Inspiration file 57
Super cute! Tiny Bag

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Sometimes used for keeping coins, sometimes for carrying accessories…. A palm sized tiny bag tickles girl’s hearts; and no matter how many we have, we want more. Kaori Sawa, handicraft creator aka. Caunes+KaOriRi is among the diehard fans of such cute bags.

Above is a bag made from pink linen decorated with suede flowers. It’s an extremely lovely figure! A pop-arty flower print can also be found the inner lining of the bag.
“This size is suitable for point cards and credit cards. We can also use this as a name card case.” (Kaori Sawa)

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This card case is inspired by the aesthetic of presents. Pale pink cotton with a purple velvet ribbon is used, with handles added in the same ribbon. We can create various designs dependent upon season and situation.

Sawa’s creation theme is ‘simple and kawaii (cute)’. Apart from ‘the tiny bag series’, she creates quite a few other sized bags and accessories. Each creation is made from unique fabrics and materials she is fond of collecting.

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The bag shown in the photo above is made from mangle cloth; German antique linen creates a gentle atmosphere by adding an old doily. The shape of this bag is the same as the mini purse with a drawstring bag we introduce in the craft and sewing column.

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The photo above shows circle shaped brooches which made of gathering fabrics. Brilliant pompom flower like colors would be fashionable accent for a chic and simple dress.

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You can see Sawa’s creations at:

blog  http://ameblo.jp/caunes
Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/caunes

Pumps Shaped Small Case

Size: 8cm (w) 20.5cm (l) 

What a fashionable zipper case in the shape of pumps! #11 canvas material is solid yet easy to sew with a household sewing machine. A perfect fabric for making small items.
Today’s project is by Yui Tamaki, a creator of popular small handmade items filled with her stylish ideas.

Design & work:Yui Tamaki


Fabric shown for this sample: P30100-100 (A)


Materials:
□ Fabric: (Front outer fabric, back fabric) 25cm×30cm
(Lining fabric) 15cm×30cm
(Toe outer fabric) 15cm×10cm
□ Coiled fastener (zipper): over 16cm in length – one piece
□ Ribbon of your choice

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We interviewed Yui about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
It feels modern with a crisp look, so I thought of something cool in mind: a pair of pumps.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
I was selective as to which part of the fabric to cut since I wanted to include as many colors as possible. It does not take a long time to make this piece as the edges are finished with a faster process using French seams.

KF: What are some tips for making this case?
Please be careful and sew slowly as most edges are curved. The design is asymmetrical, and please pay attention to sewing the correct sides of the fabric and pattern.

KF: How should we use this case in everyday situations?
It is flat and does not take up a lot of room in your purse. It is perfect as a pen case with a couple of pens inside.

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

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Lighthearted 2

Enjoying a variety of color combinations

Continued from last week, today’s column features a retro and bright print fabric, Lighthearted. This series consists of various designs including culinary-themed illustrations, small flowers, polka dots, alphabet letters, biased check and small dots. These designs are then put into three groups based on their colors, and not by their patterns. Following last week’s tangerine orange fabrics, the color groups of mint green and tricolor are featured today!

Mint Green HFG_105 B Cotton Broadcloth
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This group uses mint green as a base color with the opposite color, rose pink as an accent. The idea behind these color selections is to propose that it can be interesting to incorporate contrasting colors. With either mint green or pink featured in each fabric, it looks pleasing when matched even with other fabrics in the same group.

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Lighthearted

Retro and bright print like the designs from 1930s

“Lighthearted” means fun, cheerful and interesting. As the name depicts, this happy and fun print fabric reminds you of the thirties in the US with its retro design and crisp color tones. Based on the tones, the series consists of three color groups – orange, mint green and tricolor. Using fabrics of the same color group creates a consistent look. Border designs with English alphabets and lace motifs are suited for handles and design transitions. The possibilities are endless. Today’s columns features the first group, orange toned fabrics.

 HFG_105 Cotton Broadcloth
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Alphabet letter ornaments are created using three groups of the Lighthearted series of fabric.

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Inspiration file56
 Large Pouch with a Hedgehog print

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Few month ago We introduced a lunch bag by Mioko Sugino at the craft & sewing page. Soon after that, I found the same pouch in a different color on her blog. It could be thought of as ‘a bag’ rather than ‘a pouch’ due to its size. The lunch bag at the craft & sewing page was pink but this pouch is a balmy blue. I was eager to introduce this pouch in this column, so I asked Sugino to send me some photos.

As hedgehogs are depicted in etching-like illustrations, it avoids being too cute in spite of the animal motif. That’s why this fabric is so charming. Sugino incorporates an ocean blue polka dot with a blue hedgehog print.

The inside features yellow dot on a solid blue.
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The gusset is comfortably wide and the handle is a powder blue tape.
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“This pouch is perfect size for travel. The handle comes in useful at the hot spring.”(Sugino)
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This hedgehog print is available in natural, mustard yellow, and also comes in pink and blue.
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When Sugino introduced this fabric to her blog. She was so pleased to hear her readers commenting, ‘I want this fabric!’. We regret to tell you that our site doesn’t provide a mail order service. But you can find web shops who deal in this fabric. Recommended key words are ‘hedgehog’, ‘hedgehog animal’, ‘cotton-linen canvas’ etc. Have a try….!