Monthly Archives: April 2016

Five Star Bag made of machine pieced patchwork

Size: 17.5cm (l) x 22.5cm (w) x 7.5cm (d)

The fun of making a patchwork is to come up with fabric and design combinations. The featured project is a bag made of machine pieced patchwork. Irome, a series of fabrics that were first introduced for patchwork and quilting, is used for the piece work. For the outer fabric, feel free to choose any solid color you like such as white or pink, depending on the color and patterns of the patchwork pieces.

Design & Work:Kokka Fabric


Fabric shown for this sample:
 Irome


Materials:
□ Fabric:
(Outer fabric) Solid (pink) 110cm wide × 80cm
Pre-cut patchwork fabric about 12 different designs
(Backing fabric) Solid 110cm wide x 30cm
□ Quilt batting 100cm× 30cm
□ Fusible interfacing (light thickness): 100cm x 25cm
□ Zipper 30cm x 1
□ Waxed cord 15cm (for zipper decoration)
□ Polyfill: small amount

cs146_fivestar_bag

Click here for Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)
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Trefle Cucito

Double gauze for grown-ups in understated color tones

Soft and superabsorbent double gauze material is popular for making children’s clothing and face masks. Trefle Cucito was created with the hope that grown-ups will choose this soft double gauze fabric to enjoy its texture to make clothing. The flowers and butterfly motifs are finished in chic designs with understated color tones.

Butterfly H11200-200 Double Gauze
H11200-200_1H11200-200_2

The polka dot designs are lined up in a rhythmic nature. The butterflies are hidden here and there among the double dots. Mustard color and blue fabric slightly remind you of Scandinavia. With this fabric, you can create a unique piece of clothing.

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Pullover

Size: Shirt length 50cm

This is the second clothing project made from echino’s 2016 collection. The fabric used is flag. The dynamic design with fluttering flags will lift up your spirits. A bright combination of blue and yellow creates a stylish Scandinavian feel. Coordinating it with a skirt or pants in bright white will bring out the colors and design. It also looks good with a long sleeve T-shirt or a turtleneck.

Design & Work:Yuka Yonekura(Francesca*amam label)


Fabric shown for this sample:
 echino flag JG96400-401 (C)


Materials:
□ Fabric: 110cm wide x 155cm

cs145_pullover

Click here for Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)
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wanderlust

Themed after the memories of a trip

Have you ever heard of the word, wanderlust? The word is rooted in wander and lust in German, which most likely means one’s desire to travel. A famous Edo-period Haiku poet, Matsuo Basho once wrote in his Narrow Road to the Interior, “Beckoned by the guardian spirits of the road, I am too anxious to settle down,” expressing an urgent desire to go on a journey, and wanderlust must express a similar feeling.

This wanderlust is a fabric series created by an American designer, Thomas Knauer. While the destination was not Tohoku like Basho, the memories from Knauer’s trip to England with his daughter were the theme of this design. A quilt artist and author of a book on modern quilting, Knauer carefully thought out the designs and color combinations of the wanderlust for modern quilting, allowing any color to match with each other. The fabric is highly recommended for making items like a bag and a pillow. This material will turn even an easy patchwork piece into something very stylish.

fluttery JG50600-600 Broadcloth|Cotton 100%
kokka-fabric.com JG50600-600_1kokka-fabric.com JG50600-600_2

A lily crest with a slightly edgy look is softened by the placement of the butterflies within. A solid shaped bag created with this tasteful design will be great for a nice outing.

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Tuck Skirt

Size: Skirt length 65.5cm

This skirt is made with the wandervogel fabric from echino’s 2016 collection. While tactfully featuring the graphical motif, a touch of softness is added by tucking the waistline. The skirt’s glamorous design stands out when combined with a single color top. It creates a very impressive fashion statement!

Design & Work:Yuka Yonekura(Francesca*amam label)


Fabric shown for this sample: echino wandervogel JG96400-400 (A)


Materials:
□ Fabric: 110cm wide x 140cm
□ Fabric (Black): 110cm x 10cm
□ Elastic tape (15mm wide): about 57cm

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We interviewed Yuka about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
The biggest charm of this fabric is a beautiful pattern with an impact. The moment I saw it, I decided to make a skirt.

KF:Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
I tried to incorporate the fabric’s good thickness and gathering. It is not a see-through fabric, so it was perfect for tucking. The width of the tuck is coordinated in such a way to make the process easy. The fabric’s bold design helps the tuck look beautiful at this width.

KF:What are some tips for making this skirt?
Baste the tucks first. This will make the following process much easier.

KF:How should we wear this skirt in everyday situations?
I hope you will coordinate it with this season’s trendy top, a turtleneck shirt. It goes well with a pair of boots and fur, allowing you to enjoy it as the fall and winter wardrobe.

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

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