"If I'm going to make it, I want it to be perfect" — Handmade enthusiast Keiko Kitagawa takes on patchwork in the May issue (released 4/7) of the popular handicraft magazine "COTTON TIME," completing a beautiful tote bag that looks as if it were sold in a shop!

Keiko Kitagawa, whose handicraft posts on X have become a hot topic and whose skill is highly praised, is currently serializing "Keiko Kitagawa's Blissful Handmade" in the bimonthly handicraft magazine "COTTON TIME." In the latest issue, she created a green leaf patchwork tote that shines in early summer.

Keiko Kitagawa challenged by patchwork.

The completed green leaf patchwork tote.

Ms. Kitagawa said, "I had wanted to learn patchwork."

This time, she challenged herself to patchwork, sewing together rectangular fabrics of about 10 cm square with a sewing machine. It involved a lot of detailed work and required patience, but Ms. Kitagawa focused entirely on machine sewing, carefully placing pins and repeatedly checking to prevent misalignment. Two and a half hours later, she completed a beautifully sewn patchwork tote bag that looked as if it belonged on the shelves of a select shop.

As she said, "If I'm going to make it, I want it to be perfect," the finished product showed meticulous care in every detail. In the interview, she mentioned that it would be perfect for carrying printouts for school parent-teacher meetings or as her daughter's lesson bag.

Photography / Emiko Ambi

＜Magazine Overview＞

Magazine Name: "COTTON TIME May Issue"

*Bimonthly Handmade Magazine

Release Date: April 7, 2026

Price: 1500 yen (tax included)

Number of Pages: 90 pages

Publisher: Shufu to Seikatsusha

[Amazon]　https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0GJRZCN9D

【Regarding Image Material】

・Use of images is limited to articles and programs introducing the content of this article. ・When using images, please be sure to include the following credit in your article. ⒸEmiko Ambi