Quilting Legend Yoko Saito Traveling to Houston | McCall’s Quilting Blog

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Yoko Saito

Expert quiltmaking skills along with the ability to combine the subtle taupe textures and prints into breathtaking quilts are what makes Japanese quilt artist Yoko Saito a legend in the quilt world. I have admired her work for years and always look forward to seeing her quilts at major exhibits. I am in awe of the color mastery and technical skills of each and every quilt she designs and makes. Yoko Saito is standing in front of her “Around the World” quilt at Quilt Party, Ms. Saito’s quilt shop and school in Ichikawa City, Japan in 2016. This lovely quilt has over 20,000 pieces of 1 cm squares, all pieced by hand.

This year Lecien is celebrating the release of the 23rd Centenary collection Yoko Saito has designed during the 20+ years they have worked together. The collection combines prints and yarn-dyed fabrics in a style that is uniquely her own.

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Along with her fabric collections and award-winning quilts, she has authored many books, including “Yoko Saito’s Japanese Taupe Color Theory – A Study Guide” and “Traditional Block Patterns” and is actively involved with Japanese magazines, television and exhibitions.

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Traditional Block Patterns

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Taupe Color Theory

For the first time in many years, Yoko Saito will be traveling to Houston, Texas for the International Quilt Market (October 28-30, 2017) and Quilt Festival (November 2-5, 2017). Along with her visit, she is teaching a sold-out workshop at Quilt Festival, and there will be a celebration of her work with a special exhibit of her quilts: Yoko Saito Through the Years – My Quilt Journey. I can’t wait to see it! If you’re traveling to Quilt Market or Quilt Festival, this is a must-see exhibit.

Lecien is sponsoring a “special pre-order campaign” for shops between September 15th and October 15th. If you’re a shopowner, go to Checker Distributors or EE Schenck for details. There will be a book signing by Yoko Saito at the Lecien booth at Quilt Market, booth #2234, Saturday, 10/28 at 11:30am. If you’re a consumer, encourage your shop to carry these luscious fabrics for you to work with.

To see how Yoko Saito’s new Centenary 23rd Collection fabrics would look in a quilt design, Acquisitions Editor Lori Baker recolored “Sophia’s Song” (click here to download the pattern), a quilt designed by Gerri Robinson for the McCall’s Quilting May/June 2011 issue.

The subtle shading and texture of the fabrics create a lovely neutral palette—so popular in the current decorating style.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the Yoko Saito quilt exhibit and/or work with these fabrics in your own quilt creations.

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