Gathered Skirt with a Ribbon Accent

Size: Skirt length 75.5cm

The featured project is an easy-to-make skirt only requiring simple cutting, sewing and finishing with elastic tape. The fabric used is Cross from the TSUMIKI series. It is a lovely textile with uneven flocking print. A popular blogger and handcraft artist, Yuki Inomata is here to introduce her creation.

Design & Work: Yuki Inomata

Fabric shown for this sample:　TSUMIKI PG102-1 (B)

Materials:
□ Fabric: 90cm×1.4m
□ Elastic Tape: 70cm x 2cm wide

We interviewed Yuki about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
When I first saw the fabric, it did not inspire me to make a bag. The flocking treatment throughout the fabric is so lovely that I wanted to make a piece of clothing to make use of it

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
The most distinguished characteristic is the use of the fabric edge as the hem. The treatment on the fringe is another unique accent. The ribbon part uses the flocking inside out, creating a different feel for the same material.

KF: What are some tips for making this skirt?
It’s an easy-to-make skirt only requiring simple cutting, sewing and finishing with elastic tape. I came up with the instructions without a pattern and easy steps. You can make it easily as long as you have the required measurement of fabric. It will make me happy to see people making this skirt when they encounter a fabric they like.

KF: How should we wear this skirt in everyday situations?
Featuring two different designs on both sides, it has the feel of a wraparound skirt, with an addition of ribbon to create a high-end look. The finished design allows you to enjoy the skirt in different positions with ribbons on the side, front or on the back. The color of the skirt may be too light for the fall/winter season, but it can be balanced by coordinating with deeper color leggings or stirrup pants underneath, looking stylish with ankle boots. For summer, it can be enjoyed cool and casually with a pair of sandals. It is a slightly translucent material, so you will want to put on something underneath.

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

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PUTITE ECOLE

A gym class or a music class?

The fun school life of animals is turned into a fabric! The name of the series, “PUTITE ECOLE” means a tiny school. As the name depicts, a variety of scenes happening in animal school are featured. Look, animals like a slightly tall bear and giraffe, a small mouse and rabbit are all enjoying life in school in their own way.

Exercise　H10600-600 Cotton Linen Canvas

It’s time for the gym class for the animals. They are lined up to practice the radio exercise, a popular Japanese exercise routine. Aren’t they cute?

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Eri Shimatsuka (designer)

Feel the breeze of Finland through her textile

“PIKKU SAARI” featured in our Textile Story column in this October is one of the textile lines inaugurated at Kokka 2015 Fall Collection. When PIKKU SAARI finally got commodified, we put the photo of “SAARIST”, which is one of prints from PIKKU SAARI and depicting the islands in the sea surrounding Helsinki, on our Instagram page. Instantly, “like” posts for the photo took off as well as international comments about the textile, such as “I want it!” and “Where can I buy it?”. Here is the interview with Eri Shimatsuka, who is the creator and designer of PIKKU SAARI giving you the breeze of Finland through her textile.

(Pic: Shimatsuka’s home-cum-studio in Helsinki. She enjoys the view of a maple tree and the changing of seasons through the big window in front of her desk.)

Kokka-fabric.com (KF): You were born in Japan but currently live in Helsinki, Finland. Could you please tell us why you moved to Helsinki?

It goes all way back to my junior high school days. At the age of 13, I was asked by my mother’s friend if I was interested in joining in a summer homestay program in Finland. It was a completely unexpected question for me, and I had no knowledge about the country. Somehow, I said yes. It was my first trip overseas. Everything was so new to me, and I really fell in love with Finland. The intoxicating experience induced me to study English more as well as greeting phrases in Finnish.
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Premium Double Gauze

The charm of this fabric is a new for you!

A double gauze fabric filled with richness and a nice soft texture that fits your body line is here! A woven cotton and Rexcell blend premium double gauze will add a special feel to your everyday handmade clothing.
“Double gauze is a popular fabric among hand craft enthusiasts. I often heard them saying, ‘It clings to other garments.’ or ‘It’s leathery and spreads out.’ By weaving in the Rexcell, it created smoothness and a great fit to your body. It is natural yet has a good fit. When sewing a skirt or a dress, it creates a soft and beautiful silhouette without having the hem spreading out widely.” (By Sakurai, designer)

Blanket　P38300-300 Double Gauze with Rexcell

“The image behind this design is a leisurely and warm atmosphere inside the house on a cold winter day. The layer of deep colors suited for fall and winter will go well with a knit or a coat. It expresses a happy moment, feeling warm wrapped in multiple layers of blanket.” (by Sakurai)

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1.2m Ready-To-Sew Four Piece Set

Size: Refer to the pattern on instructions 　

Today’s project is a bag made from four cut-outs of motifs printed on the fabric. It is a smart design with ready-to-sew handles. Please adhere fusible interfacing prior to cutting the motifs. For lining fabric, a solid fabric in a color that matches the color of the motif will go well together.

Design & Work:Kokka Fabric

Fabric shown for this sample:
　P38900-900 (B)

Materials:
□ Outer Fabric 110cm wide × 120cm
□ Lining Fabric 110cm wide × 120cm
□ Fusible interfacing (medium thickness) 110cm wide × 120cm
□ Flat knit zipper One piece (30cm long)