Clutch Bag

size：27cm (l) x 38cm (w)

Strapless and handleless clutch bags are increasingly gaining popularity in the world of handcrafts. Responding to this move, a popular blogger, Yuki Inomata came up with an attractive bag for today’s project using “Alice in Wonderland” themed fabric from nunokara x Etsuko Furuya collaboration series.

Design & work： Yuki Inomata（neige+)

Fabric shown for this sample:：　：
（Outer Fabric A)nunokara× Etsuko Furuya HFG100-1 (A)
（Outer Fabric B)nunokara× Etsuko Furuya HFG100-2 (A)
（Lining Fabric）nunokara× Etsuko Furuya HFG100-2 (B)

Materials：
□Fabric（Outer Fabric A）：40cm×30cm
（Outer Fabric B）：40cm×30cm
（Lining Fabric, Pocket）：70cm×60cm
（Edge Fabric）：10cm×10cm
（Tag）：10cm×10cm
□Interfacing：40cm×60cm
□Zipper：One zipper (length 35cm)

We interviewed Yuki about her creation:
Kokka Fabric（KF) : What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Yuki Inomata (YI): The overall fabric is so cute that I did not even know which portion to use. I made a point of choosing the design where Alice and the rabbit appear together. A large pattern comes alive when you use it like a big illustration rather than using it for small items.

KF: Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
YI: The clutch bag was selected since the canvas fabric has tension and is suitable for a well-tailored item like a bag. You expect this type of bag, which is carried under your arm to securely hold the items inside, to be somewhat solid yet not too soft. An interfacing is adhered to the fabric to give it more body.

KF:What are some tips for making this bag?
YI: What seems most difficult in the making process is attaching the zipper, which is an important element. How do you handle this? Your sewing machine most likely came with a zipper foot attachment. If you have it, please use it as it will ease the process and will lead to a clean finish. If you don’t have it, you might as well purchase it this time.

KF:How should we use this bag in everyday situations?
YI: A4 (210mm × 297mm) size documents and items fit perfectly in this bag. It is convenient to use as a case when carrying important documents in a tote bag. You can also use it as a secondary purse in addition to a main bag. Clutch bag is a modern interpretation of what we used to call a second bag. While the only difference is how you call it, the clutch bag gives such a classy impression. I wonder why?

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

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Gathered skirt made only with straight stitches

Size: Skirt length 55cm

Today’s project is a skirt made with stripe patch fabric from Joielinne. It has colorful tones and is perfect for all seasons. The creator, Kaori Sawa came up with very simple instructions that only require straight stitches that make it easy for sewing beginners.

Design & work ：Kaori Sawa（Caunes+ Kaori*ri)

Fabric shown for this sample：Joielinne P26800-801 (A)

Materials：
□ Fabric: 90cm×130cm
□ Elastic tape: 65cm (2cm width)

We interviewed Kaori about her creation:
KF （kokka fabric：以下、KF) What did you think of the fabric you used for this project?
Since the fabric is thin and soft, I thought of using the entire design to make it attractive.

KF:Can you tell us any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
In order to display the design all around, I incorporated the gathering. It can be worn all year round – single layer in the summer (add a petticoat if you want to avoid seeing through) or layered look with tights or pants underneath in the winter time.

KF:What are some tips for making this skirt?
It can be made very easily as it only requires straight stitches. When putting through the elastic tape, use a safety pin and a clip to keep it from coming off. Try to make variations as you can create a different look by having extra gathering to make it more fluffy or by changing the length of the skirt.

KF:How should we wear this skirt in everyday situations?
The cute design of the skirt will be enhanced with a solid color top. For the winter season, a pair of boots can create a lovely look.

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

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Cartonnage Round Box

Size: 18cm (h), 24cm (bottom diameter)

We are introducing a project using a Finnish textile. It is an interior décor item made with AJATUS. This fabric is covered with striking panda graphics. Familiar to this column, Mihoko Sugiyama has returned to share her new cartonnage project.

Design & work ：Mihoko Sugiyama (happiness box)

Fabric shown for this sample：　 (Main body – exterior, bottom inside, lid–top portion) Finlayson ”AJATUS” JG43100-1 (A)

Materials：
□Fabric (Main body – exterior, bottom inside, top lid exterior) : 90cm×50cm
（Main body – interior, lid-side portion, top inside）：90cm×70cm
（Main bottom exterior）：30cm×30cm
□Cardboard: 1.5mm thickness, One A1 sheet
2.5mm thickness Two A2 (42cm x 59.4cm) size sheets
□Kent Paper: A1 size and B4 size – One sheet each

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Inspiration file 47
A clutch bag with laminated fabric

Unstable weather may more often occur during early spring by alternating summer-like warm days and stormy chilly days. Spring makes you feel like going out even if you preferred not to do it during cold winter. With the coming of spring, items for outing such as bags and pouches have been more popular to create among sewing lovers.

Do you remember a clutch bag, which was recently featured in our Craft & Sewing column? Since the sewing tutorial was by Yuki Inomata who is a popular craft blogger in Japan, that article has logged many hits. For each front and back of the bag, Inomata chose two prints from “Alice in Wonderland” fabric collection that was also covered in our Textile Story column; a grown-up taste print titled “Alice”, which the novel’s tale’s supporting characters are depicted in silhouette, was used for one side. The other side was with “Rabbit” print of the white rabbit on dots. You might think, “Having such an elaborate clutch bag with two different prints must be so cool. Sewing the zipper is not easy though…. I still want the bag. All right, I’d better go for it!”

Besides the double-sided clutch bag, Inomata made another bag in B5*) size with “Trump” print from the collection. In the above picture is the one. Look closely and you will find it is shiny! Inomata picked the one from laminate-processed “Alice in Wonderland” fabric collection. Laminate fabric is regular woven cotton on the wrong side and is coated with a plastic finish on the right side.
Since laminate coating keeps the fabric from fraying, there is no need to trim the edge and no need to prewash.

Inomata gives specific suggestions on how to sew with laminated fabric, “Use a longer stitch length (3mm or larger). Size 14 sharp sawing machine needle may work better. Binder clips can be used to hold the edge of your fabric pieces together in lieu of using pins.” Regular pins leave permanent holes in the material.

She adds, “Using a Teflon coated presser foot on your sewing machine is very helpful. If you don’t have it, apply a masking tape or painter’s tape to the wrong side of the fabric to slide through your machine easily. This also helps you for top stitch on right side of the fabric to finish zipper installation.”

It makes some sense that the presser foot on your sewing machine should be changed, depending on the fabric type or sewing task required. Laminated fabric is deemed challenging so far. But it is still worth the challenge, considering how convenient the items made from laminated fabrics are. Inomata continues, “The great advantages of laminated fabric are durable and waterproof. While raining, the bag with laminated fabric will keep your items from water damage.”

Water-resistant fabric! It sounds so fantastic! The fabric is perfect for a variety of projects such as bags, tablecloths and placemats. If you have never used the laminated fabric for your sewing projects, it’s time to do it!

*) B5 is one of International ISO standard paper sizes, which is a 250×176 mm or 9.84×6.93 inch.

2014 echino Collection Part 3

A wide 150cm-width fabric that you can enjoy making home décor items

A very popular echino series is here again. echino collection’s 2014 theme is “echino x kika.” It is a collection with a mixture of motifs and graphical geometric designs that are inspired by things found in nature such as animals and plants. Following the collection featured in this column back in February, three new designs are introduced. The material is cotton (85%) and linen (15%) broadcloth, which is different from echino’s standard cotton canvas fabric. This fabric is easy to handle with a wide width at 150cm. Utilizing its bold design, it is perfect for home décor items as well as for making garments like a shirt or a dress.

seed　JG95210-10 Cotton/Linen Broadcloth

Large plant seeds and small seeds that are about to pop are expressed in a rhythmic manner. The design is bold yet suitable for different types of projects.

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