This Hand Piecing is Nearly as Fast as by Machine

Master Quilter Yoko Saito Makes All of Her Quilts by Hand!

You may have seen the extraordinary quilts made by master quilter Yoko Saito. She’s won many awards for her intricately pieced and appliqued quilts and bags.

However, you may not realize that she does all of her piecing by hand (as well as applique and quilting). She hand pieces because she feels it’s just as fast as by machine.

“Around the World” by Yoko Saito.

“Pointsettia” by Yoko Saito.

Watch her demonstrate a running stitch in the following video. You may not be interested in trading in your machine for hand piecing but you’re sure to appreciate her technique.

Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.

The next video shows how she puts a Log Cabin block together. It’s a freeform process that yields excellent results. Be sure to notice how she cuts the thread at the end of each seam.

Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.

Yoko Saito was inspired by antique American quilts and went on to become the originator of the Japanese Taupe color theory. Soft colors of the Japanese landscape within a small value range combine for stunning results.

She also owns a quilt shop named Quilt Party, teaches and has written several books. Get a glimpse of her shop here.

Ricky Tims interviews her in the following video. It’s a fascinating insight into Yoko Saito’s quiltmaking. Notice her gorgeous quilt and handmade bags.

Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.

You can learn more about Japanese Taupe in the following video. You may also be interested in Yoko Saito’s Japanese Taupe Color Theory: A Study Guide.

Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.

There’s much to learn from this extraordinary quilter. At the very least, the next time you need to hand stitch a seam consider speeding up the process by using her method.