Monthly Archives: October 2016

Flat Handle Tote

Size: 27cm (l) 38cm (w – opening) 28cm (bottom) 10cm (d)

The featured project is a tote bag made with echino ni-co’s sign, a hand drawn alphabet and bias stripe pattern fabric that will let you enjoy two different designs. The front pocket with a zipper will make this bag even more convenient. To match the color tone of the fabric, a fringe tied on the slider comes in a chic color. Depending on the season or your mood, you may play with different colors or materials.

Design & Work:Anriko


Fabric shown for this sample: echino ni-co JG90000-103 (A)


Materials:
□ Fabric (Main bag outer fabric, Handle): 110cm wide×80cm
(Main bag lining fabric): 40cm×60cm
□ Fusible interfacing: 80x40cm
□ Fusible tape: 20cm (1cm wide)
□ Zipper: One piece (15cm long)
□ Magnetic hook (sew on type): One pair (1.4cm diameter)
□ Faux suede tape: 1m (0.3cm wide)

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We interviewed Anriko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
This is not the first combination fabric from echino, but this one has a large design right in the center. I thought of making something that will feature both designs.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
While maintaining the masculine feel of the ni-co series, the pattern is linear. Since the handle is flat, you can enjoy a different look while holding a bag or when a bag is placed.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
The invisible zipper pocket is convenient to learn. Except for this pocket, the instructions are quite simple. Also, I came up with an easy to follow steps that would help hide the roughness of the stitches. There aren’t many places where the fabrics are layered, so a household sewing machine can do the job. Just to be safe, I used a #11 needle, and it was just fine.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
An easy-to-tie fringe is added to the zipper slider. Even a simple shaped bag will look stylish with such an accent. I highly recommend adding a bottom cardboard so that the square look of the bag will even stand out.

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

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visit artist file012 Ayumi Toda(fabrica uka designer)

Stylizing daily “things” and “happenings” in graphic style

It was this site’s Inspiration column (Japanese edition) in November, 2014, that Ayumi Toda and her hand crafted efforts were initially introduced. The article caught the attention of Kokka’s creative director and led to the birth of “tayutou” in June, 2016, which is her collaborative textile line with Kokka. Here is a special interview with such a great talent spawned from this site.

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Kokka-fabric.com (KF): Did you like handcrafting at an early age?

Yes. I loved home economics class since elementary school. I looked for hours at my mother sewing and often stayed in my auntie’s dressmaking room to make something with remnant. I was a happy homebody when I was young.
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Mini Boston Bag

Size: 18.5cm (l) 25cm (w) 11cm (d)

The featured project is a mini Boston bag made with a simple unisex design fabric, the ni-co collection from echino. With a strap, it can also be used as a shoulder bag. A contrasting material to a cotton linen, a tweed fabric is specifically matched as an accent. An outside slit-style pocket can fit a smart phone. While the size is small, the bag is filled with such user-friendly ideas.

Design & Work: Anriko


Fabric shown for this sample:echino ni-co JG90000-102 (B)


Materials:
□ Fabric (Panel, Opening, Pocket, Shoulder strap, Bias binding strip,
Bottom lining gusset): 110cm wide×70cm
(Handle, Decorative piece, tab, Bottom outer gusset): 50cm×30cm
□ Fusible Interfacing: 90cmx20cm
□ Zipper: 1 piece (35cm long)
□ Elastic tape: 2.5cm widex22cm
□ Swivel hook: 2 pieces (1.3cm inner diameter)
□ Slide adjuster: 1 piece (1.3cm inner diameter)
□ D Ring: 2 pieces (1.3cm inner diameter)

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We interviewed Anriko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
The masculine look of the automobile design may remind of you of an item for a boy, but I ventured to make something with a feminine shape. By combining it with a contrasting material, tweed, it turned out to be a playful bag suitable for mature women.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
The cotton canvas fabric is easy to handle, so I included many parts to construct this bag. The outer slit pocket is for a smart phone including the ones with a large screen. The bag itself is big enough to fit a large wallet and can hold a lot with an ample bottom gusset.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
Please use a #14 needle for machine sewing. With many layers of fabric added as the process progresses, you may want to replace the needle to prepare. The seam is treated with a piping, so the bag is solid and self-standing without adhering a backing.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
For this fall, the voluminous style is still in vogue, so a mini Boston shoulder bag will be a great accompaniment for this look. Since the bag is small, it will look so cute when a little child carries it.

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

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Kid’s Short Sleeve Shirt 

Size: 110cm

Using a double gauze print fabric, Neko Tokidoki Lion (Cat and Sporadic Lions) from Trefle Kids, a kid’s short sleeve shirt is the featured project.
Sporadically shown lions look so charming tucked among the lined-up cats. The buttons that match the color of the lion’s mane work well as an accent.

Design & Work:Kokka Fabric


Fabric shown for this sample:
P41200-200 (A)


Materials:
□ Outer fabric: 108cm wide x 110cm
□ Fusible interfacing (thin): 90cm wide x 60cm
□ Button: Four pieces (13mm diameter)

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Click here for Sewing Instructions (PDF format / A4 size)
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Chic Color Tones Suitable for Interior Décor

Continued from last week, echino’s ni-co is featured. Two graphical designs, sign and mark will both allow you to enjoy their simplistic design. The chic color tones are perfect for various interior design projects.

sign JG9000-103 Cotton Linen Canvas
JG90000-103_1JG90000-103_2

This hand drawn 110cm-wide graphic fabric has a bold design with a bias pattern on half of the fabric. Among the graphics, the name ni-co subtly appears. An interesting fabric that will let you enjoy two different designs at the same time is now created

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