Monthly Archives: April 2014

nunokara×Etsuko Furuya

The world of Alice in Wonderland

nunokara is a fairy tale series of fabric that has appeared several times on Kokka Fabric’s website. Today we are introducing the Alice in Wonderland inspired design created by echino’s designer, Etsuko Furuya. Expressing Furuya’s unique world of design, this 100% cotton series is somewhat unique.

Alice　HFG 100-1　#10 Canvas

“The Alice fabric was first designed with nunokara’s collaboration theme ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in mind. In this story there are many attractive characters besides Alice, who is the protagonist. These various motifs are gently expressed as a silhouette in the images of this story. It is a classic design combined with botanical motifs. This creates both a cute and mature look depending on the color combination or the way you use the fabric.” (by Furuya)
This arabesque design with casually placed Alice and rabbits are suited for making interior décor items such as pillows and small cases.

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Inspiration 44
A snowman with vintage pearls

Just back to the memory of a snowy day in Tokyo.

On the day we had the record snowfall, a lot of pictures related to snow were posted on Facebook and Instagram: a school playground covered with snow, a train stuck in the snow, and even grown-up people enjoying a friendly snowball fight. The picture here is what I was most fascinated by. It is the one posted on Instagram by a jewelry designer Kaori Sato.

Sato commented in her Instagram, “The snow piled up a lot on the balcony of my house and flowerpots were completely under the snow. While digging up one pot, I started playing; shaping snow into a snowman, placing eyes, mouth, arms and the pot for a hat, and then pretending to rescue the snowman from the deep snow. Well, to be honest, I had to rescue the vintage pearls used as his eyes since they were the gift from my friend in Paris and very precious to me.”

With vintage pearl eyes? How stylish the snowman is! His eyes are seemingly uneven, and is it just an optical illusion? Or, is each of the vintage pearls actually unequal in size? Anyway, what an exquisite presentation with gold “merci” necklace!

The ways to have fun vary with the seasons. This Sato’s project made from natural snow was not her regular work but very enjoyable sideline. While the snow on her house’s balcony has all gone, the pot from the snow is now ready for planting spring flowers. And, the vintage pearls which once became snowman’s eyes are now beautiful jewelry by Sato.

For further information about Kaori Sato, go to http://scintillerk.ocnk.net

Joielinne

Creating items that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.

Today’s textile has bright color tones that make you want to use it for springtime’s first project. The name of the series is called Joielinne, a French coined word meaning thrilling and exciting. Created under the theme “Family Outing,” it is a perfect fabric for the season where you want to take off a bulky coat and go out to enjoy fresh air. For dad, mom and children…we hope you enjoy making creations for your entire family.

random hound’s tooth　P-26800-800 Double Gauze

Transformed hounds tooth pattern is randomly placed throughout the fabric. This soft texture double gauze has a refreshing white background combined with calm dark tones. Its fluffy feel is suited for making a dress, pillow case or handkerchief.
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Finlayson 2

A 160cm wide-width fabric that is perfect for interior décor

Continued from our last story, we are again introducing a Finnish textile, Finlayson. With a slightly wider width of 160cm, Finlayson’s fabric is perfect for making interior décor items such as slipcovers and curtains. The two designs we are featuring this week are both 60 Satin. This thin and smooth fabric is suitable for making a garment like the slip dress we introduced in the previous Craft & Sewing column.

KEISARI　design by Sami Vulli, year 2012　JG-43200　60Satin

The name “KEISARI” means “an emperor.” As the name depicts, it has a dynamic design with a peacock nobly and proudly spreading his beautiful tail feathers.

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Inspiration file43
Puffy zip pouches with happy flower print

As you know from the last article, the grand prize for the Third Annual Kokka Textile Competition went to Natsuki Camino who draws illustrations for magazines and advertisements. In addition to Camino’s illustrations, Kokka has many alluring prints designed by illustrators.

eto is one of the illustrators who has created designs for Kokka’s textiles. She produces her original zakka*) items from own brand “etocoto”, under the theme of “enhancing a little more happiness for women’s daily life!” The illustrator mentions that she includes these three elements in her designing artworks; bright color tones, enough cuteness, and stories of tiny little people.

Each of five fabrics designed by eto for Kokka, which were featured in our Textile Story column last October, has a small story and of course contains the three aforementioned elements. (Click here for details on etocoto fabric collection.) In the picture are items eto has sewn by herself using her joyful floral print named “medeta-bana”. The title is “HAPPY FLOWERS ~ puffy pouch with medeta-bana happy flowers”.

eto says, “There are four distinct color schemes in this medeta-bana print; vivid red, green, dark brown, and light spring color. Even if the pattern is the same, it can give a very different impression and image by color. The print is full of motifs such as flowers, hearts, and shamrocks, making you so happy. For these pouches, I picked red and green to cheer you up. The size is perfect to tote your makeup stuff. The branding tab sewn unremarkably into the side seam was made from a navy blue ribbon. The characteristic point of the pouch is the vintage flower button on its body.

A zip pouch with gusset is one of the most popular handmade products as well as the item of practical use. eto continues, “It could be lovely with a ladybug (instead of the flower button). If you use brown or spring-like print, why don’t you have your pouch embellished with lace? In any print or color of fabric, such a simple formed pouch can bring out your originality and creative inspiration.”

eto had a showing of her works made from etocoto fabrics at Niji Gallery in Kichijoji, Tokyo, in mid March. The five different fabrics in etocoto collection, zakka items from her own brand, and even a making kit for this pouch was on sale there, too. It was worth visiting!

For further information about the coming exhibition and her creative activity, please check her blog at http://blog.etocoto.net

*) zakka: originally a Japanese term meaning “many things”, is also used for all the cute little items that improve your home appearance such as household items, stationeries, and accessories.