Since about three months ago, I’ve been seeing a chiropractor for my back pain, caused by scoliosis. In Japan, teacher, doctor, therapist are called ‘sensei‘, so that is what we called her.
Her office is on the second floor of her house, not very far from our house. My husband, Sidra, and I usually come every Saturday, and Sensei would let Sidra play with her children while my husband stay with me to translate and converse with her.
Sensei suggested to change my mattress and pillow with special ones for people with back problem. They were a bit harder than my fluffy mattress and pillow, but after several nights I got used to them and even felt better sleeping on them than on usual mattress. I also have some exercise to do at home with my husband as helper. If you can see my husband walking towards me every night with some giant green rubber bands on his hand, you might have some kinky thoughts. But actually he was just going to help me with my exercise. He even took it further by taking a home chiropractic course for me, so now I have my own private masseur with twice a week massage session! ♥
I’m really happy with the results! I notice that now I stand straighter and no longer get tired easily. The more important thing is, my back pain has lessened a lot! It really means so much for me, because I was so used to the back pain it almost felt like a part of me.
So I made this bag for sensei. It’s just a small thing, but I want to thank her for making me feel so good. One side of the bag is linen in houndstooth, while the other side is this pretty yellow fabric with flowers pattern from Sevenberry. I made two bags because the fabrics were just enough for two.
I gave one of the bag to sensei yesterday, and she seemed very surprised and happy with it! This morning she sent us photo of the bag with her stuff in it, she said that she went out today and brought the bag with her. Arigatou gozaimasu, sensei! m(_ _)m
PS: I still don’t know what I will do with the other bag, though.
Pattern is my reversible bag.
super!!!
i just finished my first try at this bag. i love it! thanks for the amazing tutorial! it was much easier than the ‘lined charlie bag’ instructions on burdastyle – kind of did a combo of both.
cheers!
I can see why she liked it, everything you make is gorgeous!
Muchísimas gracias por su patrón. Este verano me hice un Reversible Bag gracias a su maravilloso patrón y a sus excelentes instrucciones. ¡Ha sido todo un éxito! Si le apetece ver como quedó el mío colgué fotos en http://www.elbauldeadnaloy.blogspot.com Un abrazo muy fuerte desde España. Yolanda
I love that yellow sevenberry fabric so much! Japanese fabric is always the best. If you don’t mind sharing – could you please tell me where I can buy it online as I am in Australia
PS Your blog is lovely, x
Thank you Marisa!
I always buy fabrics in local store as they’re plenty in Tokyo. I’m sorry that I can’t help you with the information about buying them online. Maybe you can try etsy.com or purlsoho.com, but I really don’t know.
Hey thats one lucky doc ha! The bags are so lovely! Back pains can be awful…..I guess we all have it from sitting long hours on the sewing machine……Yoga is a great remedy…you must try it out…Gosh! thats one talented husband U have ha
I meant to say… Of course she must have been very happy to see your gave her such a beautiful GIFT!
… I love the fabrics you’ve used for IT.
Cheers!
Of course she must have been very happy to see your gave her such a beautiful!
I love the fabrics you’ve used for them.
Happy to hear your husband helps you with your back pain… that is really sweet.
Make the bag available in your Etsy shop! I wold be so happy to buy it!
Oh I just saw the link for the pattern!! Disregard my last comment :). Thanks for sharing the pattern! Now I’m well on my way to my new bag!
Some people feel that the bag is a bit too small (I’m pretty small, so it fits my size), you can enlarge the pattern like Yoshimi did here: http://yoshimitheflyingsquirrel.blogspot.com/2010/08/recycled-reversible-bag.html
She enlarged the bag by 110%
Hello! I love the shape of this bag. It’s much like a bag I was hoping to make to use as my next diaper bag. I’ve never boxed a rounded corner. Is there a trick to that? Would you be willing to share how you do that? If you have time and could send me an email, I’d really appreciate it. If not, I totally understand. Have a lovely day!!
-Katie
What a lucky wife you are! Backpain is awful. I get rid of mine if I make yoga regulary. Too bad, that I was lazy for the last months…
Your bag design is beautiful! I could imagine you would find someone to buy easily…
Ohh The bag is lovely and its so kind of you to give her the bag!I think she will be very happy!!
So glad you are feeling better. I also get regular back pain, but it only lasts a few days at a time. I do know how terrible it can be though.
The bag colour combination is lovely – I am sure the sensei was very happy
I hope you have had it checked because you’re too young to have back pain! But yes, it is indeed terrible
Glad that you like the colour! I think it’s perfect for autumn too
I probably should! Just reading you post makes me think that maybe my shoulder pain can become better too. If it’s not too personal, do you mind me asking which chiropractor you are seeing? If you dun mind emailing me the details. Word of mouth is always the best when it comes to doctors 😛
The only concern I have is that I only have intermediate japanese skills, not sure if i can communicat well enough!!
Back pain is terrible, good to hear it’s getting better! And about that other bag: How about using it yourself? It’s too pretty to just let it hanging there!
They look neat. What’s the little loop for?
Well, they look good there
They’re also good for keychains, bag tags, etc.
What a loving husband you have!! ^^
Not so much back pain but i’ve had shoulder pain accompanying me since very young, i understand how you feel like the pain is just part of you…
I’m happy for you about your progress, I really should do some exercise too but I always have excuses like I’m too busy… 😛
Oh that is too bad! Maybe you should see a chiropractor too, it really helped the pain in my case. So I’m very happy about it!
What a cute bag!
So adorable!! Thanks for sharing the story and pattern!:)