Nijipp

Colorful animals are all gathered here!

Today’s fabric is by Niji$uke, the artist featured in KOKKA Fabric’s recent Inspiration column. The overall theme is colorful with animals as design motifs.

“The underlying theme is to create something for people of all ages and both sexes without being too childish or cutesy. Rather than repeating small motifs, the design consists of one big motif, spread fully over one meter. You can simply cut the fabric to frame and make a fabric board, or turn it into an oversized pillow. I hope you will challenge yourself to create something bold that you have never tried before.” (by Niji$uke)

Rainbow and Animals（Almost　all　collection）JG46000-1　Oxford (Ox)

Niji$uke says, “The animals are placed in a cheerful atmosphere with a backdrop of a sky at different times, like night and day or sunrise and sunset. The overall tone is colorful. The animals are placed at the top and the bottom in an inverted position with a background of the skies in various colors. It is great that you get two different patterns in one fabric.”
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Inspiration file52
Tsumami-zaiku accessories

At the end of April there was a hobby show in Tokyo, where various handicraft artists exhibited their creations. I bumped into a lovely accessory brand called ‘Tsumami –zaiku’ made by Tsuyutsuki.

‘tsumami-zaiku’ is a kind of Japanese traditional craft. The method of production is to pinch the fabrics with tweezers, and fold the fabrics into shape without using needles or threads. The name Tsumami is derived from this process.
This is the technique used to make Kanzashi, a Japanese hairpin.
Tsuyutsuki makes necklaces, corsages and hair pieces using cotton and linen instead of silk. Her concept is ‘tsumami-saiku suitable for daily wear’.

The above photo is her major masterpiece, a natural corsage.
‘I intend to choose chic colors which mature women can use. This is one of them. I use various shades of pink.’(Tsuyutsuki)
She sent several photos so let’s introduce them one by one.

This is an example how to wear the natural corsage. If we use it with a pearl necklace, even a simple dress could become gorgeous.

A white natural corsage. ‘This is one of my popular series as well as pink one. This is perfect for a children’s entrance ceremony. It works well for any style of dress.’(Tsuyutsuki)

A single-flower corsage. ‘Since it uses a two way pin: hair pin and safety pin, we can use in various situations such as bags, hats, and hair accessories’(Tsuyutsuki)

A flower clip. ‘Originally I made them for kids but they gained popularity among ladies as well. So, I began to make a chic color version.’(Tsuyutsuki)

Daisy necklaces. ‘These are inspired from lily daisies. They could be suitable as a first accessory for girls.’(Tsuyutsuki)

A mustard　colored decorative flower ball half. ‘The height of this round shaped tsunami-zaiku brings a sense of glamour. As it has a two-way pin, you can put behind your ears casually if you have a short cut hair style’(Tsuyutsuki)

You can enjoy her various masterpieces at her HP ‘Tsumami-zaiku Tsuyutsuki’:
http://tsuyutsuki.jimdo.com

Six-patch hat for kids

　Size: 54cm (around the head)

Today’s creation is a six-patch hat made with Cheering Bear fabric from the pokefasu series. On this fun fabric, playful bears with pompons are randomly scattered. The groaning bear motif, with its mouth wide open, is perfect for a kid’s item. The idea filled popular artist, Masumi Saito, aka sinafuku, is here to introduce her work.

Design & work：Masumi Saito（sinafuku)

Fabric shown for this sample:　pokefasu Cheering Bears JG45100-1 （A) (B) (C)

Materials:
□ Fabric: (Outer fabric A, B, C) 40cm×30cm each
(Lining fabric) 100cm×30cm
□ Elastic Tape: 60cm (1cm width)

We interviewed Masumi about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?

Since the look of the groaning bears is so realistic, I intentionally wanted to make an item for babies and kids.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
This series comes in a pretty color lineup and I used all three to create a color combination that looks like a circus tent. The brim is long and fluttering. This way it will not hang over your eyes and not be bothersome.

KF: What are some tips for making this hat?
When sewing six pieces of fabrics together, pay extra attention on the top side for a clean finish. Don’t skip on ironing in key process steps.

KF: How should we use this hat in everyday situations?
The hat is reversible. If you change the fabric for each side, you can enjoy a different look depending on your mood for the day!

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

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Lunch Bag

Size: 30cm (top opening width), 18cm (bottom width), 12cm (height), 12cm (depth)

This lunch bag is made of a fabric designed with lovely hedgehogs that remind you of a Scandinavian toy. Mioko Sugino, a famous blogger who is also known as komihinata is here again to introduce her creation. The bag is cute with a ribbon and secured with a zipper. It is a bag filled with many ideas!

Design & work ： Mioko Sugino（komihinata)

Fabric shown for this sample:（Front/outer fabric）P29700-701 (B)

Materials:
□ Fabric: (Front/outer fabric) 40cm×20cm
(Front/outer fabric – bottom) 40cm×30cm
(Lining fabric, Ribbon) 60cm×40cm
□ Zipper (Flat knit): One piece (30cm length)

We interviewed Mioko about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Mioko Sugino (MS): A line drawn hedgehog is so lovely. I immediately thought of making something for little kids. A toned down color is not too cute and feels just right.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
MS: While the zipper helps keep the bag closed securely, adding a ribbon makes it look lovely. The tied ribbon also works as a handle, making it portable.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
MS: The zipper is cut to a desired length by cutting off the stopper. Please be careful not to pull the slider all the way accidentally. The piecing of the sides need to be well aligned. Make sure to put them together securely. Use pins before sewing for a clean finish.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
MS: A matching drink bottle holder and place mat could make your lunch moment more fun♪

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

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Cami dress in double gauze fabric

Size: Dress length about 107cm

Today’s project is a cami dress made with “Sitting Geese,” a new double gauze cotton fabric from Ellen Baker’s Framework collection. A fabric artist, Kimie Shimizu, came up with a comfortable and relaxing dress in this soft texture fabric with lots of gathering.

Design & work：Kimie Shimizu（style of ile)

Fabric shown for this sample: Framework JG41800-800 (A)

材料：
□ Fabric: (Front and Back Body) 112cm width x 2.0m
(Strap (Linen)) 112cm width x 5cm
□ Button: One piece (1.5cm diameter)

We interviewed Kimie about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?

Kimie Shimizu (KS): It is a solid feel double gauze cotton and very easy to handle. Utilizing the softness of the double gauze, lots of gathering is added. I designed a relaxing cami dress as lounge wear.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
KS: This cami dress is made of two square fabrics. Rather than serging or using zig zag stitches for the edges, the fabric’s edges are utilized as the seam for this project.

KF: What are some tips for making this dress?
KS: When gathering the fabric, place them evenly on the front body fabric. For the back body, put more gathering in the center. Afterwards, make sure to press them with an iron so that it will be easier to attach the strap later.

KF: How should we wear this dress in everyday situations?
KS: The weight of the fabric creates a U shaped neckline. The dress can be nicely coordinated with a camisole shirt, tube top or a T-shirt. It is intended to be lounge wear, but this versatile design allows you to make a dress for outings if you use a different fabric.

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

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