A big part of Japanese children beginning yochien (preschool) is the gathering of all the supplies needed. Amongst the uniforms, lunchboxes, and crayons are the bags in which it all goes in. Traditionally they are handmade from adorable and bold children’s fabrics, usually a pre-quilted type. Of course, they are now commercially available with that ‘handmade look’ and are sold right next to the fabric bolts to make your own! There is also a big industry of mums who make and sell bags according to your specified needs – each yochien asks for specific bags, in specific sizes, with specific handles and/or drawstrings!
A fellow foreign mum was asking where she could buy fabric to send to one of these mums when I hesitantly suggested that I could make them for her if she liked… She said yes! She needed a bookbag with handles, a clothes bag with handles and drawstrings, and then a bag for indoor shoes (because of course you have to change into indoor shoes when you get there each morning).
She bought and sent me all the material and hardware, and after many an email to sort it all out, the bags were finished and delivered yesterday.
With some scrap fabric, I made a little T – her son’s initial – which was simply threaded onto some leftover drawstring cord, but that she can do with as she likes.
I had so much fun! They were very quick and easy to make up, and a good practise for having to make some of my own for Jonathan. Poor boy thought they were all for him, so you may see some more bags here in the exact same fabric very soon!
Finally, you HAVE to stop by Hadley at Flying Blind On A Rocket Cycle to see the amazing Liberty lovelies she has made from her Triangle Papers for the Having A Starry Time blog hop!! Plus she has a giveaway. Pop back tomorrow for my tutorial and giveaway too!
Flying Blind... says
Oh these are lovely!! Poor Jonathan, you will have to make it up to him big time 😉
Cassandra says
How cute!!!
Cynthia@aquilterbynight says
Fantastic, so cute! I love the bit of stripes on the handle.
Jess says
They look great Alyce!
Deborah says
Oh how adorable! Great job!
Sooli says
They look great, so bold and bright. Could be a big market for you over there. Maybe you should give the Mum some business cards to hand out if she gets compliments on the bags!
Jenelle says
These are adorable! I really enjoy reading about the cultural differences you’ve encountered living in Japan. Out of curiosity, what kinds of indoor shoes do the kids wear? Are they like slippers? When I was in India, we just went barefoot inside, but it was also a tropical climate.
Taryn says
The bags turned out so cute! The little cars and trucks are so adorable!
Finding Fifth says
I agree these are adorable. Well done on such a great collection.
Deborah says
These are so cute! I can’t imagine having to send my pre-schooler to school every day with so many bags!
Waverlee says
These are gorgeous!
Amys Crafty Shenanigans says
Awww – they are so cute!!! I love hearig about the traditions and customs – what a great experience!
Marit says
These are so cute! I think I’d be a bit intimidated by all the rules and requirements (at least if making for someone else!) Fun to learn something about Japan too – so interesting and different from Norwegian culture. Thanks for sharing and linking up to TGIFF!
audrey says
These look great! It seems much too complicated though! (The different sizings, I mean, not your bags!) 🙂
Kirsten says
You have used such cute fabrics for these lovely bags and the quilting is fabulous!
Jeneta says
Absolutely fantastic Alyce! I’m looking forward to seeing Jonathan’s in time.
Mara says
So cute, at least the Japanese are so organized, telling you exactly what is needed.
wannabequilter.com says
Awesome bags!
Richard Healey says
Thank you for linking up in March to Richard and Tanya Quilts on our Link a Finish Friday. We will have a new linkup available every Friday. So stop by and share what you have been working on and check out what others are doing.