The featured project is a one-piece dress using Trefle Cucito, a chic design double gauze fabric made for grown-ups. The brooch on the chest is added as an accent so that the design of rhythmically lined up polka dot with butterflies hidden here and there can stand out. It can be worn as a dress or a tunic combined with a T-shirt.

We interviewed KaOrico about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
This gauze material feels soft and is highly absorbent. The broach is added so that the butterfly design will stand out.

Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
It is simple with a tucked transition design in the front.

KF: What are some tips for making this dress?
The gauze fabric tends to fray, so the edges are double folded to prevent the fraying. You may substitute this process with serging or zigzag stitches.

KF: How should we use this dress in everyday situations?
It can be worn as a one-piece dress or it will also look stylish if worn as a tunic with a T-shirt and with a pair of pants.

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

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Today’s project, a lunch bag is perfect for an outing like cherry blossom viewing that will put you in a merry mood. The bag tightly holds a lunch box by tying the box with a triangle fabric, a unique feature that combines the napkin and bag. From Sas and Yoshi’s print collection, Spring explorers is chosen for the project. Just right for this season, it is such a lovely fabric with small butterflies playing in a nostalgic field of plants and flowers.
The creator, Yui Tamaki says, “In order to retain the soft feel of double gauze, the outer fabric has a quilt batting, keeping the interfacing only on the lining fabric.” This bag will definitely become handy for spring picnics as well as an everyday lunch bag.

We interviewed Yui about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Soft texture and gentle and bright color tones are perfect for spring outing. A unique pattern that looks as if it were dyed with artist’s paint blends well with the natural foliage, and it is very stylish. To retain the soft feel, the outer fabric has a quilt batting, keeping the interfacing only on the lining fabric.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
The bento (lunch) box bag carrier is a must item for a picnic. This bag incorporates a napkin so that you can wrap the box in the bag using a triangular fabric for transporting it securely. Something you thought you had, but this is something new and convenient. So I would really like everyone to try this project.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
The edge of the triangle piece is treated by serging. If you change the color, it will be cute and decorative.
Instead of serging, you may also add extra seam, double fold the edge and sew to finish.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
It will be perfect for cherry blossom viewing and picnic or be very useful as an everyday lunch bag.

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

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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.

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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Puffy bag in Kokeshi fabric with bamboo handle

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.

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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