Monthly Archives: October 2015

Nordic Animal  

Animal print fabric perfect for bag making

Nordic Animals features Scandinavian-inspired animal designs, reflecting the popularity of Scandinavian taste incorporated in the items sold at knick knack stores. The animals – owls, elephants and polar bears – are mature-looking yet cute. These not so fancy motifs are simply placed together in line. Relatively large designs are featured on cotton linen material. A big-sized bag made in this fabric will have a great impact.

Big Owl P38400-400 Cotton Linen Canvas
kokka-fabric.com P38400-400_1kokka-fabric.com P38400-400_2

The motif is an owl that looks like a Scandinavian wooden toy. Each color combination is filled with natural tones. By simply using a piece of fabric, an item like a large tote bag will enhance the look of these motifs.

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PIKKU SAARI

 

Breeze of Finland expressed in a textile form

Helsinki-based Eri Shimatsuka’s textile is here. The name of the series, PIKKU SAARI, means a small island in Finnish. The ocean surrounding Helsinki is filled with numerous small islands. The design was inspired from such scenery of oceanside living and expressed in the form of a textile.

SAARISTO JG50400-1 Cotton Linen Canvas
JG50400-1_1JG50400-1_2

SAARISTO means a group of islands in Finnish. The design features an islandscape that floats here and there in a sea of sparkling water. A simple and abstract design in solid cotton linen fabric will be perfect as a textile for interior décor.

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Tote Bag with Scrnched Handles

Size: 23cm (l) 39cm (w – at the top) 25cm (w – at the bottom) 14cm (d)

Helsinki-based Eri Shimatsuka’s textile, PIKKU SAARI is the material featured for this tote bag. A simple bag is enhanced with scrunched handles. Kanae Nakayama, known for her popular blog, “Hanabana Tanoshii Hi” is here to introduce her creation.

Design & Work: Kanae Nakayama


Fabric shown for this sample: PIKKU SAARI JG50410-1 (A)


Materials:
□ Fabric (Bag Outer Fabric, Pocket Outer Fabric): 100cm×40cm
    (Bag Lining Fabric):90cm×40cm
    (Handle Outer Fabric, Pocket Lining Fabric): 40cm×50cm
    (Handle Lining Fabric): 20cm×50cm
□ Fusible Quilt Batting: 90cm×40cm
□ Sashiko Embroidery Thread

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We interviewed Kanae about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
I fell in love with this fabric when I saw it at the collection show. The design is fun and filled with a Scandinavian feel. I thought of making an item to show off as much of this fabric as possible without adding a transition fabric.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
The bag itself is simple and I added playfulness to the handles. Deep pink and chartreuse color that peeks out on the back are linked to the color of the main bag fabric. The inside pocket also has a deep pink accent slightly peeking over the main bag fabric.

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KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
The design is simple so it should be easy to make. Your patience may be tested when making the scrunched handle, but it is not difficult.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
With an ample gusset at 14cm, you can carry a lot of things in this bag. The handles are just long enough to hold the bag over the shoulder. You may like to carry this bag as if it were a large accessory.

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

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Quilt Lesson Bag

Size: 32cm (l) 43cm (w) (excluding handles)

Monochrome, a simple fabric that can be enjoyed for everyday use, is featured for this lesson bag project. The combination of fabrics, ribbon pattern for the outer bag and flower design for handles, transition and pocket, add a little spice to the look.

Design & Work:Kokka Fabric


Fabric shown for this sample:
 
 (Outer Fabric B,C,D)P38500-502 (C) (Outer Fabric A) P38500-501(C)


Materials:
Outer Fabric A (Outer bag fabric) 40cm x 110cm wide or over
Outer Fabric B (Transition fabric) 50cm x 110cm wide or over
Outer Fabric C (Handle) 35cm x 110cm wide or over
Outer Fabric D (Pocket) 20cm x 110cm wide or over
Fusible Quilt Batting 60cm x 95cm wide or over

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Click here for Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)
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Dolman Sleeve Dress

Size: Length in the back 85.5cm

The sewing opportunities with echino seem to be broadly expanding with the addition of a knit jacquard to its signature line of cotton linen canvas series. Soft and stretchy knit is not overly casual and can create clothing with a chic and soft feel. Anriko came up with a piece that perfectly fits this description. The design of this dress fully utilizes the fabric’s 75cm width, maximizing its beauty without separating the pattern.

Design & Work: Anriko


Fabric shown for this sample: echino JG96201-201(C)


Materials:
□ Fabric: 75cm wide x 2.5m
□ Fusible interfacing: 1 pair (1.8cm diameter)
□ Thread and Needle for knit sewing

cs125_dolmansleeveOP

We interviewed Anriko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
It has a relative thickness with low tension, making it easier to handle for those who are not used to knit sewing. I designed something suitable for this material, a slim style simple one-piece dress.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
The width of the fabric is unconventional at 75cm, and gave me the impression that the design was compactly organized within this dimension. I chose to style it with dolman sleeves so that you can fully incorporate the design from one end to the other, without cutting into parts. To avoid making it look too busy, the sleeve and decorative pocket have matching patterns.

KF: What are some tips for making this dress?
Please use a thread specifically for knit sewing. The edge of the fabric does not fray easily, so you can substitute serging with zigzag stitches.

KF: How should we use this dress in everyday situations?
Thinking to be worn with a pair of leggings, the style is slim with short length. Depending on how you coordinate with accessories, it can also be a stylish dress for an outing with a pair of tights.

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

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