Imagine master quilter Yoshiko Jinzenji's world:  complex patterns, simple methods, lush surroundings, lavish creativity. She is an explorer, innovator, and teacher.  Before she moved her studio to Bali, Indonesia, Jinzenji travelled between Japan and North America, making quilts that can be found today in museum collections around the world.  As a teacher and author, Jinzenji encourages experimentation; dying, weaving, hand-piecing and finishing are all within the realm of an adventurous quilter. Today students may travel to Bali for classes held in paradise!

Jinzenji's two books, Quilt Artistry and Simple Quilt, present magnificent projects and appealing techniques. Quilt Artistry sparkles with dewy photographs. The stunning quilt pieces are perfectly framed by the exotic climate and Jinzenji's writing. 

Simple Quilt is a brand new collection of patterns that are fresh and friendly.  Detailed illustrations and diagrams accompany each project, so we didn't mind that the text is in Japanese!  Templates, measurements, and visual directions are all there.

We were very, very excited to receive the first shipment of Jinzenji's new line of fabric from Yuwa.  We did a little dance.  Each design is a wide-repeat, which means that from

selvage to selvage the print is non-repeating.  With one yard, you can cut 99 four-inch squares and each one will be different!  The White Design collection, pictured here, holds a spare, meandering line drawing in the most natural earth colors, with dots and excerpts of the designer's writings.  The Leaf Panel Collection scatters ghostly leaves across the smooth white field.  The fabric itself is a lovely, lightweight cotton. We think it is the perfect accompaniment for her daring, delightful projects.

The photo at top shows Jinzenji at her front gate; we found it at her website, yoshikoquilt.com.