Tatami Heri + FREE Tatami Bag Instructions
Tatami are the thick, traditional floor mats found in Japanese homes and temples. They are made from compressed straw, topped with smooth rush matting and the edges are finished beautifully with these 'heri' brocade ribbons.
The heri ribbons feature beautiful designs and are available here in 1.5m rolls. The fabric is quite stiff so gives a little structure to your items - you can use it to make bags, straps, belts and lots of other wonderful things! Give a touch of Japanese style to your creations and let your imagination run wild.
Many of the designs are double-sided (with the colours in reverse on the back) and I have tried to show this in the photographs. The edges are ready-hemmed, too. It looks fabulous to put several different heri together on one project and I can't wait to see what you make.
The heri ribbons feature beautiful designs and are available here in 1.5m rolls. The fabric is quite stiff so gives a little structure to your items - you can use it to make bags, straps, belts and lots of other wonderful things! Give a touch of Japanese style to your creations and let your imagination run wild.
Many of the designs are double-sided (with the colours in reverse on the back) and I have tried to show this in the photographs. The edges are ready-hemmed, too. It looks fabulous to put several different heri together on one project and I can't wait to see what you make.
Tatami Bag
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YOU WILL NEED:
4 x 1.5m rolls of tatami heri TIPS: * Do not wash or iron your tatami! * Machine sewing recommended * Use a 1/4" seam allowance throughout * To press seams open, simply place your fabric right side down and run your thumb down the seam * Make sure all your rolls are the same length before you start - trim if necessary * You can either make it as a reversible bag, or you can add a snap fastener or button and loop if you prefer to have a closure * Quilting clips are very handy for 'pinning' pieces together * Sometimes you will be sewing many layers together. You may have to slow right down or even turn the wheel on your machine by hand for a few stitches to avoid breaking a needle! INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Put your rolls into two pairs. You will use each pair to make a bag outer (or inner - it's reversible!). From each pair: 2. Choose which roll you will use for the front and back of the bag and cut this into 6 x 25cm strips 3. Sew 3 strips side by side for the front, and 3 for the back. If your tatami is double-sided, you can flip the centre strip for added interest 4. Pin/clip the centre of the long roll to the bottom of the front piece and sew, leaving 1/4" at the start and end 5. Sew the long roll up the sides of the front piece, again leaving 1/4" at the start and end. This makes the corners easier to sew, as they can be a bit fiddly. 6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 with the back piece. You should have an outer bag shape, with the straps loose at the top 7. Repeat steps 2-6 with your other pair of rolls 8. RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, place one bag inside the other and pin/clip all the way around the top of the bag and the straps 9. Sew down the long lengths of both straps (leave the short ends open), and across ONE of the top edges of the bag (leave the other edge open for turning) 10. Turn the bag the right way out, including the straps. Use a knitting needle or chopstick to help with turning the straps. Put the inner body into the outer one, so it looks like a bag 11. Now is the time to add a bag snap, if you don't want it to be reversible. You can also shorten the strap if you like 12. To close the strap, turn the hem of one of the straps under and slide the other strap into it about 2cm. Sew these straps closed by sewing a rectangle shape where they join 13. Top stitch each side of the strap, then across the top of the bag on each side, taking care to turn the hem of the open side under to close it as you go, and adding a little fabric loop and button closure if you like FINISHED! I would love to see your finished bags, or anything else you make from tatami heri. Please send your photos to me here |
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5 Minute Wallet
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YOU WILL NEED:
36cm of tatami heri INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Fold over the short ends by 1cm and stitch 2. Fold the whole piece in half and finger press 3. Fold each end in 6cm and finger press. OPTIONAL: add a snap 2cm from each folded edge 4. Stitch down the long edges to make card pockets 5. Done! 
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