1. Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Satomi Quilts

Join me to learn about how Satomi of Satomi Quilts started her quilting journey, from where she draws her inspiration for her quilt designs, and how teaching her boys to snowboard has made her a better quilting teacher.

GUEST BIO
Satomi Hoar is from rural northern Japan and lives in northwest Connecticut with her husband and two children. She is a modern traditional quilt pattern designer and Bernina Ambassador.

She began quilting nearly ten years ago when her husband’s mother, an experienced quilter originally from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, offered to teach her. Aside from her family, designing quilt patterns and making quilts is her greatest joy.

She looks to nature, the many places she’s been fortunate to visit and to live, and the experiences of meeting so many amazing people through quilting as her inspiration. To learn more about Satomi Quilts, follow her on Instagram @satomi_quilts or visit her website at www.satomiquilts.com.

LEARN JAPANESE EP. 1
"Nanakorobi Yaoki": Fall down seven times, stand up eight.

Transcript

Welcome to Creative Japan, the podcast where we explore the vibrant world of artists and makers united by a Japanese connection. Join us as artists from around the globe discuss their work and share their creative journeys. I am your host, Emi Takagi Stapler, a Japanese American quilter and designer.

I discovered my own artistic voice, one I describe as modern meets heritage, when I found myself pulling from my Japanese culture and upbringing in my designs. I believe that by listening to other stories, we can grow as creatives and find new sources of inspiration. Get ready to be immersed in a rich tapestry of stories that can ignite your artistic voice here at Creative Japan.

Youkoso. Welcome. I am pleased to have Satomi from Satomi Quilts here with me today. She is a first generation quilter who was given the gift of quilting from her late mother in law. The first quilt she made with her mother in law's assistance changed her life, and she has been making quilts and handmade items ever since. 

She is originally from rural northern Japan, is a Bernina Ambassador for the Q16 sit down longarm machine, and currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.

Welcome, Satomi. I'm thrilled to have you here and I appreciate you taking time. I know that especially this week is super busy and I'm looking forward to learning more about you and your work. To start out, can you tell us a little bit about where you're from, where you grew up, and where you're currently living? 

Okay. Yeah. My name is Satomi. I'm Japanese and I grew up in Akita Prefecture, which is located in northern Japan, on main island. And, currently I'm living in Connecticut in the U.S. Okay. Fantastic. And how many years have you been in the U. S.? About 12, 13, 13 years now. Yeah. Okay. Is it starting to feel like home? Yeah. Yeah. I love living here. So I really enjoy it. 

What in your life journey brought you to quilting then? Did you, were you introduced to it prior to moving to the U. S.? 

I didn't know about quilting at all until I met my mother in law.  So, you know, she, she's Lancaster, she's a quilter and she's from, Lancaster, she was, unfortunately, you know, sadly she passed away last year, but, she's from Lancaster County in Pennsylvania. So she taught me how to quilting, after I had second son,  because, we moved to Connecticut around the time and then, you know, winter is so long.

I was, I had two little kids at home, so it was great that I, you know, learned something, you know, new. And I could, surprisingly, I really enjoyed. Yeah no, it sounds like a gift. Like she was giving you something to, to fuel your, your creativity and your needs as, as a, you know, young mother.  

Yeah. And then, you know, I didn't have anything, any tool. So she prepared, she gave me her scraps and some fabrics, needle, scissors, rulers, old sewing machine, everything. So I can get started. 

Even though you weren't introduced to quilting until you met your mother in law, do you feel like anything in your upbringing in Japan prepared you for quilting? Did you have any exposure to textile arts or did you do any creative, or did you have any creative hobbies?  

No, nothing. That's the funny thing. So that's why I was really surprised I really loved whole process. Like before becoming a mom, I was doing accounting work for the company. So nothing. Nothing. 

So it was love at first sight. Just. Just, first, so I started with hand applique then I– yeah, so she taught me, I learned traditional quilting first, so she taught me one by one. You know, I, I could see what she's doing so I could learn from her so she can give me some advice. So first applique piece, that probably changed my life. 

Okay. So you entered from like handwork, not from, from using a machine then? No, I did hand applique, hand quilting first. Okay. And, you know, just, just following you on social media and seeing your website, I mostly see what I assume is machine pieced work. Do you still, do you still practice applique as well? 

You know what? I just don't have enough time doing like handwork since I started business. And then I do machine applique time to time,  but I really miss doing that, you know, handwork. 

Yeah, no. So something you still enjoy, but it's a time factor now then. Yeah. Okay. So what do you enjoy most about the quilting process now that you've been quilting for I believe you said over 10 years now. What fuels you to keep to keep going? What part of the process?  

I definitely love selecting the colors for the quilt, for the each project, because I feel like, you know, the color of the quilt, what kind of fabric you use, what kind of color you use, like reflect who you are, who I am, so I can express myself doing that. I like, I like everything about quilting, but especially selecting the fabrics and colors. 

Okay. And that brings me to another question. So I did notice, I believe it was last summer. You have a Robert Kaufman, like a curated fabric bundle. So that came to my mind as you were talking about colors, are the colors in that bundle, what you would consider maybe your brand colors or your favorite colors that you like to create with? 

I, that was a really exciting project for me, but, you know, so many choices, like, you know, overwhelmed because I could choose anything and then, so, but I just picked a little bit of everything that I like. And then I really liked the result  after I put all the colors together and I really liked the result. And, yeah, that became the bundle. 
So you, you don't necessarily only create in those colors. Those were just colors that you were drawn to and that you have, have used in different designs then?  

Yeah. So when I selected colors, usually I have a project and then I select the colors in fabric for the project. So even totally reversed, you know, I had to pick first, like I have 20 colors and then I had some project in my mind,  but I just didn't want to use for only one project. So make sure that I can use for different projects. Yeah, so it was a little bit difficult, but at the end, like I mentioned, like, I really liked the result. So, so that became the bundle. 

When I see your work described, you categorize it as modern traditional. So not all of my listeners are quilters and each quilter may have a slightly different definition of what that is. What does that mean to you? So how does that define your work?  

You know what? I still don't know exactly what modern is. So because it's so wide, wide range and then. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So, since I started, learning from, traditional quilt, like hand applique, hand quilting, and I learned a lot because my mother in law kept all the magazines like 20, 30 years.

So I went through many, many magazines in the past. So I learned from the visual from the magazines what traditional quilts look like. And then that's how I started. Then I discovered on social media or internet there's a people called modern quilters or modern quilts. And then I, I really loved it because color is more bright and unique designs and people can make anything.

So, I have still traditional side in me. That's the, my backbone, like basic, but I really love the, creating a new stuff, something cute, something more, you know, colorful. So this is kind of my  way of describing modern traditional.  

Yeah, no, I actually think it's a good reflection of your work because,  you know, I'm in a number of modern guilds, and I've done a lot of modern work and there's the more kind of art side of modern, right? Where it's more geometric or it's more negative space, things of that nature, but by adding the word traditional, which is where your foundation came from and where a lot of your influence comes from, I, I feel like it, it works, it works to describe your work, whereas, you know, it's your modern color palettes and your modern take on, on your traditional foundation that you're influenced by. 

So that brings me to your quilting toolbox. So I know that you're a, I don't want to say you're a newer quilter because it seems like you, you hit the ground running, right? You know, you haven't been quilting for, you know, for a very, very long time, but enough that you probably have some favorite tools or some essentials that, that you wouldn't be able to live without.

Right. Can I pick up a few? Because it's so difficult to pick one. Yes, yes. Toolbox. Maybe there's three things in there, maybe there's ten. Like what's in your toolbox you cannot, you cannot go without? 

You know what? I don't know if this is a, count as a, from the toolbox, but, like a quarter, like a seam allowance. Like a tape. Is it dia– Yes. Yes. Diagonal seam. What's that called? Like a tape. Oh, the diagonal seam tape. Like, so like the washi tape? Yes. Okay. Yeah. That I have to have it . Okay. Yeah. And then one thing doesn't really fit into my toolbox, but, the knee lift for the sewing machine.  

Absolutely. You can't go back. Once you have it, you cannot go back. No, no. Those two.  Okay. Those are the two, two. Yeah. No matter what you're doing, if you have those two things, the other tools can change. Right. 

We talked about the, the curated quilt bundle, the colors that inspire your work, but that you usually design first. So where do you draw your inspiration for your quilt designs? 

Usually  like things around me, like, in a, like a daily life. Things that I see, like sometimes, for example, like during the pandemic, I have the mailbox design called Sending You Love, because this is just a mailbox design, the heart on it. And then, I made it because during the pandemic, you know, we couldn't go out anywhere, you know, in the beginning.

And then I even didn't want to go to the post office because it's such a little space and there's so many people trying to get in. Only one person could get into the room and everything. So, and then I realized, there's a little flag on the mailbox. Which I had no idea what that was since I've, even though I'm living in the U.S. like over 10 years and I asked my husband, what is it? And, oh, you just put the flag up and then you put in the mail to, for the outgoing mail so the mail carrier can pick it up. Wow. Like, you know, so that's the inspiration because I had to ship a patterns to the customers. So I could do it from home. 

OK no, so I love that story. I love that story. So it's like, as you were learning things in a new country, it became an inspiration for your work. Oh, fun. So that brings us to your, your latest quilt pattern. So you're releasing a new pattern this week. So by the time this podcast airs, it will be available. And before I give it away, just, can you, can you tell the audience a little bit about, what that pattern is. I believe there's three different versions. Is that correct? 

Yes. Okay. The pattern called Patchwork Mugs. You know, use patchwork, like a patched, like a big mug. But, we're going to use the squares to make a mug and it's all patched. So that's it. That's the title. It describes the pattern, but there's three versions. 

One is tree, I add tree to the mug, and then also heart and stars, and then, that pattern includes only one size, which is large throw, but those three versions, will be in the pattern. Okay, yeah, so the mug is the same. But there's a certain space in the mug that is interchangeable, right? Different, you can choose or actually probably could mix it up, right?

Do a medley on the same quilt too, if you wanted to. Yeah. You said that your surroundings inspire you. So where did the inspiration for this latest quilt pattern come from? Well, I love, I have already a few mug quilt patterns and then I love having coffee in the morning so mug is a must have for me and then also this time because I made a mug again but why I made a patchwork version because I had so many fabrics, a little bit left, like you know, fat quarters, fat eighths, like I had a little bit of everything, and I just wish I could use, so I came up with the idea. 

And then just a mug made by just squares will be a little bit boring. So that's why I did those three heart stars. Okay. And I did see like on your social media as you're carrying the quilt top. That you were surrounded by snow and pine trees. So is that possibly where the pine trees came from? 

Well, yes, because we are, I'm living in Connecticut and in, in the woods. So tree, we have trees everywhere, you know, all the angle. So in the beginning, I thought I'm going to just make trees. But, and then, you know, there's so many possibilities I could do, so I decided to go with one size but three versions. And then since I love heart quilts, so I added heart and then stars for the traditional, like, people love that. 

By the time that this releases, it will be available for purchase. So, can you tell us, you know, is it on your website? Do you carry your patterns through distributors?  Yes, you can get the patterns on my website and also Etsy shop for the digital version. And then also distributor will carry. I'm gonna have to give them information, but hopefully the local quilt shops can carry the pattern too.

All right. So the next question I had was, so I've been sewing on Bernina machines for roughly 15 years. So, you know, once you own them, you start to get their newsletters and emails. I can't remember how many years ago you were featured. I think you've been featured on, on multiple emails, but I, I saw you on one of their newsletters.

So can you tell us a little bit about that partnership? Cause again, you've only been quilting for like 10 years and you're a Bernina ambassador, like, wow.  Oh, thank you. So I, when I started quilting, you know, I wasn't using Bernina sewing machine yet. I just started with the old, my mother in law's sewing machine.

Then I purchased smaller machine, but, uh, there was a free motion feature to the machine. So I was using that machine little while, but, you know, since I quilted a lot, uh, the machine is  failing, you know, even I sent out for the cleaning, but didn't do anything anymore. So that was the time. Three years ago, 2021, 20-20, something around that, around that time.

It was the time I had to purchase new sewing machine. And then the quilt shop, was the local quilt shop was the Benina dealership.  And then, so I went there. I know I, I wanted to buy something, a little bit, nice. But there are so many machines, really high end, and then since  I'm a quilter, I was almost going for the bigger machine.

I have B480, which is kind of small for the quilters, but the throat was, for me, it was big enough compared with the one I had in the past because it was such a small throw that I had. So, I saw B480, and then I saw another one, really big one, for the Quilter’s Edition. Then I saw Q16, which is sit down, longarm model. 

And then, they're all good. So, but since I do free motion quilting, I was Looking at the Q16, but you know, I, the price was quite a bit, so I couldn't go for two machines, but I was thinking of it, so I'm going to use the four, you know, B480 first and see, you know, this is going. And then shop, the shop owner told me when I purchased the machine, you should apply for the  ambassadorship for Benina. They're asking for the application right now. So, okay, and I'll do, and I did for Q16, and then how lucky I, I was. 

Oh, wow. So you purchased the 480 and you applied for the ambassadorship and then you got the Q16. So you were able to get both. Both. Yeah. Oh, wow. Yeah, I'm so, it was kind of a long story, but you know, it ended up like that. So I could be ambassador for the Bernina and then I could work with them. I could use the machine and share my experience. 

Yeah, no, fantastic. And, speaking of ambassadorship, you filmed, I think it was in Denver. You got to film as a Bernina ambassador recently on TV. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Yes, last, uh, summer, I went to Denver, Colorado to shoot two segments for Quilting Arts TV show.  So that was, because they have, they need somebody who can use Q16. So, and then I came in, so I got the phone call, like, are you interested in, yes.  Yeah, so,  so it was, yeah, so I came up with the two, projects. And then submitted, make sure that they're, you know, something they can use. So I flew there and then shoot, yeah, these two segments. 

And where did that air? Was that on, is that available online? Yes. You can purchase on the show, whole series, Quilting Art, Quilting Art 3000, that's it, the number. Yeah. And then you can purchase online, it's on my  website. Yeah. Great. Yeah. Yeah. Quilting Daily website.  Yeah. Quilting Daily website. You can purchase the show. And then also there is a free, you can download free information. The written patterns in there so you can, you know, you can see what you need and you can watch the TV how I did or how other people did. Yeah. There are a lot of amazing, art quilters. Yeah. 

How many different ambassadors or instructors were there?  I, me, and other one more, lady was the Bernina ambassador and the host of the TV show. She, she's ambassador too. And then, yeah. So the others are all like artists. Yeah. Okay. So like award winning quilters. Yeah, sure. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. All right. Fantastic. I will definitely have to check that out.  

So bringing us back to winter and snow, it's, it's on your, your social media that you're also a snowboarder. So I think that that's, I mean, I think that's really cool. So is it, is it a hobby or do you, do you do like competitive or what, what's your background with snowboarding? 

Oh, just totally hobby. I can't do any, I can't do any cool tricks or anything. You're not, you're not on the half pipe. No, I wish I could, but you know, I'm going to break myself immediately. So being from Northern Japan, did that, did that hobby start in Japan then? Yes. So I did ski first, grew up in a kind of area, I did ski from six years old to 18.  Because the school P.E. was skiing during the winter where I grew up, so I did that. 

But, I didn't start snowboarding until I became adult. Yeah, so I did. Then, I stopped doing it since, when I left Japan maybe 19 years ago almost. And then, now, you know, we have two boys. They're, you know, getting older, so. I just wanted to teach them how to, you know, just get started. Yeah. Yeah. So then you got back into it?  Yeah. So that's how I got into snowboarding again. Neat. 

So I'm curious, like snowboarding is, is a big part of your life and quilting is a big part of your life. Do you find any similarities or connections between them? Like I  think, I thought that was totally different. Like, because quilting is, you know, work, you know, something I love to do. And I, I can think of something about quilting 24 hours, but snowboarding is like, like a make my mind free from those, you know, thinking about the quilting all the time. So kind of refresh my mind. 

But at the same time, when I taught boys, at the time, 9 and 11 years old, So, you know, that was kind of taught me something, it's kind of relating the quilting, because teaching wise, because two kids, different skill levels, different way of learning, and then speeding, like learning, speeding is so different, so sometimes like it was test, like for my patience. 

Yeah, so that's something I learned, teaching boys, you know, the snowboarding, because, teach, now I, you know, teach quilting to the students. You know, everyone has different mindset, learning speed is different, working speed is different, there's different backgrounds. So, that taught me something through the snowboarding. 

Okay. No, that's interesting. So like, not a direct connection, but it serves as a way to refresh and clear your mind so you can kind of approach quilting with a, you know, fresh perspective. But also now that you're teaching, it did give, it has kind of, given you some different perspectives for different skill levels, which brings me to another question, actually. So we were talking about your just your pattern design influence your most recent pattern. Do you typically design for a certain skill level, or do you release patterns? For, for different skill levels, like one pattern might be beginner, one pattern might be intermediate. Do you have a skill level in mind when you design? 

Most of my patterns are for like advanced beginners or confident beginners. Okay. Yeah. The quilters, not  just started, but maybe they made quilt two or three by themselves. So. Maybe they want to do something more, something more, like, not complicated, but you know, more work to do. But that's the kind of my target audience.

Yeah, but also the, any skill level of, you know, quilters can hopefully enjoy.  Yeah, no, absolutely. Cause when you're looking at usually not beginner, beginner patterns, although sometimes advanced quilters will grab those for baby gifts, things like that. Right. When they need something, something that will, will be finished quickly.

But yeah, advanced beginner. We'll apply to, to a lot of different skill levels, a beginner, it would be the next step for them to go to. And then people that, that have more experience still reach for those projects all the time. 

All right. So that brings me to my last question or feature in the podcast. And this is something that I plan to do with each guest. And that is a learned Japanese component. So this could be a word, it could be a definition of a Japanese craft, for some of the interviews. It could be a phrase or a mentality, you know, that comes from Japanese, that influences your work. Or it could even be a regional word that might be unique to, to where you're from in Japan. 

So I can say in Japanese, correct? Yes, please, please. This is a phrase called like Nanakorobi yaoki. Oh my gosh, I love that one. I love that one. Yes. Tell us what it means. Yes. So, it means fall seven times, stand up eight. So, even though I fell seven times, try eight times. Maybe next time will be better or successful. So, you know, don't give up.  

Yeah. No, I love that phrase. So yeah, I'm happy you brought it up. Cause, yeah, it's like a Western version of don't give up, keep trying, right. You may be defeated, but you don't know when the next success will be. Yeah. Yeah, well, thank you so much for sharing that.

I'm thrilled to have had you here to learn more about your work. And before we wrap up, I will be adding this to the show notes, but if you could just verbally tell my audience where they can find you online. My website will be, www.satomiquilts.com and also you can find me on Instagram, satomi_quilts. Yes. That's it. 

All right. Wonderful. Well, thank you so, so much for your time and I look forward to seeing what you have ahead in your pattern releases. Thank you so much for having me. 

Thank you for joining me today on Creative Japan. If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to subscribe to stay updated on future releases. 

Leaving a positive review also helps me to reach more listeners like you and to interview more fantastic guests. For more information about today's guest, check out the show notes of the episode. 

And for behind the scenes content and updates, follow me on Instagram @emiandkostudio or visit my website at emiandkostudio.com. Until next time, stay curious and keep searching for inspiration.