The featured project is a tote bag using echino’s silver metallic fabric piece created by a popular blogger and handcraft artist, Yuki Inomata, aka neige+. The fabric’s design consists of geometric block pieces that are tied together. An easy-to-make process only requires simple cutting, allowing you to cut the fabric along the block pieces without measuring. The tuck at the opening also takes advantage of the pieced blocks. The front side features all metallic with a mustard yellow inside as an accent peeking from the front. “Charcoal gray goes well with any color, so it might be nice to pair it with slightly bright colors like pink or blue.” (by Inomata)
Fabric shown for this sample: echino JG96500-500 (C)
Materials:
□ Fabric (Bag outer fabric, handle): 110cm wide x 80cm
(Bag lining fabric): 60cm x 80cm
We interviewed Yuki about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
When I saw this fabric with block designs, the idea for making an easy tuck tote that doesn’t require measuring came to mind. The actual size of the blocks was bigger than I thought, so the bag became larger. What is nice about this is that you can just use the blocks to determine the sizes, especially the handles, without having to measure the fabrics. The canvas fabric with a tension gives appropriate feel of the material even if it’s used in a single layer. The silver metallic and charcoal combination generates a mature look, making it a fun versatile material to be used for an everyday item as well as for a fashion piece.
KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
Since the size of the blocks led to the size of the bag getting bigger, I got creative to balance the look of the bag by adjusting the length and width of the handle and the size of the bottom. The bottom gusset is rounder, slightly different from the conventional T style gusset. This way, it elevates the look of the bag up a notch from a tote bag with a handmade feel.
KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
This canvas with a tension is easy to sew on any type of sewing machine. As some of the parts add thickness, like a handle, I recommend using the #14 needle.
KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
For this project, I used mustard yellow for the lining. Since charcoal gray goes well with any color, you may want to be fun and adventurous by paring it with your favorite and slightly brighter colors like pink or blue. These colors, though only peeks out slightly when carrying around, will lift your spirits up. I think this bag has a design that works well with a casual styling as well as with a mature work outfit.
KF: Thank you very much, Yuki! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!
Instructions
1.
Cut the fabrics.
2.
Fold the handles in four. Sew both long sides at 2mm and 4mm from the edge. Make two pieces.
3.
Put match marks. Since the tucks will be placed along the block, mark the center of the block and make a notch.
4.
Leaving the center block, match the folded edge to the center of the blocks on both sides. Baste at 5mm.
5.
Sew both sides and make the bottom gusset.
6.
Turn it inside out. Align the handle with the block in the center and baste at 5mm (outer bag is completed).
7.
Put match marks on the lining fabric based on the blocks of the outer bag.
8.
Baste the tucks, just like the outer bag.
9.
Sew both sides, leaving an 8cm opening for turning on one side. Sew the bottom gusset.
10.
Place the outer bag inside the lining bag with the front sides facing each other. Sew the opening at 1cm from the edge.
11.
Turn it inside out and run two stitch lines at the opening.
12.
Fold the handles for 10cm and run stitches in a rectangular shape to finish the details. This portion goes over the shoulder.
13.
Close the opening for turning to finish.
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