Popular animal motifs are now featured in a Scandinavian style design. Simple drawing touches and color tones on a solid cotton linen canvas material make this fabric perfect for a large bag for an outing.
Giraffe P41500-500 Cotton Linen Canvas
The long-necked giraffe motifs look charming with changing border colors on the body. While it’s very colorful, the simple design makes this a versatile fabric.
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)
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!
Lovely animal prints are here! They are perfect for small goods as well as for children’s clothing. The lined-up charming looking animal design is also suitable for a face mask.
Neko Tokidoki Lion (Cat and Sporadic Lions) P41200-200 Double Gauze Cotton 100%
Though the design appears to only feature lined cats, you will notice lions appearing here and there. Sporadically shown lions look really unique. This fabric will be perfect for a little boy’s shirt.
A mini tote bag is created using an elephant design fabric from Ellen Baker’s new collection, Parallels. It features two tones, and uses a refreshing blue, the same color as the elephant, for the bottom and handles. The blue button in polka dots adds a nice accent. It is a perfect bag for a quick running around or as a lunch tote.
We interviewed Mioko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Looking at the lovely elephant design and bright yellow and blue color combination, I initially thought this fabric would be fun to make something for small children. Then I thought, it is an elephant, it is really stylized, so it may be suitable for a grown-up. I ended up making a small tote that is just right for both kids and adults.
KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
I combined the colors to enhance the pop feel of the pattern. When selecting the color for the combination, pick the color that is used less from the patterned (main) fabric. This way it brings cohesiveness and liveliness.
Both the color and pattern are festive, so I kept the design simple. Small details like the white color showing off of the handle and large buttons create more attention.
KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
It is not overly difficult to make, but you may unexpectedly make a mistake with a gusset. What you thought was a straight line may end up being crooked. When folding the gusset, make sure to align the bottom center and side lines. It is best to turn it inside out first to check, before cutting off the excess gusset fabric.
KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
It is great as a kid’s outing bag or as a grown-up’s lunch tote. It adds a nice accent when carried against a simple outfit, like a white shirt and a pair of denim.
KF: Thank you very much, Mioko! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!
A second series of soft textured double gauze, baby gift is here. Featuring soft pencil touch lines blended with a flair of watercolors, Merry Go Round from the previous series got so popular that the similar soft taste is introduced again with girls’ favorite motifs.
– Dreams in the Wonderland – P42300-300 Double Gauze cotton 100%
Alice-themed fabric is introduced backed by requests from customers. It is full of curious motifs that appear in the Alice in Wonderland stories. Along with the lovely tone of pastel, the Alice-like monotone with red (color D) is great.
Nordic Animal 
kirigami
comfy animals
Tuck Tote with Large Gusset
Travel Tote
Elephant Mini Tote
Trefle Cucito
pastel trefle
animal runway
TOTE Bag with a Mini Pouch
baby gifts – double gauze
Children’s Castle
Sas and Yosh Textile