Inspiration file39
Heartwarming little houses

It is still as cold as ever. Following last week’s column on the knitted stuff, today I am featuring heartwarming miniature products.

The ceramist Yuko Kitahara created the little houses in the picture. She has produced pottery ornaments and accessories in the motif of familiar things such as house, church or bird. All are small enough to fit in your hand. Can you believe the white-walled house on the left in the picture is just 1cm wide and 3cm high?

Kitahara says, “My little houses are inspired by the stone-built castles and cottages as seen in medieval European paintings. I should be careful throughout all steps of the production process to depict old textured walls and indescribable coloration of roofs.”

Kitahara’s various little houses are displayed in solo and group exhibitions several times a year, some of which are: a farmhouse with gable roof, a honey-colored house in Provence region in France, or a castle with tower. It’s easy to lose track of time viewing those fascinating houses in different colors and styles.

If you are afraid that making pottery is too difficult, shopping for pottery at craft shows may be one of the ways you enjoy it. By putting a little pottery item on the shelf near the front door, you can make a welcoming atmosphere in the entrance hall. Add flowers or plants, and it will become a lovely interior decoration. How about pairing the pottery with sewn fabric items such as pincushion, drink coaster or yo-yo quilt to create a new synergy? Thus, pottery is a versatile product to make your living space more expressive and joyful.

The handcrafted item, even though it is little, will always warm your heart and your life. Please enjoy this cold weather with your heartwarming creations.

For Yuko Kitahara’s blog, go to http://buuchanday.exblog.jp

Grandrelle Yarn Knit Fabric

A perfect choice for a kid’s hoodie or sarouel pants

The slightly thicker knit fabric is stretchy and perfect for a kid’s hoodie or a pair of sarouel pants. A single color print design lies over a mixed gray color background. This color combination is not too loud and easy to coordinate with other fashion items. Star and pop designs have matching tones and make it easier to coordinate two different designs. You can come up with creative combinations by using the pop design for the main body and the star design for pockets. A kid’s leggings under a denim skirt is a cute idea for this fabric.

Star P25400 400 Grandrelle yarn knit

A single color star design with a hand drawn touch is easy to coordinate. For the cold season, you may want to make a cap or a muffler by combining different winter materials such as denim or raised fabric.

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A toy chest

A fabric filled with cute things, just like a toy chest

The first fabric we are introducing in 2014 is “A toy chest”. As its name depicts, the design represents cute and fun things like a box of toys. An illustrator, Eri Tasaka, created a collection of exciting motifs such as music and travel, adding a lovely touch to the design. Animals and vehicles are drawn with a touch of crayon strokes. With such cuteness, this fabric is perfect for making items for a new school year or matching bags for mom and child. A large size design motif will create a beautiful framed artwork for a child’s room.

Travel print　　JG-36500-500 Oxford (Ox)

Fun road trip scenes with your dog, loaded with lots of luggage are portrayed. As the design covers the entire fabric, it is perfect for making a bag. The use of green and blue may be suitable for boys’ new school year items such as school bags and shoe bags.

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Puffy bag in Kokeshi fabric with bamboo handle

Size (roughly): 29cm (H), 40cm (W), 12cm (D)

From a series of fabrics that feature traditional Japanese motifs with pop sensibilities, the Kokeshi design was selected for today’s bag project. Yumi Kanaya is the creator of this lovely bag.

Design & work created by　Y*RT2 HANDMADE Yumi Kanaya

Fabric shown for this sample:
　P26300-301 （D)

Materials:
□ Fabric (Outer bag A, Drawstring Bag outer bag A）：110cm×60cm
(Outer bag B, Drawstring Bag outer bag B）：80cm×30cm
(Lining bag, pocket, lining for drawstring bag）：90cm×70cm
□ Interfacing : 90cm×80cm
□ Torchon Lace: 1.4m (2.5cm width)
□ Lace : 20cm (3cm width)
□ Cotton cord: 1.3m (size 0.3cm )
□ Button: Two pieces (size 1.5cm)
□ Handle: One pair (inside width 19cm)

We interviewed Ms. Kanaya about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think about the fabric you used for this project?。
YK(Ms.Yumi Kanaya): When I first saw the photo of the fabric, the Kokeshi design looked small but it was actually a lot bigger than I thought. I found the use of the colors really bold. Because of the Kokeshi motif, I initially thought of creating something with a Japanese feel. After actually seeing the fabric, my idea changed. The colors are somewhat Scandinavian, so I made something cute and girly.

KF: Can you tell us about any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
YK: Utilizing the big design motifs, I created a large-size bag. Bamboo handles add Japanese taste, while pink gingham check and black Torchon lace bring out its cuteness. It is a handbag with many gathering as a design accent. To keep the delicate and puffy look of the gathering, a thin interfacing is adhered to make it more durable. It is also wide and can hold a lot for its size. Inside pocket is convenient for carrying small items.

KF: What are some tips for making this bag?
YK: It may look difficult to make with gathering and gusset, however it is very easy. You don’t even need a pattern and the fabric is hardly wasted. You only need to cut the fabric to squares and it requires simple straight stitches. There is no need for basting. Once you feel comfortable, you may skip using the pins. To make this go smoothly, the important thing is the preparation. When cutting the fabric, make sure you measure it precisely. Iron the fabric to keep the shape as you go through each step. Also keep the width of the seam allowance consistent while stitching. Lastly, please be careful with the direction of the print so that the design will not be upside down.

KF: How should we use this bag in everyday settings?
YK: Of course it is great for an everyday use. In addition, this bag can go well with Japanese kimono. It will be unique with an antique kimono or look girly with outfits in natural color tones.

KF: Thank you very much, Ms. Kanaya! Here are sewing instructions along with step by step photos from her. Enjoy crafting! Drawstring bag is shown here

Instructions: How to make Puffy bag

1.

Cut the outer bag fabrics.

2.

Cut the torchon lace to match the length of the front outer bag fabric.
3.

Place the torchon lace at 0.5cm from the edge of the gingham check fabric and stitch over.

4.

With front/outer sides facing each other, put the check fabric from Step 3 and Kokeshi fabric together. Run a stitch next to the stitch line from Step 3, as close to the edge as possible. (By doing so, the lace will look clean and consistent with maximum areas showing.)

5.

Attach the lace to both edges and press down the seam using an iron. Make sure that Kokeshi design is facing the right direction.

6.

Adhere interfacing on the back of the fabric from Step 5. Make it about 3cm short of the outer side. This will reduce the thickness when attaching the handle.

7.

Cut the lining fabric. Cut the pocket sideways. Attach interfacing only to the pocket fabric. To make a loop, fold the pocket fabric in half, fold in the sides and sew onto the lining fabric. The opening of the pocket should be at 8cm from the top edge.

8.

Lining bag fabric is placed over the outer fabric. (Please don’t be concerned that the lining fabric is shorter than the outer bag.)

9.

Fold the outer bag in half. From the fold line (at the bottom), sew for 25cm. Leave the top side open without sewing. Sew the other side edge. Repeat the process for the lining fabric, except you only sew 24cm from the fold line (at the bottom). (By keeping the lining shorter, it will fit perfectly inside and have a clean look).

10.

Cut off the corner edge of the bottom fold line in a square (5cm x 6cm). (This will make the gusset). Repeat the process for the lining fabric.

11.

Open the cut area to a triangle shape and sew the gusset. Repeat the same process on the lining fabric.

12.

With front/outer sides facing outside, fold the top side opening inside and stitch over to piece them together.

13.

Double fold the top opening at 3cm and press with an iron. (this will cover up the inside lining.)

14.

Place the bottom of the bamboo handle at the top opening and wrap around with the folded fabric. Run a stitch over the opening to secure the handle. Since the length of the fabric is a lot longer than the length of the handle, gather the fabric little by little as you run the stitch.

15.

The picture shows when both handles are attached.

16.

To reinforce and to embellish the base of the opening, attach the motif lace and button to complete.

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

Sarouel pants in grandrelle yarn knit fabric

Size: For kids with 90cm – 110cm body height

Today’s project is a pair of sarouel pants using a stretchy and thick grandrelle yarn knit fabric. The sarouel pants originate from the ethnic attire of the Islamic cultures. With short inseam, these pants are known for having a loose silhouette. Masumi Saito, with her second daughter as a model in the photo, is introducing her creation.

Design & work created by:Masumi Saito（sinafuku*)

Fabric shown for this sample (front and back pants): P25400-401(A)

Materials:
□ Fabric (front and back pants) : 60cm x 100cm
(Waist, Bottom Hem): 90cm×10cm
□ Elastic tape: 1m (1cm width)

We interviewed Ms. Saito about her creation:
Kokka Fabric (KF): What did you think about the fabric you used for this project?
MS(Ms.Masumi Saito): Since this fabric has a design that is suitable for both boys and girls, I decided not to make a skirt, but rather make a pair of unisex pants.

KF:Can you tell us about any special elements or ideas that you incorporated into this creation?
MS: I tried to come up with an easy and simple design with few steps to follow.

KF:What are some tips for making these pants?
MS: With a right level of stretch, it should be easy for people who are not used to sewing a knit fabric. Make sure to use a special needle and thread for knit sewing.

KF: How should we wear these pants in everyday settings?
MS: Since the steps are easy, try to make many pairs for different occasions such as a room wear or extra change of clothes for kindergarten kids.

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

Instructions: How to make Sarouel pants

1.

Cut the fabric. Enlarge the pattern to the actual size per specifications on the PDF instruction sheet.

2.

Sew both sides and inseam. Run a zigzag stich or serge the seam allowance.

3.

With front/outer side facing each other, fold the waist fabric in half. Leaving a 1cm opening for elastic tape, sew the rest. Also fold bottom hem fabrics in half, with front/outer side facing each other. Leaving a 1cm opening for elastic tape, sew the rest.