Sewing Machine Sales in Japan

With face masks in short supply in Japan this year because of the coronavirus, people have started making their own masks. As a result, sewing machine sales have sky rocketed. Companies are offering online instructions for making do-it-yourself masks. 

Brother Sales Ltd., based in Nagoya, saw a 30% rise in sewing machine orders in February and March compared with the previous year. Janome Sewing Machine Company, based in Tokyo, saw sales rise by 20% between March and early April compared with the previous year. The company representative said many customers bought entry-level machines costing 50,000 yen or less, but higher priced models at 100,000 yen or more are also selling well. 

I bought my entry-level Janome six years ago in Hokkaido and I have been very pleased with it.

My New Sewing Machine

Friday was the first day it didn’t snow, so Ted and I decided to get out in the car to run some errands and go out to lunch.  Besides the post office, the hyaku en shop, and Corona for lunch, we looked at sewing machines at three different stores.  I wanted to buy a basic, inexpensive machine. This is the machine I decided on.

 

I can’t read the instruction booklet, but having owned and used sewing machines in the past, I thought I could figure it out.  There is a little diagram right on the machine showing how to thread it. 

 

My first little project is going to be an applique table runner.  For the base, I cut 40 squares, four inches on a side from five different tan fabrics.  I followed JJ’s tutorial on how to quickly piece squares on her Pragamatic Patchwork blog. Check out the link - it really is quick and easy!

 

Now I’m working on cutting out ten fall leaves.  I hope to have more to show soon.

New Christmas Ornaments 2013

I made a few new Christmas decorations this year, some as gifts and some for our tree. I posted about them as I completed them, but here they are all in one place.

Baby Snowmen Ornament

Three Black and Gold Ornaments

Reindeer Ornament

Angel Cross Stitch Ornament

 

Bargello Bell Ornament

Beaded Dragonfly

Mitten Ornament

No "L" Ornament

Let It Snow Ornament

 

Noel Ornament

Candy Cane Snow Man Ornament

 

Miranda's Hardanger Ornament

 

Ted's Reindeer Ornament

Beaded Dragonfly Ornament

 Flat Christmas Tree