Ready-to-sew fabric

A perfect fabric for making travel organizers and small cases!

The ready-to-sew fabric is here! Various cut-and-sew motifs appear all throughout the fabric. With this easy-to-sew fabric, you can quickly make large and small drawstring bags and cases. A variety of travel-related items – bags, shoes, headsets and cameras – are stylishly designed. They will definitely be useful as travel organizers. The excitement of the travel starts when you open your suitcase – this fabric will help create a fun atmosphere.

Making Cloth (ready-to-sew fabric) 　P28200-200　#10 Canvas

Perfect for both men and women, monochrome tones and cold colors complete a cool image with this fabric. You can quickly make drawstring bags using a cut-and-sew motif or create a stylish applique by combining with other fabrics.

Inspiration file48
A tray with marguerite daisies embroidery

While cherry blossoms are falling, the pink-tinted streets in Tokyo are turning light green with fresh leaves and buds. Floral shops are full of colorful flowers as if to manifest spring is really here. In the above picture is an item I found during a time when floral motif tends to be more popular especially in spring. This is so graceful, isn’t it? The “cartonnage” tray with embroidered marguerite daisies was created by Chigusa Inoue who leads her embroidery and crafting class named Atelier Claire. Cartonnage is the art of making fabric-covered stationary items, which originated in France.

Inoue says, “Since I encountered embroidery and cartonnage, I have felt pleasure in expressing myself through the creative activities with needles, threads, and fabrics. One day I thought, “How wonderful it would be if I could share such a fun thing with someone!” That is the reason I started to run my crafting class.”

During the small-group lesson with a cozy atmosphere, Inoue inspires her students to be careful with their works so their products will last into the future. Indeed, most of her cartonnage products shown in her website are in the classical taste. This marguerite daisies’ tray is the subject of her charitable lesson which partial tuition will contribute to The Great East Japan Earthquake Fund. Inoue continues, “I made the crafting tutorial of this tray with my prayer for anyone affected by the disaster would return to the way they were before as soon as possible. I recalled the importance of connecting with others, too. I hope each participant in the fundraising lesson will make their own tray hearty and lovely as symbolized by the marguerite daisies embroidered on it.”

The tray is in suitable size for temporarily storing embroidery tools, or to be used as a sweets serving tray when you have guests. It is also perfect as a wall hanging!

For further information about Inoue’s lesson, please go to
http://atelierclaire.com

Cami Dress

Size: Dress length 80cm

Today’s project is a cami dress made with “seed,” a 150cm-wide large print fabric from echino’s 2014 collection. This fabric contains a mixture of nature-inspired motifs like animals and plants combined with graphical geometric designs. Kayo Shimizu, who appeared in the past Inspiration column with her echino backpack creation, has returned with another interesting project.

Design & work ：Kayo Shimizu

Fabric shown for this sample：　echino JP95210-10 (A)

Materials：
□ Fabric: 150cm×120cm
□ Elastic Tape: 60cm (1cm width)

We interviewed Kayo about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Kayo Shimizu (KS): It is a beautiful fabric. The bright pink color stands out so much in the sea of gray. The color tone is versatile and seasonless. It is a great fabric for any type of project.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
KS: Since it uses elastic tape, it is an easy to wear, one-size- fits all dress. This dress is based on a design that I created before. I added a design twist to the previous version that was 15cm shorter at waist length. If you prefer a skinnier look, you can tighten the width toward the center on the pattern. This dress can also be worn as maternity wear.

KF: What are some tips for making this dress?
KS: Please pay extra attention when finishing the piping. Other than that, this is a relatively easy project. Also you need to make sure that both shoulder straps are at the same length.

KF: How should we wear this dress in everyday situations?
KS: Since it is a loose fitting dress, you may want to mix it with a slim look inner top or bottom. Cropped pants or rolled up pants, which will show part of your legs, will make you look very feminine.

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

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Throw Pillow Cover

Size: 45cm×45cm（for a 50cm×50cm pillow）

Today’s project is a throw pillow that comes in three colors, made with a polka dot border design from the Geometry of the Nordic series. It is a perfect complement as an accent for simple Scandinavian interior décor.

Design & work：： Izumi Sato

Fabric shown for this sample:　Geometric of the Nordic P28100-101（B)

Materials:
□ Fabric: 100cm×50cm
□ Interfacing: 10×50cm
□ Concealable zipper: One 56cm piece

We interviewed Izumi about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Izumi Sato (IS): This satin fabric has the right level of sheen and smoothness. It also has a soft, nice texture. It is not only suitable for clothing and interior décor items but also for bedding such as a blanket cover and pillow cases. A bold and pop design with large and small dots prompted me to make something that can be used as an accent for home décor.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
IS: Since it is a bold fabric, I created a throw pillow cover as an interior décor accent. This gives a fresh new look for a room makeover. With a slightly smaller case (45cm x 45cm), the 50cm pillow will be tight yet puffy.

KF: What are some tips for making this throw pillow?
IS: When attaching the concealable zipper, attach an interfacing on the seam allowance so that it prevents the fabric from stretching and reinforces the seam. Also using a zipper attachment helps to sew. Before turning over the fabric, make sure to press the seam. This way, the corners will look nice and clean when turned over.

KF: How should we use this throw pillow in everyday situations?
IS: Randomly placed pillows on a sofa or a wooden chair will look very cute. A single pillow could be an accent for your room décor. Multiple pillows in different colors will still look coordinated.

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

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Geometry of the Nordic

A fabric with Scandinavian taste

Like a Scandinavian interior print, this fabric incorporates geometric motifs such as simple dots and triangles. To soften the feel, painter’s techniques like gradation and patting have been added. Glossy and thin satin drapes beautifully, and it is perfect for making a tunic or a dress in a simple design. Why not make an outfit for an outing for spring through summer?

Scallop　P28100-100

The striped scallop design reminds you of a piece of paper cutting artwork. The irregular movement of the design almost creates a rhythmical feel. Among this series of fabric, this is the only design with small motifs. Clothing as well as small cases and coin purses will be perfect for this fabric.

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kokka-fabric.com/en

have fun with kokka fabric!

Ready-to-sew fabric

Inspiration file48
A tray with marguerite daisies embroidery

Cami Dress

Throw Pillow Cover

Geometry of the Nordic