Relaxed Look Shoulder Bag

Size: 30cm (l) 45cm (w) at the top opening 10cm (d)

Yuki Inomata, a hand craft artist/popular blogger is introducing her creation of a shoulder bag featuring echino’s jacquard fabric. While “damask” has a classic design, it reflects echino-like elements with bird motifs. Using this special fabric, a unique piece of work with a bold combination of different colors was created.

Design & Work: ：Yuki Inomata

Fabric shown for this sample:　echino damask JG96150-51 (A), (C)

Materials：
□ Fabric (Panel A, B Strap): 80cm×60cm
(Panel C, D): 50cm×40cm
(Lining fabric): 50cm×80cm
□ Magnetic Clasps (hook type): 1 pair (1.8cm diameter)
□ Patch fabric or interfacing: 10cmx10cm

We interviewed Yuki about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
As this fabric has such an elegant feel, I gave a lot of thought as to what to create to make the best of its qualities. While you can utilize the fabric to its fullest in home décor pieces like a pillow case and curtain, I ventured to create a bag, making use of the design with a large surface.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
For seam treatment, you normally press the seam down to one side, but I tried a different method as this fabric is a jacquard knit with some thickness. I spent a lot of time thinking, “what item would be best to take advantage of the relaxed texture combined with this elegant fabric?” By piecing the same pattern in different colors, I ended up with a simple yet impactful bag.

KF:What are some tips for making this bag?
When sewing a knit fabric that is stretchable, a special thread called Resilon is used. For this project, I used a normal sewing thread. By maintaining the stitch size at 3mm, you will find it easy to sew.
When attaching straps toward the end of the process, you can create a fun and fanciful look by selecting different color threads for stitch lines to stand out.
The edge of the fabric is normally cut off and thrown away. But I incorporated it in this piece, which I thought was playful and enjoyable. I encourage you to try it.
You may substitute by pressing the seam open like the back side treatment in lieu of using the edge of the fabric as the instructions indicate.
When using the fabric edge, allocating the seam needs a little technique. So I recommend that the back side be created first, and then decide the seam width by layering the fabric to be precise.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
With a long shoulder strap, you can adjust it to the length you desire. You can make it a one-strap style right beneath the arm by tying it or turn it into a pochette with a long strap. Please adjust it to your liking.
This example sits right around the hipbone. Even with many items, it is easy to take things in and out, and it is designed to be kind to your shoulder.

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

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Shoulder Bag

サイズ：about 28cm (l) x about 42cm (w)
about 14cm (d)(not including shoulder strap)

Today’s project is a shoulder bag, made with Trefle Sparkle, a simple print using plenty of gold powder for its gold look. A slightly patchy look adds a stylish feel. #8 canvas, which is the thickest fabric that can be sewn with a household sewing machine, is perfect for making bags as it is solid and holds its shape.

Design & Work：Kokka Fabric

Fabric shown for this sample： P37700-701（A)

Materials：
□ Outer fabric 70cm x 110cm wide
□ Lining fabric 40cm x 110cm wide
□ Fusible interfacing (medium thickness) 70cm x 90cm wide
□ Wide tape 110cm x 45mm wide

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

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Lisa Grue(artist &Illustrator)

Mysterious textile inspired by Scandinavian forest

Danish designer Lisa Grue launched Scandinavian Diary, a new fabric collection in 2015. Fantastic motifs inspired by Scandinavia forest enchant us. Kokka-fabric digs into the story behind her creative work, characteristic humor, abundant ideas and feminine expression.

Kokka-fabric.com (KF): Can you tell me a little about how you got started designing textile?

I have actually got a bachelor in Textile design from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design. I ended up finishing my education in design with a Master in Graphic Design. But I never forgot my passion for doing pattern in Textile.That was a perfect combination for me.

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Kokka 2015 Fall Collection

In the first week of September, Kokka hosted its periodical trade show in Tokyo. Here is the preliminary report on the show with Kokka’s new textiles and latest collections.

Let’s start with “Pikku Saari”, the colorful and eye-catching textile from Finland, created by Eri Shimatsuka who is the Helsinki-residing designer. The motifs inspired by her daily life in the seaside city Helsinki are spread across the fabric.

These are other new brands by overseas designers that Kokka has collaborated with: Obiko (left) and MARISA (right).

Obiko is the creation of Linda Williams, the designer who is based in a seaside town of UK, Hastings. The not-too-cute yet witty textile can be great for making women’s bags or pouches.

MARISA is a fabric brand by the American textile designer, Marisa Anne, who has many followers on her official website “Creative Thursday”. The print with adorable animals or small flowers is great for kids’ clothing. The tiny print fabric is very versatile and appropriate for sewers of all levels of experience. With this fun fabric, enjoy your sewing projects, which include bags and garments.

Now this, echino! The extremely popular brand is introducing knitted jacquard fabrics for the upcoming season. The material can create something sophisticated, soft and subtle in a way that words can’t convey. This may bring innovation to your dressmaking with echino.

The latest collection of nani IRO Textile by Naomi Ito is here.

One of nani IRO basics “Fuwari fuwari”, which is paint-like and reminiscent of pointillism, is now available in brushed cotton! A girl’s dress made with the new fabric and a jacket of fluffy pre-quilted “Fuccra:rakuen” fabric were displayed next to each other in the trade show venue. Although each was made with different textures, they nicely harmonized to create a warm and comfy feel. This is naniIRO magic! No wonder why this textile brand is always attractive.

Every year, Kokka’s September show features a wide variety of fabrics to create items in preparation for the new school year in Japan. This year, the imitation of an elementary school classroom was set up in the venue. As if it had been a theatrical play for children, the classroom scene was truly recreated with popular fictional characters as students. Kids would have loved it!

In the picture below a shoe bag and a lesson bag made with Petite Ecole cotton series are displayed. In addition to many perfect fabrics for school items, new prints from Disney and Hello Kitty were presented at the trade show. Hopefully you will meet them soon at your local fabric store.

Did you enjoy our brief report on the lineup of latest collections from Kokka? In fact there are more textiles and stories we want to share with you. We will continue to cover brand-new fabrics in our Textile Story column. Don’t miss it!

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Report on the award ceremony for the 4th Kokka Print Textile Competition

Continued from the last article, here is a special report on the award ceremony for the 4th Kokka Print Textile Competition held on August 22 at Yoyogi Uehara CASE gallery, Tokyo.

The prize-winning artworks were displayed on a white wall. In the picture below, the first one to the left is the grand prize winning work by Kurara Omichi. The second to the left is by the runner-up, Ako Sakamoto.