Tokyo International Quilt Show 2019

The Tokyo International Quilt Show held annually at Tokyo Dome. It needs no introductions. Last January, I've been very lucky to be able to go and see for the 3rd time  and it still never failed to amaze me. The quilts and the people.

We were lucky to be given free opening ceremony tickets (read in my previous post) and we were there before 9 AM on the opening day! We stayed in Mystays Hotel Higashi Ikebukuro which has easy access to Tokyo Dome. From the hotel, you can take either JR line from Otsuka Station to Suidobashi Station or Subway Marunouchi Line from Shin Otsuka Station to Korakuen Station (This is the fastest!) and great view too. 

It was really amazing experience since  we could see all the displayed quilts before the crowds entered.

look at those bags!!

Without further ado, here are few of my faves! You can see more pictures HERE

Grand Prix 1st Place

Chiyoko Takayama

Winner of Youth Category

And the crowd favorite!

The Kimono Quilt - There are 1500 of them !!

Different Colors and Different Style

Reversible Quilt

Side #1

Side #2

Main display featuring Monet's Garden - my fave!

The Monet's Garden was simply marvelous! The artist's interpretation from the real Monet's garden was simply amazing! 

2 happy girls outside the Tokyo Dome :D

Once inside the Dome, we were lost in the quilt wonderland! Before we knew it, it was dark and time to head out with a box full of fabrics & books and head full of ideas. The quilts, the shopping, the generous people! Like someone wrote on her blog, going to Tokyo Quilt Festival was like watching Olympic . Absolutely right! Quilt Olympic that is! 

Check out the rest of the photos HERE 

Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog.

Have a nice day!

- Elvira-

Zip Around Wallet with Binding Tutorial

As promised here is the tutorial for the zip around wallet. This method is finished with binding. We are going to use bias binding here and you can check how to make bias binding in this Post. 

What you need:

- Family Passport Wallet Pattern or Travel Wallet Pattern

- Bias binding 1.75" wide 

- #5 zipper - 24" long
- ZIpper Foot (Optional)

Let's start :

1. Assembled the passport wallet as per the pattern instructions, minus the FLAP making part. Mark the centre top and bottom of the wallet with erasable pen. Then mark approx 3/8" to 1/2" on each side of the centre mark, like shown the in the picture below. 

2. Prepare the zipper : 

On the open end, fold the zipper tape diagonally like the above picture

Then fold it down and hold it with a clip or pin

sew along the edge like the above picture.

Sew across the close end of the zipper to prevent the zip puller from slipping off

3.  Attaching the zipper.

We will attach the zipper from the interior part of the wallet. Open the zipper and start at the top, align one folded end of the zipper , right side up,  on the right side mark. 

 Using wonder clips, clip the zipper tape all around and start sewing from the top with 1/8" seam allowance and stop when you reach the right side mark at the bottom. 

Go slow around the corners. Sew one stitch at a time as you maneuver the wallet. 

Now close the zipper and draw a line on the zipper tape from where the stitch end, like in the picture below. 

Now open the zipper again and place the marked zipper tape  in line with the left side mark at the bottom. Clip all around and start sewing from the marked line all the way to the top of the wallet with 1/8" seam allowance and stop on the left side mark. 

When finished, it will look like the pictures below: 

4. Attaching the binding. 

Fold end of the bias binding  diagonally and place it on one side of the wallet, covering the zipper tape. Sew with scant 1/4" seam allowance. 

  

Be careful while maneuvering around the corners. Remember to always push the zipper teeth away. Setting the machine speed lower will help. 

when you reach the bottom, just pull the zipper tail inward and continue sewing. 

Before turning the bias binding, slightly cut /round the corners and make small clips on the zipper and binding fabric in the corners.  

Now, put on your fave movie and start hand sew the binding :D

Last step, trim the zipper end by about 2" and encase the end of the zipper tape with a matching fabric. 

et Voila!! Pat yourself on the back for completing your beautiful wallet with all around zipper! 

I hope the tutorial is clear enough. I will try to make a video tutorial when I make my next passport wallet! It was kind of difficult to take photos and video at the same time ^_^ 

here is the wallet in action on my YouTube Channel

Do tag me in Instagram if you make one based on this tutorial. 

Thank you for your patience reading this long post :)

Happy Sewing!

- Elvira -