After stitching that wavy rainbow path and textured quilting in 33 Steps Table Runner by Jennifer Houlden, last week, let us slow the pace and step into a quiet garden with My Japanese Garden Wall Art by Heather McArthur.
This project feels like a story you can stitch. When Heather McArthur was a girl, her family hosted a Japanese high school student named Ako, and years later Heather still treasures the yukata Ako gave her. My Japanese Garden Wall Art was inspired by that gifted yukata, and Issue 61 gave Heather the perfect reason to finally cut into that beautiful fabric.
skill level Easy
time A cozy weekend project, especially if you give yourself time to enjoy the quilting details
ideal for Quilters who love meaningful makes, Japanese-inspired design, and wall art that brings calm to a room
you will practice hexagon block layout, sashiko style flowers, quilting a wall art piece, working with special fabrics with confidence
finished size Approximately 28” x 18” [71 x 46cm], and your final size may vary depending on how you lay out your blocks
My Japanese Garden Wall Art by Heather McArthur for ANPTmag Issue 61; photo by Heather McArthur for ANPTmag
This pattern was featured in Issue 61, our tilework-inspired issue, where everyday tiles and extraordinary tile designs spark ideas across needle arts. In the quilting projects in issue 61, you’ll see techniques such as appliqué, free-motion quilting, half-square triangles, and machine embroidery interpreted through a tilework lens.
Here’s the project description from the pattern page. Heather uses the hexagon shape for the blocks because it reminds her of paving tiles in a Japanese garden, and the sashiko flowers float like lilies in a koi pond. The pattern includes instructions, photos, and a flower template, along with Heather’s article, “Quilting with Japanese Fabrics: What You Need to Know.”
Get My Japanese Garden Wall Art here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/my-japanese-garden-wall-art/?pp=1
Get Issue 61 in print here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/issue-61-print-version/
Get Issue 61 in digital here
https://www.aneedlepullingthread.com/product/issue-61-digital-version/
A variety of modern and vintage yukata cottons from Heather McArthur’s collection used in making My Japanese Garden Wall Art for ANPTmag Issue 61; photo by Heather McArthur for ANPTmag
What makes this project especially exciting is that it combines memory, design, and texture into a single approachable wall piece. You get to play with layout like tilework, add delicate stitched details, and end up with something that feels personal and peaceful.
Now tell me, if you made this wall art, would you use a treasured fabric you have been saving, or would you pick something new and build your own story around it.
Join me next week to find out which inspiring ANPTmag quilting project I’ll share with you!