Sign at the Entrance to Quilt Party 

Given how the popularity of quilting in Japan has grown in recent decades, it was surprising to learn that there actually are very few shops dedicated to quilters and quilting.  So I was delighted to visit Quilt Party, Yoko Saito’s delightful quilt shop, studio and workshop venue in Tokyo.  The well-stocked store offered with every imaginable quilter’s tool and gadget, as well as Saito’s unique patterns and kits, luscious threads, and bolts and bolts of Japanese fabrics, including some designed by Ms. Saito herself.

Before I had a chance to hyperventilate over the shop’s wares, though, our group was able to meet with Yoko Saito herself in her classroom where we examined some of her masterful quilts, and learned, through translation by our intrepid guide Yumi, about Saito’s quilter’s journey, her work, and her business.

Yoko Saito’s work is all made completely by hand (pieced, appliqued, and quilted) of somber naturally dyed fabrics in quiet tones of beige, tan, brown, black, gray, olive, ochre, ecru and white.  Most of those we saw in the studio were large, highly detailed depictions of traditional Japanese village life, other world cities, trees/nature, or characters from children’s books. For a quilt show theme, Ms. Saito created the poster piece, featuring characters from Peter Rabbit.  Many of the quilts had elaborate embroidery. There was even a little village of And in every quilt, somewhere, the tiny figure of Ms. Saito’s little dog appears.

Saito’s little dog appears somewhere in every quilt.
 

After closely examining these enchanting pieces, we were free to roam the shop.  As an idea for a quilt took shape in my mind, I purchased several cuts of different indigo-dyed cotton prints and variegated threads to take home with me.