Saturday, October 24, 2009

Surprise Delivery from Japan

Imagine my delight at receiving this book unannounced from Keiko Goke!

It appears to be a retrospective of her career, since there are many familiar works included, plus lots of new ones too. And there are illustrated directions for making just about everything she has pictured.

She is using lots of hand dyed fabrics of course, which is partly what makes her work distinctive.

Not to mention the intense hand embroidery over the surface...amazing!

I love how she takes a simple design and by making it larger than tradition dictates, achieves such impact. Having seen these quilts in person when we taught there, I know this is about 6 feet square.

Even though the directions are in Japanese, you get the idea...




If this doesn't get my juices flowing, I don't know what will. Yummy, just yummy.

I am sorry that I have no information on where to purchase this book, or how long before it becomes available here in the US. I imagine someone will soon tell us all...hopefully. It would make a great holiday present.
Update: Keiko emailed me that her book will be available on Amazon in November, and probably at your LQS. Woowoo! And she has a fabric line which you can also see on her homepage, http://www.keikogoke.com/k_top.html

30 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:32 AM

    Truly awesome! Who does hand-stitching like that? There must be a machine that sews like hand-stitched...lol...I will check Yesasia.com, looks like a book that needs to live in my house. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

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  2. I stayed up way too late last night struggling with an abstract. When I saw the hearts, the technique struck me like lightening and at the beginning of the weekend not at the end. Thanks for sharing Melody. It looks like a good resource book to have. Go get busy girl!!

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  3. What a great surprise. I'll be looking for it. And I love the first pic with your quilt in the background!!!

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  4. Thank you for sharing this information. Such lovely works. I hope I can buy this book soon!
    Have a nice weekend!

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  5. Anonymous10:05 AM

    Luana at equilter carrys some Japanese magazines and has ties to the industry in Japan - perhaps she could help all of us as I too REALLY NEED to have this book!
    Nina in BC

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  6. Oh how gorgeous. I love to do that funky hand stitching and that heart image has totally inspired me. Thanks for sharing. What a lovely gift!

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  7. Thank you so much Melody!!!

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  8. I believe this is her blog
    http://quiltquilt.blog94.fc2.com/

    and I found what I think is her contact page ... I sent off an email.

    She does have 1 book on Amazon but it's unavailable.
    http://www.amazon.com/QUILT-WONDERLAND-Keiko-Goke/dp/4574400625/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256398207&sr=8-1


    Although I lived in Japan many many moons ago I can no longer speak the language. I was just a kid back in the 1960's.

    IF I hear back I'll let you know.

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  9. I could have my thumb joint replaced if I did all that hand sashiko on an fused quilt top! This is miraculously beautiful.

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  10. Her handwork is wonderful and really makes the quilt. Thanks for sharing with us, Melody.

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  11. I love the heart quilt and the hand embroidery is really fabulous. The pile of hand dyed fabrics really jumps off the page -when I first scrolled to it, I thought, gee, she sent you a bunch of fabrics too, how nice! Thanks for sharing; I never would have seen this otherwise. I too would love to see a copy.

    Kristin F. in SC

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  12. Mel,
    Keiko has just done her her first printed fabric line. I bought it at Market in Houston and will put it up on our web site just as soon as it comes in. I was told that delivery will be in December. I love everything she does!
    Liza

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  13. My keyboard is about to short circuit from the drool. I'm loving these!!!

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  14. Anonymous8:51 AM

    I went to your blog to tell you how much I like your October series. The quilts are so beautiful. I always admire your work, and these especially.

    Then I saw your posting about Keiko's book and quilts. Wow. I hope that book becomes available here or that one of my friends takes a trio to Japan and brings it back.

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  15. Anonymous8:35 PM

    Yummy yummy indeed.

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  16. Another reason to love hand embroidery! Gorgeous.

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  17. Oh, I remember the first time I saw her work when YOU took me to the quilt festival. I still dream of Keiko's work. Utterly gorgeous. And I miss you my friend. Take care. Smooches galore. Off I go...

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