Komebukuro & Mottainai

Mottainai (moe-tie-nigh) is an integral part of Japanese life. Simply put, it means 'not being wasteful,' although sometimes it's said wistfully when something is wasted, whether that's something physical (dinner left on a plate) or in terms of character (like when a person misses out on something purely through lack of effort, that's mottainai). 

One particular household item is emblematic of that ethos of mottainai--the komebukuro.  These were small drawstring sacks, some square shaped, some rectangular, that women used to carry rice or beans to the neighborhood temple or shrine as an offering.  These pouches were simple, and typically made from scraps of household textiles (clothing, kimono, tenugui (hand towels), and they were stitched in that simple running stitch, or sashiko stitch.  Of course, as the pouch grew more worn, additional patches were added, because, well,  'mottainai.'

As people who work with textiles and yarn, we're all too familiar with scraps.  How many of us have 10 yards or less of a ball of yarn from a project long ago, just in case? Of course, with m.a.b.e.l, I am INUNDATED with scraps.  I've been lucky in the past and have found new homes for plenty of my leftovers, but recently, the pile has begun to grow out of control.  

On my long drive home from Nash Yarn Fest, I had 12 hours to think about scraps, and a bit of a Pinterest search turned up the humble komebukuro!  Yes, now that's a band wagon I can happily climb aboard!  Back in Philly, I experimented with both solid pieces of quilt, and piecing some of my many many smaller scraps together with a zig-zag stitch (without a seam allowance).  Happily, both worked, and the Quilt Komebukuro was born.  

I love the scrappy nature of this pouch.  I made mine on the larger size (8" x 8" x 8"), and lined it with canvas, to give it some structure. I did line some with muslin, and the slouchy pouchy look is nice too!

This is a super satisfying, easy-peasy project, and because I've barely made a dent in my scraps, I'll be offering some kits later this summer (and hosting a sew-along too).   Also on the docket--a hand-stitched version, so you can make use of your wonderful non-quilted scrap fabrics, and add some decorative stitching flair.  

Why not jump on this bandwagon with me--if you don't, it'd be mottainai!