naniIRO textile 2016 vol.3

Dreaming of a rustic beauty of the Japanese colors and textiles

naniIRO special Vol. 3 is here. This time, three designs, ori-some, Bed-Grass—— Cozy and Beautiful life are featured.

ori-some　JG-10330 (Cotton 100%) JG-10331 Linen Thick Count (Linen 100%)

Weaving and dying. Thinking of these processes that generate the rustic beauty of the Japanese colors and textiles from olden days, each color I found is layered over the gauze and linen, picturing the comfort that it brings.
You may notice a gradation of watercolors that is slightly present on the base.

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Furoshiki Bag with a Piecework　

Size: about 25cm (l) about 40cm (w – opening) (Bottom) about 25cm

This is a patchwork bag created by sewing fabric pieces together. The featured fabric is wanderlust designed by an American quilt artist, Thomas Knauer. The design is a combination of flower motif and bee motif. Since the piecework only requires the sewing of four large squares, it is easy enough for patchwork beginners. “This bag idea came from the Furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth). So it will go well with Kimono and Yukata as a sub bag,” says the creator, Anriko. The key to make it nice and clean is precise cutting and careful ironing. Hope you will enjoy making this.

Design & Work: Anriko

Fabric shown for this sample:　Patchwork fabric A: wanderlust JG50600-601 (C)
Patchwork fabric B: wanderlust JG50600-602 (A)
Bag lining fabric, handle: wanderlust JG50600-602 (B)

材料：
□ Fabric: (Patchwork fabric A) 90cm×20cm
　　　　 (Patchwork fabric B) 80cm×20cm
　　　　 (Bag lining fabric, handle) 60cm×50cm
□ Fusible interfacing: 10cm×15cm

We interviewed Anriko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
After hearing that the motifs of this fabric were inspired by a an American quilt artist of his trip to London, my thoughts followed this path – London → Antique market → Vintage.
The grayish color tone led me to the idea of piecing old fabrics together.

Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
This bag was inspired by the Furoshiki bag, and I created a three dimensional shape by using squares. A square piece is made up of piecing together large individual squares, so it can easily be handled by people who are not familiar with the piecework (including myself).

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
By cutting the fabric precisely and carefully ironing, it will definitely make the process easier and create an ideal piece.

KF:How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
It is perfect as an everyday bag. In addition, as a sub bag, it will be a stylish addition to your kimono ensemble since the original idea comes from another Japanese element, Furoshiki.

KF:Thank you very much, Anriko! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!

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Semi Circular Skirt　

Size: Skirt length 67cm

This skirt features the FABRIC CARAVAN BY YURTAO created by textile designer, Momoko Kinoshita. It has a beautiful silhouette of a circular skirt with a daring use of the biased placement of KUKI TO TANE, a fabric that describes the stalks growing up in a straight fashion. The charm of this skirt is its flexibility, since it caters to both casual or classy styling depending on the coordination.

Design & Work:Anriko

Fabric shown for this sample:　FABRIC CARAVAN BY YURTAO JG50720-1 (B)

Materials:
□ Fabric: 110cm wide × 2m
□ Elastic Tape: Waist measurement (3cm wide)

We interviewed Anriko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
This cotton linen canvas has the right thickness and is very easy to handle. The thickness relates to the tension of the fabric and it helps to create fluffiness without an underskirt.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
The basic design motif is a stripe, yet the circular skirt adds movement to this design. With more biased areas, it is easier to create a beautiful flair even with this type of non-drapery fabric and it elevates an elastic waist skirt like this up a notch.

KF: What are some tips for making this skirt?
The size is set for a standard Medium to Large, and it is easy to adjust. For reference, reduce the radius of the waist line on the pattern from 33cm to 31cm-32cm for a small size. The elastic waist will require at least the size of your hip to pass through.

KF: How should we use this skirt in everyday situations?
A circular skirt has a more mature shape than a flair or gathered skirt. Even a simple classy coordination will create a stylish look. On the other hand, a casual style with a simple cut and sew shirts or a hoodie will be cute. Why not get yourself in a mood for spring by wearing this skirt?

KF: Thank you very much, Anriko! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting!

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naniIRO textile 2016 vol.2

A piece that delivers happiness in a quiet manner. Any part of the fabric has such presence like a piece of abstract painting.

Following the feature from last week, it is naniIRO special vol. 2. Two designs, KOMOREBI/// and Five senses are introduced.

KOMOREBI ///　JG10350 Double Gauze (Cotton 100%)

Komorebi, the light filtering through the trees, is like a wind in rainbow color. Or could it be a breeze that delivers an aroma?
It creates a comfort that takes you back to that day down the memory lane.
The light is dancing and the flowers are starting to sing merrily.
It is a piece that brings you such gentle and quiet happiness.

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Sas and Yosh(artists/illustrators）

A joyful textile collection from a powerful design duo

This spring we feature Sas and Yosh Textile in our textile story column. These textiles are created by Sarah Bellisario and Yoshie Allan, a collaborative design team.
‘Sas and Yosh’ started their brand from 2014. Since then, they have created a wide range of items such as textiles, stationery and wallpapers which make our life cheerful and colorful.
The energetic duo just like their creation talk about their product story and daily life.

Kokka-fabric.com (KF): How did you get to know each other?

In 2011, Yosh moved to Hitchin from Japan with her British husband and their son. After their daughter was born, she started her career as an illustrator in the UK. A little while after Yosh’s son started his primary school, Sas and Yosh’s mutual friend introduced them as Sas was also illustrator and a mum of daughter at another primary school. Who imagined Sas and Yosh would be born so soon after we first met!

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