Monthly Archives: February 2014

2014 echino Collection

Incorporating geometric designs

Echino’s 2014 new designs are finally here! The collection is accented with many geometric designs with triangles, hexagons and polka dots. With graphic patterns added as design motifs and backgrounds, the cuteness of echino is enhanced with a little bit of hipness.

hide　JG95900-900 Cotton canvas

The “ecninolike” animals such as a tiger, deer and owl are seen in and out of the forest. While the design depicts an image of “a piece of painting”, such design elements like polka dots and stripes are drawn into the artwork. A bag created from the hide fabric looks as if it was made from a patchworked material. It brings out a fun element of this fabric.

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A girly drawstring pouch with Kokeshi doll fabric

“Hmm, I’ve seen it somewhere before…” If you think so, you are quite right! This Kokeshi doll fabric has appeared in our Craft & Sewing column with a sewing tutorial for a bamboo handle bag. Yumi Kanaya, who shared how to sew the bag, also made this drawstring pouch with the same fabric. Sewn together with pink gingham fabric and black Torchon lace. As Kanaya did for the bamboo handle bag, the drawstring pouch turned out lovely.

Kanaya says, “The pouch was made with the leftover fabric from the sewn bag for your column. I made it Nordic and girlish in appearance.” Since the small pouch is very effective in standing each doll out, you can enjoy seeing each face and dress.

The crafter produces fabric accessories from her brand named “Y*RT2 HANDMADE”. Her basic concept of creation is “something nostalgic, girlish, and heartwarming which only handmade can create.” Kanaya makes mostly fabric bags, and she decorates almost every production with beautiful cross-stitch embroidery. Going to Kanaya’s website, you can see a variety of her creation including a bucket bag and cylinder or Tawara*) shaped purse. The site urges your creative enthusiasm to let you say “I want to make it!”

Kanaya’s newly produced bags, including a shoulder bag with elaborate embroidery, exhibited at “Keihanshin Zakka Marche” at Hanshin Department Store Umeda Main Building in Osaka. According to her, the event was full of craft lovers.

For Yumi Kanaya’s website, go to http://www.yrt2.com

*) Tawara is the Japanese traditional straw bale that was used for storing and transporting rice.

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Heartwarming little houses

It is still as cold as ever. Following last week’s column on the knitted stuff, today I am featuring heartwarming miniature products.

The ceramist Yuko Kitahara created the little houses in the picture. She has produced pottery ornaments and accessories in the motif of familiar things such as house, church or bird. All are small enough to fit in your hand. Can you believe the white-walled house on the left in the picture is just 1cm wide and 3cm high?

Kitahara says, “My little houses are inspired by the stone-built castles and cottages as seen in medieval European paintings. I should be careful throughout all steps of the production process to depict old textured walls and indescribable coloration of roofs.”

Kitahara’s various little houses are displayed in solo and group exhibitions several times a year, some of which are: a farmhouse with gable roof, a honey-colored house in Provence region in France, or a castle with tower. It’s easy to lose track of time viewing those fascinating houses in different colors and styles.

If you are afraid that making pottery is too difficult, shopping for pottery at craft shows may be one of the ways you enjoy it. By putting a little pottery item on the shelf near the front door, you can make a welcoming atmosphere in the entrance hall. Add flowers or plants, and it will become a lovely interior decoration. How about pairing the pottery with sewn fabric items such as pincushion, drink coaster or yo-yo quilt to create a new synergy? Thus, pottery is a versatile product to make your living space more expressive and joyful.

The handcrafted item, even though it is little, will always warm your heart and your life. Please enjoy this cold weather with your heartwarming creations.

For Yuko Kitahara’s blog, go to http://buuchanday.exblog.jp

Grandrelle Yarn Knit Fabric

A perfect choice for a kid’s hoodie or sarouel pants

The slightly thicker knit fabric is stretchy and perfect for a kid’s hoodie or a pair of sarouel pants. A single color print design lies over a mixed gray color background. This color combination is not too loud and easy to coordinate with other fashion items. Star and pop designs have matching tones and make it easier to coordinate two different designs. You can come up with creative combinations by using the pop design for the main body and the star design for pockets. A kid’s leggings under a denim skirt is a cute idea for this fabric.

Star P25400 400 Grandrelle yarn knit

A single color star design with a hand drawn touch is easy to coordinate. For the cold season, you may want to make a cap or a muffler by combining different winter materials such as denim or raised fabric.

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A toy chest

A fabric filled with cute things, just like a toy chest

The first fabric we are introducing in 2014 is “A toy chest”. As its name depicts, the design represents cute and fun things like a box of toys. An illustrator, Eri Tasaka, created a collection of exciting motifs such as music and travel, adding a lovely touch to the design. Animals and vehicles are drawn with a touch of crayon strokes. With such cuteness, this fabric is perfect for making items for a new school year or matching bags for mom and child. A large size design motif will create a beautiful framed artwork for a child’s room.

Travel print　　JG-36500-500 Oxford (Ox)

Fun road trip scenes with your dog, loaded with lots of luggage are portrayed. As the design covers the entire fabric, it is perfect for making a bag. The use of green and blue may be suitable for boys’ new school year items such as school bags and shoe bags.

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