Come Fabric Shopping in Tokyo

There is a little fabric shop near Tokyo, Japan called Miss Matatabi. The shop specializes in modern Japanese fabrics and trims. If you have a minute, follow the link to the shop. Or just take a look at these picks. I'm enjoying reading the text in the fabric above. I was curious about the "jewelry casket." The basket fabric below has a little French text. What is it about fabrics that you can read that makes them so enticing?

The ad for the fabric above says these little animals are goats. They look more like lambs to me.

Haha, cute clcothesline image below!

Take a look at the little spoons in the selvage below. Or maybe they're flowers. I'd like to see more of the selvages in this collection.

If we were really in Tokyo, we'd ask Frances the shop owner to suggest a place for lunch. Too bad...virtual has it's limitations!

Japanese Selvages

Here's an example of how Japanese fabric manufacturers make their selvages more interesting. I hope other manufacturers follow their example and make their selvages prettier too. Then our current selvage quilts will look like antiques!

Years ago selvages were very plain, just the company name in a "typewriter" Pica or Elite font. Remember that? Older fabrics don't have anything written on the selvage at all.

Best Selvages Anywhere!

Bunny's Designs is the U.S. Distributor for Cosmo Textile Co., Ltd. This is a Japanese company whose fabrics have the best selvages I have ever seen! Instead of simple color-window dots they use interesting shapes like ice cream cones and rockets. I like that little sewing machine image (below). Now this can really spice up a selvage quilt!

"Thank you" to Angela Milliman, owner of Bunny's Designs for these awesome selvages! They will go front and center in a special project.

Visit Angela's website to see more: www.bunnysdesigns.com.

Japanese Selvages With Unique Color Windows!

Take a look at the color windows on these Japanese selvages! Rather than the usual little dots, these selvages have little birds and houses. What a great idea. These would look so good in a selvage quilt!

I wonder if the fabric manufacturers will make their selvages more interesting as they see quilters featuring them in quilts.

These photos were sent by Amy from Maryland. You can visit her blog at: http://www.thecalicocat.blogspot.com/. Thanks, Amy!

Do you have any Japanese selvages?

Are there any fascinating selvages hiding in your stash? Seeing selvages like this one make me pay more attention to those printed edges. This one is from selvage quilter Elena McDowell. I'm sure she'll find a strategic place to feature this one!

If you know what this says, please post a Comment below. Thanks.