Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags

Anne and Gill from the Lewes Sewing Bees have made some mini Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags from the leftover exclusive fabrics.  These are such sweet little bags with so many uses I can think of.  If you remember, a few weeks ago I shared Gill’s gorgeous ‘Anna’s Garden’ jacket and Anne’s beautiful Pear Table Runner and fabulous hold all bag.  They have very cleverly used the offcuts from these projects to make these sweet little bags.  
 
Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags
 
I asked them about the bags:
 
Anne says “I love Susan Briscoe’s book Japanese Quilt Inspirations and in it I found an excellent description of Komebukuro rice bags.  She describes how to make them in any size. So imagine my glee when I found a mini kit complete with metallic fabrics and silky cord on the Japancrafts shop. It was so quick to make and very economical on fabric and now I can’t stop making them!”
 
Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags
 
“They are fully reversible Komebukuro.  Traditionally, these were used to carry offerings such as rice to the temple.  These mini ones are so easy to make and people without machines can sew them completely by hand. I particularly love the fabric beads on the end of the ties.”
 
Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags
 
I love these little bags as well as the origin of the design.  I can imagine people with their precious goods travelling to the temple to give their offerings.  These little bags look so useful.  Their flat bottom means that they can hold a useful amount of goods – whether that’s for organising one’s bedroom or bathroom.  I can see this being very useful for my daughters hair band supply plus many other things.
 
Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags
 
Anne also sent some more little Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags to the studio last week with these brightly coloured cord ties. This completely transforms the look of the bags and gives them a vibrancy which is stunning.  Thank you Anne and Gill for sharing your little bag project with us.  The originality in the things you make never disappoints!
 
Komebukuro Liberty Rice Bags