Monthly Archives: August 2014

Accessory Case

Size: About 9cm (W), About 15cm (L) (when open) About 5cm (when closed)

A palm size small accessory case is today’s project. Mioko Sugino, a popular hand craft artist, aka the famous blogger komihinata, is introducing a cute case using the colors of Irome, a fabric inspired by the Japanese four seasons.

Design & work：Mioko Sugino (komihinata)

Fabric shown for this sample:　Irome HFG-101（a)

Materials:
□ Fabric: (Outer fabric – top, Loop) 10cm×15cm
(Outer fabric – bottom) 10cm×10cm
(Lining fabric) 10cm×20cm
(Pocket) 10cm×10cm
(Cord) 5cm×20cm
(Embellishment for cord) 5cm×5cm
□ Fusible quilt batting: 10cm×20cm
□ Snap: One set (0.7cm diameter)

We interviewed Mioko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Mioko Sugino (MS): With small prints, it is a perfect fabric for making something small! It was so much fun to come up with fabric combinations as any Irome would work with each other. Even a small part uses the Irome.
　　　
KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
MS: I used a layered flap, instead of a zipper, to keep items inside from falling out. While the catch for the closing is made with fabric, it is secure. Quilt batting can protect the accessories and make a solid case even with a thinner fabric.

KF: What are some tips for making this case?
MS: For a delicate look, the cord attached on the exterior is very thin. If you find it difficult to sew, you may widen it or use a ribbon instead.

KF: How should we use this case in everyday situations?
MS: With the same fabric, you can make a stylish cosmetic case or scrunchy. Matching items may draw attention from your friends♪

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

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Joielinne Autumn

Sewing matching items for the whole family♩

Continued from our initial introduction back in March 2014, the Joielinne’s new design has arrived. The name, Joielinne, is a French coined word meaning thrilling and exciting. This fabric is perfect for creating items that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family – Why not make a skirt for a mom and a dress for a child?

Random Stripe　P30400-400 40 Double Gauze

On this print fabric, various flowers and leaves are patchworked in a stripe. Did you notice the hiding acorns in the design? What is nice about this soft and airy 40 double gauze fabric is that it creates a very fluffy look with drapes and gathering. Colorful yet calm color tones remind you of the first sign of fall.
Why not go out for “finding a hint of fall” wearing this fall-like fabric filled with acorns and leaves.

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Inspiration file51
A black and white “Alice” crossbody bag

“Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland” is one of the more popular creation themes among handicraft artists. Do you remember that we once featured the fabric collections named “nunokara x Etsuko Furuya ~ Alice in Wonderland” in our Textile Story column? The collection, which is great for apparel or bags, has been preferred by many creators for their sewing projects because of its bilateral look of a girly sweetness and a grown-up taste.

A popular craft blogger Yuki Inomata a.k.a. neige+, is one of those who enjoys creating various items with the fabric collection. The crossbody bag in the above picture is what Inomata recently made as requested by her tween daughter who had liked the “Alice” print. Sewn with leather, this bag is not childish anymore.

“I used a dark brown faux leather to make the bag look better in appearance. I tried but failed to topstitch (to achieve a professional look) on the leather flap. It was not easy to sew parallel to a seam on the right side of the leather. But I still flatter myself that I did my best.” Inomata says with a smile.

The faux leather is a user-friendly material that can be sewn on the domestic sewing machine. “Faux leather is a pile fabric with a nonwoven backing. This feature does not cause you any difficulty in sewing faux leather and cotton fabric together. However, it was really difficult for me to stitch on the right side of one faux leather layered over another (faux) leather. Hopefully I will find a solution through trial and error.” (by Inomata)

As well as the leather, the antique brass thumb catch on the flap creates a mature impression. According to Inomata, the thumb catch is her favorite item to sew on when making a wallet. She continues, “Last January, I took my daughter to a quilt show. When she saw an accordion wallet bag at the site, she told me she really liked it. Since creating an accordion bag was too challenging for me, I decided to make this standard bag that I was familiar with.”

To add cuteness to the bag, she used a lace ribbon. “I just sewed a lace ribbon on the acrylic webbing for the shoulder strap. Then it became remarkably lovely!” (by Inomata)

Moreover, Inomata was particular about its size so that even adult can use this crossbody bag. She proudly explains, “The greatest appeal of this bag is that it completely accommodates a long wallet. Don’t you have an experience that you chose to buy a bag by its appearance, but actually it was too small to put your long or even folded wallet in? Recalling my own experience and my daughter’s original order for an accordion wallet bag, I kept an enough width for the bag to contain a long wallet.”

This bag abounds in her ingenuity. Surprisingly there is a hidden zipper pocket in the lining of the bag. The red “Rabbit” dot print from the same fabric collection is used for the pocket. A breathtakingly bright red color shows up when the pocket is unzipped. Aren’t you curious about how the inside of the bag is? Click HERE for details about this “Alice” crossbody bag.

You can get more information about Inomata’s creative activity at http://yunyuns.exblog.jp

pokefasu ×　KOKKA

A fun world filled with silly jokes, graffiti and pranks!

This week we are introducing a collaborative work with pokefasu, a fun brand designed by Junichi Chiba of kiip.

“The name, pokefasu, was the result of a slip of the pen. It was meant to be “poker face.” So, we are always trying to come up with a silly product that stops you from having a poker face.” (by Chiba)
pokefasu are extremely popular with products such as embroidered broaches and stuffed animals full of characters’ unique expressions and gestures. This fabric collaboration explodes with pokefasu world, a product of Chiba’s wild imaginations! “With this fabric, I want people to be playful when sewing – using the hidden character in a conspicuous location or use it in a hidden place like inside the small case. This way it will make you feel more attached to your handmade creations. Or you could be totally spontaneous and just be fun. Just cut the fabric and see what you can do. The edges are designed with cheerful elements. So be creative and make something with it. Just like a monkfish, a fish that has nothing to waste, I want everyone to cook with the pokefasu fabric. I am just joking, but this is definitely the fabric for everyone’s fun sewing moments.”

Hunting Cats 　JG・JGQ45000-1 Cotton linen canvas (JG) Quilted fabric (JGQ)

This fabric is filled with a variety of pokefasu characters that cover the fabric entirely. It almost looks like a single piece of art with a bizarre story.
“In the pokefasu forest, possibly because of global warming, they had a rich harvest of poke fruit this year. Everybody is out to gather the harvest. Hearing the news, mean looking cats from the neighboring villages are invading our forest from the sky. (For whatever reason, bagworm-looking dogs are appearing here and there). Villagers with poor climbing skills only get to pick the ones fallen on the ground. The cats are up in the tree, grabbing as much fruit as they want. But we wonder how the cats will take their yield home. Nobody knows. With villagers on the ground, they cannot walk home….” (by Chiba)
Incorporating the fun element of a single-piece print, you may find it interesting to make an apron or use it as a fabric panel.

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Tiny Animal

A perfect fabric for small goods – filled with tiny animal designs

Owls, hedgehogs, bulldogs…..these popular animal motifs fill this small print fabric. Etching-like illustrations make this animal-themed fabric attractive without being too cute. Perfect for making stylish cosmetic cases or pouches with a metal clasp. Even a mature woman may want to secretly keep these items made from this fabric in her purse.

Pöllö 　P29700-700 Cotton/Linen Canvas　

An owl, a bird that is said to bring happiness, is a very popular Kokka fabric motif. A solid feel cotton linen canvas is suitable for making everyday items such as small cases or lunch box (bento) carriers.

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