[.ca] Omiyage (ISBN 0809229099)

**Beautifull Handmade SMall Japanese Gifts & Crafts**:
Kumiko's book is beautiully photographed, and well designed, it's a small treasure like crafts you'll find inside. I am a NOVICE sewer, and a very visual right-brained person. I find the instructions, simple and easy to follow, the addition of illustrations, photographs, sewing tips, and patterns (you can photocopy from the back of the book) are indeed helpfull. At first I was looking for a book on sewing small handbags, like the Sakura or Conpaito. I was delighted to see that this book includes an assortment of ; good luck dolls, hai-hai dolls, oriental style pin cushions, Temari balls, sewing box & thimble, several flowers, butterflies and small animals. Ms. Sudo touches on the point that Omiyage is inspired by origami, and gives tips on the fabric folds, purse hems, making fabric beads, and tying decorative knots. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in making the jump from paper origami to fabric projects, also to those interested in sewing crafts wanting to branch out into small projects (other than stuffed animals), and of course to anyone who enjoys making and giving hand-made gifts.

Handmade items that are easy to make and look incredible!:
Omiyage is one of the best books for small handcrafts I have ever seen. It uses my scrap material but the intricate patterns make every project look rich! My 16 year old daughter found the daffofil pocket and has made at least 5 in the last week! Although some of the more difficult patterns seem to leave out a step, the directions are clear, easy to read and easy to follow. The patterns in the back are easy to copy and use and I plan to use this book to make small, quick gifts for my friends' birthdays! I was also interested in the Japanese culture and there is great introductory information on the art of Omiyage in Japan, as well as information on holidays and some folktales. I requested that my library order a copy, but I bought a personal copy for myself! It is a WONDERFUL book!! Kumiko Sudo is a gifted artist.

Delightful!:
This has been a refreshing change from so many 'craft' sewing books. It was easy to follow and is based on a genuine Japanese craft. The items I have made turned out beautifully and are admired by the receipients. I have made several little bags and adapted others for pincushions. Toatly enjoy this book!

Beautiful Book:
I was delighted to find this book is not only beautifully written but the projects are also easy to make. I whipped my first project up in about two hours.

Delightful!:
There is only one word for this book, and it is DELIGHTFUL! I have owned it for a year now, and I am still having as much fun with this book as when I first bought it. The designs are so fresh and funky! I did find some mistakes in the directions, but maybe it was just me not understanding correctly. I still managed to come out with some stunning results in my own bumbling way. The craft items are designed to be hand-sewn, but I hate hand sewing so was able to do a lot of the steps on the machine. Some hand sewing is inescapable, though. When I take up needle and thread, it makes me crazy! The thread automatically snarls and knots, and my "invisible" stitches are all too visible. But even with that said, I LOVED what I came up with. But it is my philosophy that it is the errors that give our homemade items character. That's how we know it isn't mass-produced and picked up from a bargain bin in Wal-Mart or something. So if someone notices my "invisible" stitches, I can pretend that I did it that way on purpose. But back to OMIYAGE - most of the designs are cleverly made into little bags or drawstring pouches. Just great for hiding a little additional gift. All my loved ones recieved these craft items last Christmas, and will probably recieve them again this year. I am having too much fun to stop now. I still haven't created the entire repetoire yet, plus, the selection of different fabrics creates an all-new design. Did I say enough good things about this book? Money well spent, Omiyage has been my best book purchase in a long time!