prints and the similar hues give a such nice spring and joyful look. All the yellows are elegant and special in a way that I consider it is such a signature of my little Daffodils Joy.  This piece is hand-quilted throughout front and back. The string is used 100% linen wax.

{Pink Lady} 

Featured the lovely pinks within some small scale prints and text prints.  This is such a sweet and cute kin-cha-ku! Each print coordinated well together and the contrast between two side stands out its own characters.  This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back. The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Spring Bee}

Lots spring themes in Spring Bee kin-cha-ku. Perfect for a day out with little one. Bring their little toys or maybe hand sewing projects. I have my mind for a little one while making this kin-cha-ku. Perhaps a special lunch date somewhere special? This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back. The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Wonderland} 

Blues, yellows, and whites are three of most useage colors around quarter inch mark. Wonderland kin-cha-ku has purposely using the linear prints on the white print, so it leads the other prints stand out! This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Blue Tango} 

There is a piano piece called Blue Tango if you look it up. It is so a nice tango music! I always enjoy and inspired by some of the surrounding and happening here! Somehow these little prints and that music piece come to me while I was upstair in the studio. These little floral prints are sweet and indeed the light blue one has been one of my tiny print fabric!  This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax. 

{Joy} 

Nothing like little patchwork pieces that contain with all the fabric love the maker carries! It is hard not to create another Daffolidal Joy style kin-cha-ku. I called this piece is labor of love kin-cha-ku as well. All the tiny hand-quilting stitches and tiny patchwork work surely is the true patchwork to me and the joy to create/make. This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax.

{Sea of Star} 

It has been fun working with dark to light scale of the patchwork. Sea of Star kin-cha-ku is the inspiration after made S' 11th birthday quilt. I wanted something small, but contain the similar colors approach. There are some additional prints that pull out from the stash and add on, but the color scheme stay very close by.  This also another labor of love piece. Tiny patchwork and small hand quilted stitches! As a patchwork maker, I like to stay true about the meaning of it  and stay the original concept of patchworking! This kin-cha-ku, is hand-quilted throughout the front and back.The string is used 100% linen wax.


You'll be able to find all these special of {kin-cha-ku} in the {shop} now. There is also a popular step by step {kin-cha-ku pdf pattern} in the shop to make your own kin-cha-ku and add on your own signatures, stories, and so on!

So, this is the last bit making for selling for me! The compassion of making will keep growing in me and maybe might stay a little quiet from time to time. There are many of  this and that I would like to explore and learn.  Taking time to be a beginning learner is always the best way to start learning or relearning.  

{Thank you from the bottom of my heart}! Thank you for taking time to check in on us, emails, and encourages! Spending your time reading and sending encouragements to a stranger that behind this blog. All these Good Lucks are being collected in my little kin-cha-ku and I'll take it with us on our long road trip this summer, only 1200 miles! We can use that and possibility need more! {smile}


Enjoy

xxc